Preparing for My First Beading Party

Four days left until my first beading party.  In the interest of giving me a little nudge (kick) to get the word out about the party service I offer, my friend has offered to host a Girls' Night Out beading party at her house.  She's providing the place, the food, the mimosas, and invited her work friends, neighbours, and cousins. We were planning on six guests.  As of Monday, only two people had confirmed, so she suggested I invite my friends from work.  I felt really uncomfortable because I felt like I was asking for money from my friends. I felt like I was selling Amway or Tupperware.  But, my friend had gone to a lot of trouble to plan this thing, so I bit the bullet and asked.  And to my surprise, several people accepted, and even seemed to be happy to be invited.  I felt encouraged, even excited.  I guess, if I think about it, I'd be happy to be invited to a party where I'd be taught a new skill and provided with the materials and tools to make something for myself, and at the same time get to eat nibbles, drink, and socialize.  I'm looking forward to this Saturday, and I'll let you know how it goes.

My Jewellery Booth

The first craft fair I participated in was organized by my neighbourhood Lions Club.  It was a Christmas craft fair at the community centre.  The table cost $35.00, and the sale hours were from 9:00 to 5:00.  I spent three weeks before the sale furiously making inventory, not sure how much I might sell, or even how much inventory I would need to cover my table.  A 6-ft. by 3 ft. table and two chairs would be provided.  My booth design left a lot to be desired.  For a table cover, I had a piece of black felt that I'd liberated from one of my bulletin boards at school.  I didn't know until it was too late that black felt is a magnet for lint, hairs and fibres.  I fashioned a necklace display from a huge piece of plywood that I covered with a layer of cotton batting and some black and green crushed velvet.  The plywood was propped up on the table with another piece of wood behind, like a picture frame.  I pinned necklaces to this display.  I also had a matching black and green velvet bracelet t-bar sort of thing, and a silver hand towel holder, from which I hung more necklaces. Finally, I had a copper rotating earring rack with holes for the earrings to be put into. The rest of my jewellery was strewn over the table. Even with a friend helping, it took us a good hour to take all the jewellery pieces out of the little plastic zip bags in which I was storing them, drape them onto the racks, and pin the necklaces on the necklace display. Repeat at pack-up time. 

Dealing With Rejection

I just got an email in response to an application I made to a juried craft show a couple of months ago.  Unfortunately, it was not the response I wanted.  The coordinator was nice about it--she said that there were 7 applicants for every one spot, and they had had to turn down work they didn't want to turn down.  I don't know if that's true or not, but it made me feel better, anyway.  This was the first juried show I've applied for.  On the one hand, the rejection smarts.  On the other hand, I know that for most craft shows, there are dozens of jewellery applicants for every one potter or stained glass artist who applies.  I also take comfort in the fact that even the most talented artists and writers experienced their share of rejection. I'm in good company.