DAMEJOYAS: Arts & Crafts at Iroquois

First to Leave the Nest

It was a blessing to be in the company of other artists (many of whom I've befriended), to encounter unsolicited kindness, to have my brother on board as a Damejoyas fan and muscle man, to feel that my wearable artwork was appreciated by those who purchased, those who booked consultations for custom jewelry creations, and the many who offered just the right words to best describe my work--"Different," "Refreshing," "Eccentric."

Event Highlights
1. My Green Tree Necklace was the first to be adopted (Thanks, Jayme!)

2. Monalisa, an AMAZING potter, told great stories, oozed spunk, and blessed me with a beautiful gift of hand-dyed gauze fabric.

3. My new buddy, Meghan taped ice to my back after an injury I sustained in my effort to save the world from mass destruction.

4. Patrica, a doll-maker from Atlanta, hipped me to the www.squareup.com, so I can now accept credit card payments using my smart phone (I''m so excited!).

5. I learned a few amazing marketing and event planning strategies.

6. I was inspired to take the next step in the direction of setting up shop.

7. My son played guitar on stage with the Louisville Dulcimer Society, astounding me once more with his talent, and daring.

8. Christina (my new language lover, foodie friend) showed up at my booth with a bag of ice and refreshing goodies just because she is a beautiful human being with a big heart, and the keen ability to give just what is needed, at precisely the right moment (Thank you!)

9. Mary came to my booth all three days of the event: Day 1: We met and chatted like little girls (we ARE little girls); Day 2: We chatted, she bought a silver paper bead and hematite necklace, and we shared a few tears Day 3: She looked me in the eyes, was instantly aware that I wasn't myself (back injury), and began to drop her bags to help me with whatever I needed (I talked her out of it).

10. I ate the best oatmeal, cashew, and butterscotch cookies ever made! And they were free! And the kind woman who made them is willing to share the recipe!

11. A lady named Nancy was so pleased with my work that she is commissioning me to create a necklace centered around a single, and very precious, bead she has tucked away in her closet at home. I can't wait to see it, and be inspired! Her daughter happens to be a writer, as I am, and she happens to be a Spalding MFA in Writing student, as I once was. What a small, small world.

12. Lately, I've been thinking about working with glass, and who do I meet other than the glass bead maker herself? And she happens to know my best friend, Regine, who lives in Canada! Can I say small world again?

13. I learned how to put my canopy up, how not to hoist a table onto the back of a truck, and how important it is to bring bricks to outdoor shows, as well as a food pantry and refrigerator.

14. I took copious notes on upcoming arts & craft venues, shared what little I know, and appreciated every hot, humid, salty, wet, hour of the entire experience.

Check out some of my new work: