What a week!

Wow, I made it through one of the most intense weeks I've had in a looong time, and I am still all in one piece, and pretty happy! I can't believe I just got back from Denver only one week ago.

My show on First Thursday at the Show & Tell Gallery went really well (pardon my shiny face in the picture--it was SO hot!). It turns out all of the craft shows really HAVE helped me relax about talking about my work, plus I spent several hours re-working my artist statement so I had a good idea of what to say when people asked. There was some great spoken word from writers Luke Lefler and Christopher Luna, then during the last hour the band Hellpets played, drawing in a pretty huge crowd. We are going to hold a closing reception for my show at the end of the month, which I am really looking forward to.

Yesterday was the final PDX Etsy show of the year, and that turned out pretty well too. There was some construction on one of the streets leading out of the Park Blocks, which helped to drive a good portion of the Farmer's Market crowd up to our booths. There was also a great dj playing fantastic, upbeat music all day, which helped to lift everybody's mood and draw a bigger crowd. I had only gotten 3 or 4 hours of restless sleep the night before (my neighbors were having a huge party late into the night), so I was pretty wiped out, and started dozing in my chair! So I stood up and danced a little bit to keep myself going through the rest of the day. My sales weren't stunning, but I did manage to make more money than I have at any other craft shows that I've done all year!

The week was intense in other ways, too, some of it too personal to write about here. But getting back into the swing of things from Denver was a bit overwhelming. While I was there, I found out that my old friend Don Becker had passed away recently. On Monday after getting back, I got some coffee with my friend Katie, who moved here with me from Denver over a decade ago, and knew Don really well. Monday also happened to be the 4-year anniversary of the death of our good friend Zaq Rogers, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident. So Katie and I reminisced and shed a few tears at our favorite local coffee house.

But don't get the idea that I'm being a downer, things are good. I think everyone needs weeks like this sometimes, mixed with the intensely good and bad. It is exhausting at the end, but it is also a reminder of our strength, that life is good, and even when it's overwhelming it is certainly good to be here.

On Being a Supply Seller on Etsy.

Nearly two years ago, I discovered a little website called Etsy. It was so awesome, I just knew I had to be a part of it. Back then I was working full time for “the man,” I was a single mom, and I rarely found the time to make art. My job had nothing to do with my degree and my passion in Fine Arts. I was 30 years old, miserable, overworked, and exhausted. I also had severe tendonitis in both of my arms.

I quit my job and opened a business with a friend of mine. On the side, I opened a little Etsy shop too, http://LeaKarts.etsy.com. Over the months, I plugged along. I met some amazing local artists and crafters through the PDX Etsy Street Team’s weekly tea time hosted by Leah Pellegrini (http://LeahPellegrini.etsy.com). I was inspired! My arms had healed, and I started to find bits of time for crafting. I sold my work here and there on Etsy and at local craft fairs.

In 2007, the business that I had with my friend folded. My Etsy sales were picking up a bit for the holiday season, though, and my friend Ryan of http://LittlePutBooks.etsy.com needed help keeping up with her shipping, so I was able to manage. Inevitably, Ryan would not need me forever, though, and could certainly not employ me full time. So I opened up a second Etsy shop, http://SupplyRiot.etsy.com.

In less than three months, I found SupplyRiot to be more successful than I could have imagined. I joined the amazing Etsy Supply Street Team (ESST), which has been incredibly supportive to me. I already have a stream of the most wonderful repeat buyers, as well as new buyers, who love to “buy locally” in a global sense, that is, they know they are able to support a small crafty businessperson and get the cool supplies they need by buying from a fellow Etsy seller.

Selling supplies on etsy enables me, in combination with selling my artwork and a side job here and there, to work for myself, from home. I am able to be more flexible for my daughter’s schedule. I am no longer haunted by the exhaustion of a meaningless “real” job, and now I make the time to create artwork every single day of my life. I always have new work to list in my other shop and to sell around town. Finally, I am able to connect with the Etsy community in a deeper way. Whether they are making a gift for a friend, or something really awesome to list in their own shops, I am able to offer quality supplies to inspire creativity in my fellow Etsians.

Things are still not easy. There are many challenges to working for oneself, and a steady income and time management are two of the big ones for me. But, thanks to my humble supply shop on Etsy, I am on my way!

I'm BaaaAck!

New York City. It was an experience, I'll tell you that! I am still sorting out some of my feelings from the whole thing, and getting over the mad flying back and forth in such a short time period, so I'm not going to say much.

I have to be honest, there were some serious flaws in the whole weekend that absolutely should not have happened. But I am a "make the best of it" kind of person, so I would rather talk about the good parts here and deal with the bad parts where they need to be dealt with.

Taking over the Etsy Labs and the Brooklyn Indie Market was really fun, and I met some really awesome people, etsy and non etsy alike :) I felt like I was 18 again sleeping in an air mattress on the half pipe that takes up one edge of the Labs, and I had the chance to get to know some of my pdx etsy teammates even better than before. I also got to have lunch with my cousin, which was short but very sweet.

Finally, I learned a LOT. Like, a show in New York is no different than a show at home--you never know how it will go so you just have to make the best of it. And that, no matter what is happening all around them, people will choose to experience the same exact situation in a wide variety of ways. I also learned that I have a super-power clown-car suitcase--in on little carry-on roller wheely suitcase, I packed enough stuff (four small paintings, 30 pendants, hand-painted cards, ACEO's, display items, business cards, tablecloth, and Steve's photographs!) to cover 4 feet of table space very attractively: :)

I am SO glad to be home, but I do not regret this experience in the least. Hopefully it will pave the way to more traveling and art selling in the future......

New York City, Baby!!!

Holy Cow! In only 4 days, I'm flying to Brooklyn for the PDX Etsy Trunk Show, the Brooklyn Indie Market, and Etsy's Halloween Party/Sale! I am practically dancing right out of my pants I'm so exited!!! (If you checked the links, you will notice that at the 3rd event there will be local NYC television stations, Adorn Magazine and Make Magazine there--very big deal!)

I am also hoping to get in touch with my cousin, who lives in Manhattan and who I have not seen in at least 15 years, since we were kids! And if there's still time in there somewhere, it would be fabulous to make it to an art museum or two..... I am staying at the Etsy Labs along with most of the other ladies that are going. We shipped our sleeping bags, air mattresses, and display stuff for the shows a few days ago, in preparation for what may just be the craftiest slumber party EVER! :)

Oh! And do not let me forget, there is an opportunity for YOU to win a bag of very cool PDX (Portland) Etsy swag, by entering this contest.

Finally, if you are ready to do some shopping and want a great deal, many of the PDX Street Team gals that aren't going (and a couple that are) are helping promote the trunk show by offering a limited time discount in their shops. Check this link for participating vendors.

Wish me luck, fun, adventure, new friends, and LOTS of sales!!!!