Friday, May 25, 2012

The Art Show Shuffle

                                                                                                        by Kelli Pope
.......... and I'm dancing (shuffling) as fast as I can!!    AND, loving every minute of it!!!  My first show was 2 weeks ago. It's a 2 day outdoor show on Mother's Day weekend every year.  The first day was a blow out!  I was SO pleased!!  I almost doubled my 2-day total from last year.   The 2nd day it rained. Well, no..  it POURED!!  The field became a mud pit.   The coordinators told us we could leave early, but I and a lot of other artists  decided to stick it out for awhile.  After all, I had sent cards and e-mails to customers.  If they decided to venture out in the rain, then I was certainly going to be there. AND be there with a smile on my face.  I spent most of the day driving my help, Jan, crazy singing one of those silly songs that get stuck in your head.  (Have you seen the movie trailer for Madagascar 3?  The zebra singing "Circus Afro"? If not, you must google it!  It's quite funny, and will make you smile as well as everyone around you.... unless of course you sing it over and over and over and over on a rainy day... :o)     I did have some loyal customers come out in the rain with their umbrellas, jackets and galoshes to shop. 
           So, yes, all that was shuffling.  But the REAL shuffling goes on prior to the shows.  It's the jewelry making binges that really make me dance.  Again, I headed to my sister's house, with all of my prepared findings, beads, pendants, etc, and had several days of "creative therapy".    She's such a big help.  She pulls out all of the jewelry I have, and makes inventory lists, and organizes me (well.. as best she can).  She tells me where the "holes" are in the inventory...  "need more green earrings"... "you have 3 pairs of black earrings, and no necklace"... etc.     Below is the aftermath of the weekend.  Her piano was covered, as well as the piano bench behind it, and the window sills!    It was a GREAT session!  I think I left with 144 pieces.
  Here was one of my favorites.
And her beautiful flower gardens around the house inspired me, and put good use to some of my polka-dot beads.
         



Now to fill in the holes and get ready for next weekend's show.  Hopefully, rain or no rain, it will be another success. Either way, I'll have a great time, and meet some more wonderful people.   

12 comments:

stacilouise said...

I know this shuffle well, and though rainly shows can really stink sale wise, I find I usually have a blast with the other artists:) I am loving that last set with the flower. Just adore your work!!!

Julie Holmes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julie Holmes said...

Your work is gorgeous! I want a sister!

Julie Holmes said...

bleh...buggy internet...I posted the same thing twice! It's raining here in San Diego this morning...I think the internet is in shock.

Mystic Indigo said...

So happy you had a grand show..singing in the rain can't be a bad thing!!! Beautiful work and onward towards more success!

Thoughtfulhands said...

Love your work and I am drooling over the 5th picture down with the pinkish stones and the white flower...

Artisan Beads Plus said...

I love all of them! I am amazed at you working four 10 hour days at the insurance company and also being able to be as creative as you are and prepare for shows on top of it! How exciting that your sales doubled.....
MaryAnn

Kelli said...

Thanks all!! Mary Ann, it's what keeps me sane. Without a creative outlet, I think I would go crazy. Plus, like most artists, I find I MUST sell in order to afford my creative habits.;o)

Libby Leuchtman said...

Your work is lovely. I am always so glad to hear another artist having success at a show! Congrats.

Kelli said...

And Theresa, the pink/raspberry pieces are still available :)

Unknown said...

Oh how nice of your sister to give you a hand, the time together is priceless, right? ENVY!

Kelli said...

Shelley, it's absolutely priceless!!! She just helped me with an out of town show this weekend. We met at the hotel Friday afternoon, set up, then the show was dat and Sunday. We had so so much fun. I broke out the "circus Afro" song on her, too. :o)

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