Last weekend I went up the North Shore Country Market and set up my table for the second weekend in a row...This has been a long time coming and I had so much fun!  The first weekend was quite successful, this one not so much...I know it will have it's ups and downs, really the whole thing was such a blast, I got such AMAZING feedback, and had FUN!  I really couldn't ask for more...

This girl was adorable, the perfect example of growing up on the North Shore...Bleach blond hair, talking with her buddies about surfing the whole time, skateboarding all over the grounds, and riding back to her house a few doors down to grab some more freshly baked mac nut and chocolate chip cookies for her fundraiser!

Jo and Max took a break from helping me to have a siesta in the grass.

Lately I have been dreaming big, imagining all the ways I want this business to be, and thinking about what my "ultimate success" might look like.  It could be so many different things, but what it really boils down to is getting my work out there to be seen, diversifying the places where I sell, getting in to a few retail shops, and expanding to do more regular shows here and back on the mainland. 

I have always wanted to have a regular spot at a farmers market, so this first step fulfills some part of the master plan.  The traffic at this particular market is pretty low, and I knew that going in...The big market is down the road on Sundays, but they are full and have a long waiting list.  I think maybe it was all meant to be though, this easier, more local scene market is a great start, a way for me to figure out what I want out of this experience and a way to test out my displays and designs.

In keeping with dreaming big, I have been researching markets back in Seattle in hopes of creating a short sabbatical for myself this summer...I'm trying to manifest a situation where I can bring all my work with me and combo my visit home with some festivals and markets.  I have begun the process of wading through all the lists and application processes of a few summer festivals in Seatown in hopes of making this happen!  I've never applied for a juried show, and while I am quiet confident in my work, I can't help but wonder how it will be received.  The other thing that freaks me out is the money part, I am scraping it together these days since being out of work from my accident for so long.  The idea of sending out checks for application fees and then the idea of sending more checks for booth space is a little scary, but I KNOW that if I can make it happen, get my butt to town, and set up a rockin' booth, I WILL SUCCEED!!!!!!!!!

Why may you ask am I not focused on doing more markets and shows here?  Honolulu is a unique place, we don't have the usual weekly, or monthly craft markets, rummage type events, or even very many art festivals.  Sure there are some here and there but the crafts, creations, art, and things you find at these events are really so far from what I do...Not that my work wouldn't also fit in, it's just a very toursity/hawaiiana/shells and turtles and dolphins type of a scene.  There are few galleries and boutiques here that carry any handmade jewelry that isn't either of the beachy shell or carved Koa wood variety.  Another topic on the business brainstorming  is to approach the few retail spot that may be a good fit for my work, just not sure how to go about that part of it yet.  There is a once yearly festival that does have a really nice selection of art, that event is in July and I WILL be applying for that one too :)!

So...I'm kind of loving the dreaming, the planning and wishing for how I would like this all to go.  Really there's no limit to what I can dream up, so I figure why not think, plan, ponder, daydream, and see what I can come up with.  It feels really good to be thinking big, trying to come up with plans to expand, and especially to be so proud of my work.  I posted on face book earlier today that I had a great moment looking through my pictures today...I actually said to myself "I'm RAD"...and you know what?  It's true :)

Whew...I feel better getting all that out of my head! 

Here are a few of the designs I busted out last week before the market.

I've been busy in the studio and loving every second of it!  I've put these beauties in the shop and will be adding a few more in the next few days.  

I'll be dreaming the rest of my evening away, researching more craft events and trying to hammer out my own little corner of the community of talented artists out there that are living the dream of working for themselves, creating beauty one piece of handmade goodness at a time!

Aloha!