The “Tricky” Business of Shows
The weather played tricks on us today. We arrived at the Bethesda Artist Market this morning to shuddering clouds and a thick blanket of rain. Three weeks of total drought in the Northeast, but today it has to rain. Deliberating whether or not to set-up the tent and hope the empty streets would soon fill with passers-by and patrons, the Mister and I sipped Caribou Coffee and munched on donuts with neon pink icing.
The rain only intensified as we talked to our friends Michele Cormier and Sara Rivera, who had decided to set up and brave the soggy weather. I’ve been exhibiting with these fellow artists for the last three years at the Bethesda Artist Market – a small, juried festival that features just 25 artists per show. Many of us are regulars. This year marked the first year at a new location on Norfolk Ave. I had looked forward to testing it out.
Even as we talked under the white canopy tents, the rain seeped inside and drip-dripped on my shoulder. Artists around us were continuously draining the pregnant pools of water waiting to birth from the tops of their tents. The Mister and I weighed the pros and cons of setting up. The cons were obvious while the pros were all what-ifs.
Outdoor festivals are always a crapshoot, susceptible to wind and rain and a million other factors that can make or break a show. Booth fees are rarely refundable and shows are usually held rain or shine. Ten years of outdoor shows have taught me that there is never a guarantee of anything and certianly not of sales, even if there is a crowd. But it’s the what-ifs that keep you coming back time and time again. One or two great shows and you’re hooked like an old lady on a slot machine. The experience of sharing your work with others is highly gratifying, especially when your customers are as excited by your creations as much as you are. (It’s gets me higher than a regular Mountain Dew, if you can imagine that).
The 80% chance of rain forecasted all day was fairly persuasive, in the end (although I’m fairly certain it stopped raining an hour after we headed back to Richmond). (Mockery). The Mister had a time sensitive carpentry commission to attend to and I figured I could use some time to catch up on my poorly neglected blog and work on my new “Jetson” series.
Im so sorry to all those who came out this afternoon to support us and see the newest creations by Dream Spiral Art. I love my Bethesda customers! You have been good to me for many years. Be sure to look for my new “JETSON” series in my Etsy shop this week. And hopefully I will see you on Sunday, August 1 for the First Sunday Festival on West Street in Annapolis, MD.
Sneak peak of the “JETSON” series (these 3 have already SOLD).
