26th Sunday:Ordinary time

Rolling up I45 away from Houston after the show Saturday in the Woodlands. The day is pleasant, the traffic as well-behaved as a set of driven idiots, imbeciles, morons, passersby or totally strange humans can be.

SO HOW WAS THE SHOW?

I am so GLAD that you asked Ms Bold Caps.

First, such an event is ALWAYS a learning experience and processing the lessons thus learned and being ready and eager to transform same into enhancements and improvements for the next show can be truly exhilarating.

So at what level does one start such recapitulations we inquire to one another?

LEVEL I, THE BEGINNING?

How about the ‘bottom line’?

Can you handle ‘spin’?

The total sales and revenue were I BELIEVE, a record and personal high. That’s the spun-up ‘good news’.

The darker underside of the silver-lined vehicle was expenses were off the chart as well. But let me explain.

First, I had the larger space and tent, 10x20 as a courtesy trial and this required more items to fully populate. This I succeeded at and actually had surplus stored nearby in the van which was rented for the trip. I thought of if as an emergency warehouse which I think I only used once or twice late in the day. So that worked successfully.

I did keep some items in reserve and hidden under draped tables for anticipated sales. Let’s say that it also worked.

Foot traffic was strong thru day and the longer tent had the solid back wall which was more conducsive for veiwing from further back the perfect location for the larger, stunning newer big-ticket items. Loads and lots of lingers looking, admiring and commenting on the large Watching the Shore and two (2) signs featuring the humuhumukunukunuaapua.

Sales of smaller items was surprisingly brisk. Reduced corkboards both large & small moved better than ever. I unloaded the painted cast resin cardinal to a grannie for her grandee that struck a sentimental chord. They were leaving the country and it was the late Grandfather’s favorite bird and they were going to use it as a ‘memory’ relic. I was fine with that. Cash sale.

There were of course and as always a steady flow of the Fun people.

One lady was memorable and a real connectable material. Effortless in conversation bouncing widely-varies topics.

One guy worked at a local wine bar and told me to stop for ‘all the corks I wanted.’ As I did discount and move both large & smaller cork boards, I have some wheels turning here with a boundless supply of inexpensive and readily available raw material(s).

A couple of people expressed an above normal interest in lessons and as is the case if ONE (1) responds I’ll then celebrate.

One fellow talked about a sign. Waiting for him to start that process.

There were two (2) of the notorious ‘be-backs’. One left her credit card at the restaurant. It was actually a bar and when she returned shortly before tear down she was pretty well trashed.

Clare was a great help but she wrangled to bring a friend along ‘to help’ at the last minute and it was more like having half-a-helper. They were both thrilled to have ‘artist helper’ badges AND pastry and the water.

Then there was a guy that returned only to chat it up and we talked politics and about his crazy sister.

So all in all it was a fun time.

Naomi the Director dropped around a couple of times and again the support for the artists was exemplified.

SO WHAT’S NEXT OGO?

Well, first thing unload the goods and then early Monday drop off the panels before returning the van.

Rest, relax and recover the rest of Monday then Tuesday a goof off/mental health day at the Great State Fair of Texas for the day.

Then on Wednesday begin the first in the series of meetings with self to plot the show in Galveston.

So there is no shortage of things to do.

Probably Wednesday will be a sandwich day alternating and shuffling time periods of yard work, projet artistique work, gardening, bike ride, exercise etc.

IOW, return to normal for a short time anyway.