Autonomy

Returning to myself

Dear Reader,

Autonomy was my mantra long before I ever knew what the word meant. I always wanted to be independent and do things my own way.

This weekend I vended at an event that wasn't run very well, mostly due to poor marketing and advertising. As I waited in line to use the restroom, since they only had two (yes, you heard me right), I was talking to some of the other vendors, and we were all very disappointed. I've been doing shows for many years, and while I love the opportunities each event holds, I'm often frustrated by the limited number of options I have locally. There are some shows I do year after year not only because they're successful for me, but also because they're run very well. However, those events locally are very few and far between. I travel for events several times a year throughout the east coast because they are MUCH more lucrative and well-attended. Unfortunately, this also requires much more preparation, time, and money, so I can't do it on a regular basis. People ask me all the time if I either own a brick and mortar store or if I plan on opening one. The answer to both of those questions is no.

Why don't I want a store?

• I really don't do well in a more traditional 9-5 lifestyle.
• I am a workaholic, so I know that I would work even harder than I do now.
• I wouldn't want to work on weekends because it would take me away from my family too much. Yes, I do work weekends now when I have shows, but I can pick and choose which ones I do.
• I haven't paid rent for many years and I don't intend on doing that ever again.
• I feel like I would be constantly worrying how much money I was making every day, and I don't want to feel like that.

So where does that leave me?

For a long time, I've been thinking about how I would like to take my business to the next level and create opportunities for myself. My frustration with yet another show this weekend finally gave me the nudge I needed to make my goals a reality. Rather than complaining about show after show, it's time to take things into my own hands and make something happen. So, I'm in the process of applying for grants which, if I'm accepted will help me create a mobile boutique. I'm really excited about what I'll be able to do if I can make this happen. Of course, it's still in the very early stages, but I think I really could be onto something. So many ideas are swirling around in my head right now like buzzing bees and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Big thank you to my friend (you know who you are), who sent me the link to that grant and started the ball rolling. I don't have another show until the second week in August, so I'll be spending my time knee deep in grant writing. While I know it might be a bit of an arduous process, I'm looking forward to it. I'll also be scouring marketplace for potential boutique vehicles, grateful that my husband is a carpenter who can build the perfect space for me.

My week at a glance in words and pictures

• I started making paper, which has been so much fun. I'm going to use it in art pieces as well as jewelry since I discovered a non-toxic art product that will harden porous materials. When I say harden, I literally mean that the woman on the video draped some jersey fabric onto an armature and after it dried, she knocked on it with her fist, that's how hard it was. The product was also created in the U.S. by a woman. The only downside is that it's expensive.

  

• I realized that the zine I was working on will not fit onto an 8 pages, so I'm coming up with some different ideas that will work for a shorter format.
• I'm in the process of creating crochet guides that I will have for sale as pdfs on my website. The writing is all finished, I just have to crochet some samples for the photos.
• I'm still working on art pieces that I will be submitting this month through November.

• I found out that my cousin is having a baby, so I will be making another baby quilt.

• The gardens (I have a community garden and one in the backyard) are producing so many herbs and tomatoes and peppers are starting to come in. Placing my hands in the dirt everyday brings so much joy. My dehydrator is literally running all day long.

  

  

• With all of the rain, I feel like I weed for hours every day, but I actually like weeding. It's so satisfying. Does anyone else like weeding?
• I rediscovered some flower seeds I had saved, so I planted them a couple of weeks ago

• I found the book Lovely Bones at the library book sale, and I'm almost finished with it. I know I'm late to the party with this one, but that's how I roll. I love the way the story is told.

• I have something coming out in an art publication soon. It was a really fun project to work on and I love the way it turned out.

I hope you have a great week, dear reader.

xo,

Christa

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Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

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