Momma Don't Eat My Toblerone

Hello friends, 

I know it has been awhile, but I am inspired to blog today because today - totally out of nowhere - I got two separate orders on my neglected Etsy site. Yay! The stars must be aligned, or maybe the Fall shopping season has begun. Either way, keep 'em comin' people. Keep 'em comin'. 

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that I would talk about my foray into flea marketing. Well let's just say that I have not 'forayed' too deeply. I spent every other Sunday this summer setting up shop at a new flea market in my Brooklyn 'hood, but unfortunately sales were somewhere between lackluster and non-existent. Unfortunately, the market I signed up with was poorly organized, and quite often there weren't more than two vendors there (including myself). I knew they were just starting out and so I had hopes that things would turn around but, for whatever reason, they did not. I have no regrets about the experience, as I learned a lot from it. First of all, I learned that the markets need the vendors just as badly as you need them and so I shouldn't feel timid about making sure I am getting what I need from the experience. It was also a good step towards getting myself out there, because I can often be a bit on the shy side and hesitant to try new things. The market also gave me an opportunity to practice setting up shop and speaking to customers in a low-key, low stress environment. 

These two sales, along with the onset of Fall (the get down to business season) has inspired me to charge full steam ahead with working on my own business again. Everyday I am further convinced that I will not be fully happy until I am working for myself and so that is my ultimate goal. 

Anyhoo, we've all had a rough day so let's eat a Toblerone and listen to some good tunes. 

À bientôt!

Sunday Night/Monday Morning

I am writing this on a Sunday night, but by the time I actually click "Publish Post", I'm sure it will have changed over to Sunday morning. I always have a lot of ambitions for the weekend as far as adding new items to my Etsy and working on my overall business and creative ventures, but more often than not I get sidetracked. 

This weekend wasn't any different. Yesterday, I found myself completely free of obligation (I usually have to barista on Saturdays) and ended up in Chelsea to check out the Etsy New New Team's Handmade Craft Fair. It was interesting to see a lot of Etsy artisans set up with their work in an outdoor space where they could more directly connect with potential customers. It was clear that some artists were more experienced than others when it came to selling themselves and their work in a face to face setting. I am curious to see how I myself will fare at this task in the near future. 

Also in Chelsea on Saturday: the galleries were bustling! Currently, it is New York Gallery Week. I'm not sure how many of the galleries I visited were actually participating in the event, but the neighborhood was abuzz regardless. One of the highlights of what I saw included the "Make Yourself at Home" multi-artist exhibit put on by 7Eleven Gallery. The exhibit included many versions of rooms like those you would find in a home, but re-imagined by the artists. 

ALISON ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Tap Left On, 2009-10
Wood veneer, shellac
71 X 75 X 48 inches

Image Via www.jamescohan.com

Another striking exhibit was that of Alison Elizabeth Taylor, entitled "Foreclosed" and being shown at the James Cohan Gallery. Taylor's work is all incredibly intricate wood inlay, which is not even immediate obvious until you stand close to the pieces. Her work depicts the ruin that many homes quite often fall to after being foreclosed on. If you find yourself in Chelsea, this is definitely one to check out. 

And of course what afternoon spent in Chelsea would be complete without a stroll on the Highline? I can't wait to get back to some warm weather so I can spend some more time on the wooden lounge chairs!