From One Bag To Another...

I have just had the most bizarre weekend.  I nearly wrote ever, but it wasn't quite that, but close.  Think of this post as a little note (read: vent) I am writing to you as my cherished, ever so crafty, blog friends...from One Bag To Another.  *Hugs*  Plus, I know that you'll totally understand where I am coming from.

I was an exhibitor at a papercraft show that I had originally declined the offer but decided to take up the last minute offer to attend despite my gut instincts (which never ends well) based on the strong urgings of the organizer.  As some of you know I sell my cards, but my main crafty offering for sale are my custom crystal creations through my crafty business called Rocks, Paper, Scissors!®.  Why I ever thought I'd do okay is beyond me despite being eagerly asked by the organizer to participate?  The organizer of the event thought it would be nice for the papercrafters to have something also handmade, yet different, on offer along with my cards to buy as part of the show.  I am still shaking my head because it was three long days of people walking by my stall that I took a great deal of time and consideration to decorate muttering, what is she doing here and what is that?  Or better yet...Where are the paper scissors!  Huh? I did have two baskets full of cards for sale and some other papercraft but didn't think any die-hard papercrafter would ever want to buy them.  Seriously.  Why would they?  Surely they'd make their own?  But even though I had about 75 cards for sale, I certianly wasn't ever expecting to recoup the big expense of being a stallholder by selling these few handmade cards alone.  I'd only be in with a chance with making my money back if I had ten years worth of cards to sell and that would be only if they sold at an exorbitant price!  I had, foolishly, hoped my "rocks" would have sold better though and not be looked at as if they fell out of the backside of a donkey.  Sigh.  I  am at the markets and different festivals each weekend selling my creations generally, so I didn't think things would have been as terrible as this experience was.

Over the three days of the festival, I managed to sell only 7 cards and a couple of my handmade bracelets.  But what really got my goat was when one woman said with three of my cards in her hand just purchased that she was so excited because she going to copy, in multiples, these cards exactly!  OMG!  I nearly fainted not to mention spit chips!  I completely froze in utter disbelief that she would do that, and also boldly look me in the face and say that out loud as she turned and walked away with her newly purchased templates! Sweet Jeebus!  I dare say that that was also the motive behind the few other card sales I made on this El Bizzaro weekend.  There were many people flicking through my cards and looking at them closely.  But naïve me thought they may have just been "appreciating" them perhaps, but not just studying them!  I really felt like a mug afer this weekend from Hell and in desperate need of a hot shower and a scotch (and I don't even like scotch!).  Needless to say, I hope to never find myself in that positon again.

Here are a couple of "not so happy" snaps of my stand.  Not sure why they look so green, but maybe it was because this craft show was "out of this world" and not in a good way either.  So pleased I've returned to the safety and security of our planet Blog World. Aahhhh...

Ooh, and the card at the top of this post captures my appreciation, in a loving, light hearted way of course, and shows just how I feel about my fabulous blog friends.  Plus, I don't know any other gorgeously crafty sorts that would put up with this old bag (me) in any case.  I used only Crafty Secrets stamps, Copics, Vintage Lace, Grand Nesties, October Afternoon DP and some weeny Keisercraft Pearls to bejewel these beauties.

So pleased you stopped by for a chat.  It means the world to me!