Events for late Fall 2013

For years, I participated in holiday sales every weekend in November and December, and earned the bulk of my income making and selling small items this time of year.  Back then, I was Cosmic Blue Monkey Designs and I made art and crafts from recycled materials of all kinds.  My booth looked like the showcase of an arts collective with hand-bound journals, totes made of upholstery scraps, decorative pillows, sweater hats and dresses, and a variety of mosaic items.  Around 2010, my mosaic work had reached a higher level of quality, and I realized I had to focus and do one thing very well instead of dabbling in everything.  I also had to face the fact that the income I earned during the holidays barely covered my expenses, and I felt exhausted by the whole process of making and pricing and packing and setting up and tearing down, as well as being absent from all of the weekend holiday festivities my husband and daughter were enjoying.  It wasn't worth it.

This is the only photo I could find of me tending my booth, several years back.  I'm wearing one of my sweater dresses.

So, I went through a business transformation, re-branding, delving full force into mosaic, and enjoying and participating in the holiday season rather than desperately hawking my wares.  But, I still like to set up for one or two events in November.

First, I'll be attending the Isis International Women Arts Festival for the first time.  I am not sure what to expect, but it looks like there will be visual artists, speakers and performance all day at the Burke Museum on the final day of an exhibit of women artists.  It is only one day, October 27th.
Here is the best link I can find for more information: https://www.facebook.com/isiswomen

A favorite of mine is the POSSCA/Friends of the Library art show and sale.  This year it is November 2nd & 3rd.  Artists pay a commission and proceeds go to support a local arts organization (POSSCA) and the library system.  I love that this fundraiser allows me to earn some sorely needed income while helping to support important organizations.

I don't know if you can read this poster.  This is the only site I can find to link to: https://www.facebook.com/possca

After the POSSCA sale, I'll be taking my work to Swing Wine Bar for an exhibit that will run through November and December.  All of my art panels will be on display, and I plan to have a meet-the-artist event, which has yet to be scheduled.  I'll post when I pin it down.

I do find that participation in events like these gets me out of the hermitage periodically, and I do enjoy the chance to see friends and talk to the public about my work.  It helps me to feel like part of a community, and earning some extra money during the holidays really helps my family.  So, this is the season for prepping and scrambling to finish artwork, organizing what is available, and getting a booth together.  And then off I go to hawk my wares, just a little bit.