The first year I started my business (called YesNo Quilts then) along with selling my work on my website, I tried selling my work at Craft Shows. Jon always came with me. Sometimes he’d have some of his photos sometimes he just kept me company. And was I happy to have him there. I didn’t sell many quilts (one I think) but because of them I met Jane McMillen (felted pincushions and lots of other felted stuff) and started making potholders. It was the beginning of the Recession and I realized that most people didn’t have the money for quilts, so I came up with the idea of the mini-quilt. In the form of something everyone who has a stove and cooks could use, a potholder. I thought of what kind of potholder I would like in my kitchen and how much I would be willing to pay for it. I debuted them at the Poultney Craft Fair and sold out.
The second year in business, when I sold about 100 p0tholders each month from September to January on my website, I gave up on Craft shows.
But I’m thinking of those early days again because this Saturday I’m going to be at the Adirondack Museum’s Fall Festival. It’s not a craft show and I’m not there to sell my work, (although I sold a few potholders when I was there last year) but show it and demonstrate how I make my Streaming pieces and Message Potholders. I’ll have some quilts and potholders, my latest streaming piece Freedom Woman and some other unfinished samples of my work, maybe even a scarf or two. And of course, I’ll have my sewing machine. What I won’t have is Jon’s company. He’ll be teaching his blogging workshop this Saturday, while I’m in the Adirondacks. Now, it’s not like I need to have Jon there with me, but I’ll admit, it is more fun and I will miss him. But I’ll have my machine and my work. So even when there are those inevitable gaps when no one comes around to look at my work, I won’t just be sitting there staring into space, I’ll have my work to do.
I’m planning on bringing materials to make some potholders and start a streaming pillow or wall hanging. My mind is already abuzz with ideas. I only hope I don’t get to involved with what I’m doing and forget that I’m really there to talk to people and show them what I’m doing and how I do it.
The Adirondack Museum is in Blue Mountain Lake NY. It’s a lovely drive through the Adirondacks. So if you’re in the area and up for it, come see me this Saturday at the Fall Fest from 10-4pm. I promise to try and pay as much attention to you as I do my work.
For more info on the museum and the Fall Fest click here or go to www.adkmuseum.org
Sounds like a great day, Maria. Have fun. Love the wings on the boots.
Thanks Fran, I’m sure it will be fun, I do love talking about my work.
Have a great day Maria! I so know exactly what you mean about going it solo. It is definitely more FUN having your man with you. I always love whatever we do together. It doesn’t matter what it is. I know I’ll laugh and have twice the fun with him along. Listen to us, are we hopeless romantics? 🙂
Yes Cindy what a wonderful thing! Lucky us!
I love your work Maria and hearing about your creative process is makes me feel like a part if the energy. I want to order some pot holders for my sister’s birthday. I had no cash flow at the time if the open house, but I am so happy I got to see your workspace first hand. Please let me know how this works, do I choose from what us available? We have a little time, her birthday is in November. Peace.
Hi Donna, just email me and let me know what you’re looking for. [email protected]. Thanks, we’ll get your sister her birthday potholders.