Highlights from Maker Faire!

I had a great time at Maker Faire this year, although it was all spent behind my booth, hawking my wares at Bazaar Bizarre! I'd never done a show of this size so I was pretty nervous to begin with; but everything ran smoothly. I made a ton of sales, met all kinds of amazing people, and learned a lot about what I'll do differently next time, which will be in a few short months at Renegade SF. Now for some pictures! I got a super-cute necktie cuff from fellow CCA grad and Oakland lady CC Star, who I hope to chill with in the near future. Mine has wee blue whales on it, but I also love this stegosaurs combo.

I traded one of my birdcage necklaces for a gorgeous ceramic cup with an otter on it made by the delighful and talented Hue Yang. Trading is one of the best things about doing shows!

I got a new Chickenpants from Absolutely Small, who is now taking up residence in my work cubicle.

Katy Kristin and I were suprised to meet the supplier of our German plastic mushrooms; I also met the designer of a polka-dot fabric used in one of my purses.

I met a new amiga, Polly Danger from LA. Aside from sharing a name, we have a lot in common and I was so happy to finally meet her! I'll be using this awesome coupon holder to keep my receipts organized.

The whole Conway family was enamored with Archicraft's product line. My mom bought a crocheted cowl for herself, the below bandana for my brother, a plastic doily, and I purchased a handful of charms and rings made from cast-off plastic architecture models.

Here's little old me surrounded by my stuffs. You can play a fun game called "Find the Giant Cup of Beer" in this picture. What a weekend!

A few summery updates in the life of Pollyanna!

Firstly, I was accepted as a vendor at this summer's Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco! I attended last year (on my birthday) and it was by far the biggest and awesomest show I've seen. I got to pick out my birthday present from Peter there, and I found the perfect thing: this copper bunny ring from Ach Ach Liebling.

I'll have a 10 x 10 space, which seems huge to me! This will involve building walls, racks, and all kinds of display doohickeys. I've never had such a large space to use; if anyone has advice on how to make good use of it, I'd love to hear it. Can you get retail wire racks on the cheap? How the heck do you make those walls to hang stuff on? I'm defintely looking to spread out and unclutter, as I think my past tables have been packed way too tightly with products.

Doing these larger fairs is really taking it to the next level for me, and it's exciting/scary. I don't have nearly enough inventory right now, so I have to get crafting so I can sell, sell, sell!

Secondly, I was asked back to participate in the Mentor Artists Playwright Project this year! This was by far the highlight of last year for me, and I'm so excited to do it again.

I declare this summer to be awesome!

I made myself a new sign last weekend. I cannot believe how much I have to do before May 30 (Maker Faire!). New display, more product, more, more, more! Yesterday I worked at day job from 10-6, got home at 7, took a break, and started working again from 8-12:30. For some people, this is sustainable, but for lazy schlubs like myself, it's kind of hard.

My body, always in tune with my brain, rewarded me with a beautiful coldsore for all my hard work. Love it!