ME!!!

Soooooo, you know I love quilling. I wish I knew why. Maybe it's just because I can create something pretty in just a couple weeks. Also, the colors are endless. Oh! and the possibilities are endless. I mean, I think you could quill just about anything! And there are so many different techniques. Also, very unique.

That's the first thing. Next, I've been kind of artsy crafty my whole life. So the other thing I've always wanted to try, is to sell the things I make. Wouldn't that be cool?! To think, a stranger would want to spend their money on something I created!?!?!?! That's so crazy to me! I think I've mentioned this before, but when I walk around art fairs, I can honestly appreciate the time and skill someone puts into their art or craft but you really have to be different and stand out for me to stop and actually look at you stuff. Could I be that different?

Since I've been quilling, I've never seen anyone at one of those art fairs that does it too. I'm not sure why either. Anyway, a few years ago I attended a local arts and craft fair and actually saw someone who did quilling. She did some jewelry and decorated some boxes. They were cute but....it really inspired me. I thought, I could do this. And my stuff is WAY better! I talked myself into it. It's small, about 2,500 people attend this fair. And the booth space was super cheap. Only $70. Some art fairs are $200+!  

Also, this was a juried art fair - which means you have to submit samples of your work and be selected by a jury to participate. So I entered and was accepted! Holy smokes! So, for TWO years, I built up an inventory. It sounds like a long time but I do have a fulltime job after all. The last few months I've really put a lot of pressure on myself. I've been scared, petrified, excited, nervous, worried, nauseous, felt like crying, not sleeping. It's been awful! Mostly it was just the thought of having to talk to people. Strangers. Ewww. And what if I didn't sell anything??? What if I did??? OMG!

Well, last Saturday was the day. My sweet, wonderful husband was such a huge help. Besides just being supportive and encouraging, he really helped me. He made all my picture stands. He helped me pack everything up, ran errands with me, the list is endless. Love you honey!!

So there I was, in my little, gigantic 10x10 space. And guess what? It was a huge success!! I did it! I put myself out there. Out there to be looked at and judged!! Ugh! People, strangers, loved my work!!! It was only open for about 20 minutes before I made my very first sale. Then, I was busy all morning!! I was stunned. I wanted to cry again because I just couldn't believe it! SO FREAKING AWESOME!!!

Whew. I didn't realize though, how tense I had been all day until after dinner. Then I started to feel like I'd been hit by a truck! Geesh. It really wore me out. I feel like it's going to take me a few days to recover from all that peopley crap. But I did it! Hooray!!! Fairly certain I won't do it again but man!!!!! I did it!!!!!