Sunapee Fair 2011
Aug 21 2011I survived yet another Sunapee fair, and this year was quite extraordinary in the usual sense. When the stock market plunged in early August and the US government debt, I thought, great, we are all going to crash and burn. Nobody will buy, and I was mentally preparing for a crappy fair. Well, it was my 2nd best fair of all times and very close to my best fair which was back in 2007. I was so relieved. It seem like people were hungry for new work, and I had a lot of all metal jewelry. I tried to go back to my less is more, cleaner architectural style, and I think my customers appreciated it.
I also gave myself an assignment - 1 piece of wire, 1 pair of earrings. One solder joint or one connection, or no connection. I had quite a variety of earring designs, all with just one piece of wire, bent, shaped and hammered. I sold out on half of my stock, so I had to make more work in the evenings, so I was very glad to have a successful fair. Some of my most expensive work sold, so it was great!
This year is also special, for it is my 25th year as a juried craftsperson with the League of NH Craftsmen, a milestone in my career. I was at the tender age of 19, 3 days shy of my high school graduation when I went for the state jury for the League. I had been making jewely barely 2 years when I got accepted, and to this day, I'm still known as one of the youngest members to get juried in. There was a 14 year old and a 17 year old who got accepted, but I was pretty darn young! I'm not even 50 and I'm an old-timer with the League.
Here's a pic of my booth, and a view of the mountain from my peaceful little corner in Tent 4. I love my booth spot and usually request it year after year.
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