It's hard to believe that this year was my 7th year participating in this show. On one hand, because it's crazy that I am been doing this for so long and on the other hand it means I'm getting old! Maybe that explains why I accidentally set up my display backwards?

We got some much-needed rain (thankfully after I was finished setting up) which yielded this beautiful view from Head Lake Park. I wouldn't have seen this beautiful view if I wasn't hunting pokemon. I had told myself I wasn't going to download the game until after this show, but that definitely didn't last mostly because I couldn't remember the last time one of my friends has asked me if I wanted to go outside and play.

On Friday morning all the final details fall into place! I even had time to go for a nice long swim in the lake to cool off before a long hot day. I live for this lake on super hot days, and never hesitate to jump in when I'm getting a little too hot. I'm probably known as "the girl in the bathing suit" but I'm okay with that.

It was another weekend of interesting questions about my glass gummies.

Officially for the record: they are made of glass. No, you cannot eat them.

As I said, it was a scorcher of a weekend. During periods where I wasn't able to sneak away from my booth to take a dip, this "cool towel" was a life saver! They seem like one of those gimmicky impulse buys, but it worked wonders.

I always love how these colours just pop when they are out in the sunshine!

Turns out, not surprisingly, that when you actually remember to pack your jewellery busts, this part of your display looks way better! Added bonus, when these colourful abstract pendants are displayed on these, fewer people assume they are turtles and try to turn them upside down.

I rationed my candy well over the weekend, be proud.

One of the highlights of the weekend was going to Highland Cinemas in Kinmount and seeing Ghostbusters! Not only was the Ghostbuster reboot amazing (seriously, what is wrong with all the naysayers?) but this was the coolest little theatre I have ever been to. There was tons of cool memorabilia including, appropriately enough, the Stay Puft Marshmallow man!

Check out some of the cool old projectors on display!

And just like that, another show was over. Thankfully the weather cooled off just in time for tear down, nothing worse than the sun and heat beating down on you while you pack up. Until next year Haliburton!

I am well overdue for an update, so here it is:

First I should mention the One of a Kind show and how it was pretty much exactly what I expected it would be. I made some nice sales and met new customers, people seemed to dig my new work which felt really good especially after all of the uncertainty going in. Naturally, I gorged on delicious food from the food vendors (crostoli will always be my favourite). And I was so happy to see so many of my amazingly talented and lovely friends and of course meet some new ones!

The other side is that I got to deal with just as many rude people as I had predicted. I experienced people who scoffed at my prices and some who even told me to my face "oh I could make that". Thank god I have a sense of humour, and also thank god for the hilarious woman who told me all about her drug use in the 70s, people like that make the days go by quicker. And lucky me, these types of folk always manage to find me and tell me their stories!

Unfortunately the rudeness is rarely contained just to art shows. I had someone ask me today why I don't make "real jewellery". Again my sense of humour kicked in and I told her I much preferred my "imaginary jewellery". It still stings when people say ignorant things to me though. Before she spewed her rudeness at me and after an already frustrating morning I had some retail therapy and ordered from one of my favourite etsy shops Nervous System. I purchased a beautiful and long coveted 3D printed necklace/pendant that I am now even more excited to show off!

Oh and here are some pictures of my booth at OOAK for your viewing pleasure:

Most of all I want to give a big heartfelt thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for the exhibition assistance grant. There is absolutely no way I could have done the show without that help. Artist friends if you don't know about this amazing program, check it out.

Oh and some updates since my last post:

First and foremost, I love my office job. The company I work for is amazing, and I will be incredibly sad when my contract is up. So many people have been awesome and encouraging about this decision and I thank you! There have been a few exceptions that have given me this terrible look of pity when I tell them where I am working. To these people I say: I don't need your pity. So much stress has been lifted from my life and I'm the happiest I have been in a long time in a lot of ways.

One of the best things about having a bit of security is that I am able to pick commissions and shows that I really want to do. I just finished up a commission for a lovely lady in Ottawa a week or so ago and I truly enjoyed working on it. I feel like it's rare to have someone that knows what she wants but is easy going and also appreciates the value of something handmade (a great quality that I wish more people had).

Here is a little peek at my "froot loops" commission:

And now I am gearing up for summer shows, I really can't believe it is already that time again! I will be doing three this summer, here's the low down:

First:

Beaches Arts & Crafts Show

It will be my third time participating in the Beaches show. I'll be braving all the nonsense Toronto traffic, why don't you join me?

The details:
When: Saturday June 14th - Sunday June 15th
Where: Kew Gardens Park, 2075 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON
Times: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (both days)

Next on the docket is:

Guelph Art on the Street

This one has become one of my favourite shows to do, mostly because the people of Guelph are always a delight and always give me high fives. I could always use some more high fives if you want to visit this one.

The details:
When: Saturday July 12th
Where: Quebec Street, Guelph, ON
Times: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

and finally:

Haliburton Arts & Crafts Festival

And of course another favourite is the show up in Haliburton, this will be my fifth year at the show!

The details:
When: Friday July 25th - Sunday July 27th
Where: Head Lake Park, 23 York St, Haliburton, ON
Times: Friday noon - 6 pm, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm

So come visit me at one of the shows, I'm usually good for a hug or at the very least some high fives.

Blog