Episode: Doing What is Right

Went to the Market on Saturday and though oh what a wonderful day it was going to be with the sun brightly shining and no wind. Can you imagine, no wind in Saint John in June on a Market day. Well in the end it didn't matter as my day was more than just short lived it was stressful and disheartening.

However, I stood my ground and went home, even though I was socially bullied by a fellow vendor and dismayed by the actions of a group of them, who claim they were standing up for principle, too bad they did not know how to be rational about it, and they will be the first ones to day that they wonder why they want to micro-manage us so much, well review the actions.

Long and short of it is, we were asked to leave by security due instructions from management and that lead to yelling and screaming and the police and media arriving. Must say it was something to see, but not worth it in my opinion. There was no going quietly into that good morning. Many of us left, a few stayed believing that they were holding on to principle. Each person has to do what they need to do, but as I say there is a manner in which it should be done and yelling, screaming and waving papers in the air just isn't for me, but it isn't because I don't have a backbone like a fellow vendor accused me of, but that I am rational and I look at the bigger picture and know what battles are worth fighting and how they should be faught.

At this point, I am just distrubed. My passion for my creating still exists, but I am sickened by the thought that my Summer may be turned upside down. It is okay of I can't sell on Saturdays, but I don't want the market shut down, I think those visitors need me and my creations. So now I continue the waiting game to see what happens next, but I am telling myself that I will sell to visitors on Wednesday!

It Was Great to be Back

Although exhausted from a long day vending, the first day was quite nice. The day was a mixture of sun and clouds, enough to turn my nose red and more than enough wind coming off the harbour. That darn Bay of Fundy, just making a typical Saint John weather day, but it wouldn't be a typical vending day without it.

Sold my first new style journal today to a girl from New Jersey who was giving it to her husband as an anniversary gift, how sweet is that. I hope that he loves it and finds if intriguing and inspirations as they are intended to be. My Thrifty Chicks received a lot of interest, but nobody bought my version of a the Royal Dalton and too think people love them so much and mine are handmade and local, not made in China as the newer Dalton figurines are, I guess my 10-15$ figurines just can't compete with the $200+ priced ones. It truly is a shame, but the season is young yet and I know that someone will fall in love with yet, and lugging the packaging for them will not be a waste.

So as I looked around the circle, I saw lots of familiar faces. I am please to be next to my close friend Sylvia and her amazing items for your cat or dog. Her pet towels are just way too cool. I will get some pictures at the next ship day. I am also next to Lynda and she makes purses, mittens, hats and slippers that she knits and felts. Her pieces are just lovely. I have bought things from her in the past for my littlest guy, and the craftsmenship is just perfect. There were some new faces too. Friendly, but sometimes I wonder why people are there, and how they expect to sell what they do, the quality is just not there, but I also know that it is price point a lot of the time and just because it is not my taste, who am I to say. However, this year it stated that people had to be approved, well so far that is laughable. Furthermore, how is it will all the things that can be made, do people feel the need to copy others, not make it as good and undercut them in price and then be nice to them, I guess people just don't see it. Irritating nonetheless!

I feel the need to make some new, but I don't know what yet. I think that I should just make some Go-Fish games, and test out my idea on how to make them quicker, because as you know people will tell several times a day how clever I am or smart, creative and the list goes on, but then they don't want to pay me for my time of making it all happen. But I will have you know I am not about to give up, I LOVE it too Much!

Tomorrow is the BIG Day!

So hoping that it does not rain tomorrow as it is the start of our selling season in Loyalist Plaza to cruise ship visitors who come to Saint John. I can't wait to have a day filled with people I do not know and to share it will my fellow vendors. What will they have new to sell? More interestingly will they or I have to remove products from our tables. Lots of new restrictions this year, or so the rules stated, enforcement is often another story.

I started selling at the Plaza in 2005, seems like forever ago. I remember that first day, as if it was yesterday. I was weak from having just finished up my last round of chemo and could barely carry a box and walk at the same time, but I had a great day. Didn't sell too much, but it felt great to be out. I dragged my friend Leisa with me, who is now the owner of LesiaB Accessories and a great jewellery artisan. We have both grown in creations since that first day and we are both still loving it. Back then we sold for $5 a day and hoped for a spot when we arrived, now we are paying $250, but we have a space to call our own. As I sport my famous Orange hat, I will be hoping for a fruitful day with my fellow vendors and can't wait to meet the new supporters of Darla Creations.

Saturday at the Gallery

There is nothing like my Saturdays crafting at the Fundy Gallery of Art. Managed to finish some fantastic graduation cards for fellow crafter Carol. Well she is more than a crafer, I really should not put myself in her league. She is a potter and I just love her work. The natural way that she moulds the clay, it is so uninhibited, along with her experimentation of the different glazes is provoking to the eye. Furthermore her coupling of images and objects gives her creations a playful apperance, but intense meaning. I am so looking forward to the unveiling of her collection for the Summer vending season.