This is how cool Deadheads are

Earlier this month at the Canandaigua Furthur show I ran into a fellow vendor who was selling these amazing wood burned boxes. I had to have one. On her table sat 3 stealie boxes like the one pictured below. The one I wanted had a lyric from one of my favorite Dead songs printed on the inside. I asked if she would set it aside until I made some money that day. She said that she would keep it out on the table to show potential customers what she could make but would not sell that one.

Later in the day after I had sold some spoons, I went back to purchase the box. She had accidentally sold the one I wanted. I asked if I payed her now, could she make me a stealie box with custom lyrics in it. We happened to be going to the same festival in just a few short weeks (All Good)  so she said she could do that and bring it there for me. I paid her for the box and we exchanged numbers so that we could find each other at All Good. 

All good turned out to be a much bigger festival than we were both expecting and because things get crazy, we never ran into each other there and truth be told, I had forgotten all about the box. Days later, I get a text from her letting me know that she had not forgotten about me and that she was going to mail me the box. And today, it came in the mail, even more beautiful than I remember. Such amazing artistry. I'm in love with it! 

Morel of the story: I guess it may be naive to trust in people I just met. It's been a habit of mine my whole life. But when I do, and it works out, my faith in the goodness of humanity is strengthened. Thanks Kat, for being the honest good person that you are. I wish you nothing but success and have no doubt that you will get it. Your work is beautiful, just like you. :) 

Find Kat's other unique creations here in her online shop: www.kataiia.com 

and don't forget to 'like' her Facebook Fanpage! 

How good was All Good?

Last Tuesday the 17th, my cousin Eric and I made the trek  from Rochester,NY to Legend Valley in Thornville, OH for the 16th annual All Good festival. I was particularly psyched to be accepted as a vendor because I feel like it is the crown and glory of all that I have worked for and love. Music and Art. But would it prove to be a success?

Lord knows that for the last few months I have been stressing out a bit about this show because of all of the unknowns. Will my booth be in a decent spot? Will people like my product? Did I make enough merchandise to sell? Well, the short answer is yes, yes and yes. 

I knew going in that I did not get a spot in the main venue. When they finally showed us the layout and where we would be vending, I was pretty pleased. "Shakedown" (the row of vendors I was placed with) was located in a spot where most everyone had to walk through to either get to their camping site, the main concert area or the second stage. and I was pretty much smack dab in the middle of all of the handmade vendors. Definitely a great spot.

Aly and Beau's booth, amazing OOAK clothing and accessories

I got really lucky and put next to an amazing couple who make one of a kind clothing, accessories and wooden creations. Aly, Beau and their friend Angie kind of took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. If it were not for them, my week in OH would not have been half as fun. 

So, here is the breakdown, was All Good all good?

All in all, All Good was worth it for me. If I was just speaking strictly about money making, I would say that I was a little disappointed, but because this was OH's first All Good (they had moved it from West Virginia) attendance can only get better and logistics as well.  Some of the other vendors mentioned to me that their sales were down from last year too. Having All Good on the same weekend as Gathering Of The Vibes doesn't help much either, but I bet that is all worked out next year. I definitely plan on keeping that weekend open for next year's event, if they will have me. 

In the main venue to see Bob and Phil rip it up 

Dragon dance right on Shakedown! 

Saturday night breakthrough!! Spoon dread beads!  (sold 2!)

Oh yeah, one last thing to put in the 'pro' category, I can actually relax a little for the rest of the summer because I went a little overboard in preparation for All Good. Still have a ton of stock left which means I'll be able to actually enjoy the next month or so. Maybe i'll do some bike riding, or a walk on the beach with the dogs perhaps...



                                                    

So Glad I Did NOT Get Into The Corn Hill Craft Show!!

Just got back from a stellar weekend of free vending, good friends, crazy dancing and amazing music. I could not have asked for a better time. Before this weekend, I was a little upset that I was rejected from the Corn Hill Arts Festival, but now I know that it all happened for a reason. So many beautiful memories were made over that 72 hours, I would not have given it up for the world!

Whats left of Friday's front row ticket

Friday I got to see my very favorite band, Furthur, Front row center isle. It was a dream come true. What makes this extra special was that this was my hometown show. Nothing better than being exactly where you want to be, and being in a crowd where there are MANY friends and friendly familiar faces.  

This is what it looks like with no heads in front of you

After the show we camped out at a friend's house in Canandaigua. Had some good food and good conversation by the campfire then some peaceful sleep after a great shower. (I might be a hippie, but I'm not a dirty hippie, lol) 

Saturday, I drove with my friend's Pat and Jordan to SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) to see the last two nights of a three night Phish run. We got to the parking lot and set up shop around 1pm. Got a great spot on Shakedown and ended up having a successful day on lot. 

One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting Kat O'Sullivan of Katwise. She is an artist who makes beautiful clothing out of recycled sweaters. I have been a fan of hers for years and have followed her journeys around the globe and here at home on her Facebook Fanpage. 

I was honored that she wore one of my spoon pendants! 

Whether she knows it or not, Kat has been a huge inspiration to me. After stumbling across her web site years ago, I e-mailed her and she took the time out to e-mail me back with some great advice about living the life you love. I took that advice and never looked back. 

Saturday's show was definitely in my top five of all time, I might venture to say top two actually. It was that good. I must have burned 1,000 calories that night dancing my ass off. 

Phish SPAC

Sunday was almost a carbon copy of Saturday. Another successful vending day on lot. The only thing that made it better was that my brother Todd decided to make the trek to SPAC for the final show. He is the one that got me into this crazy lifestyle and every day I am grateful he did so. 

Oh! I also ran into a few people who had purchased spoon pendants from me years ago. Here are some oldies but goodies: 

So many memories made, so many good times had, so much amazing music, I have never danced harder in one weekend in my life and I still ended up making almost as much money as if I had done an official craft show that weekend. I don't think I even thought about Corn Hill at all in those 72 hours. Yay for fate!!