Showing Up

 

I can’t believe I haven’t written a blog in almost a month. And on the other hand, I can believe it. I’ve been very busy. And that’s a very good thing for me because this past year with all the life changes and health issues, I’ve been the opposite of busy. While I’ve had good reason to rest, recuperate and reassess the way I live my life, it was time to get moving. 

This is what it looked like in my studio last week. I had a very big ceramics show this last weekend. I had a lot to do to get ready on my end: making work, pricing work, inventory and packing.

Setting Up. 

I’m lucky I had my wonderful husband to help me haul my bins from home to the show and back home again. I used to do it all myself, but this year I needed help. Once it was all stacked in front of my shelves, it was time for me to set up my display. 

I admit, I love doing the display part of this multiphase job. I’ve always loved decorating my spaces whether it’s my office at work, my kids play spaces or my home. So setting up my work to display is fun. 

Standing Up.

Doing this show involves much more than my own little set of shelves and pedestals. It takes hundreds of people, including myself, to set up the display areas, sales area, gallery area, kids clay booth and more. I worked in the gallery area setting up the display and keeping it looking good throughout the show. I love working doing gallery display. 

I also worked ‘manning’ the gallery and group booth. It’s a lot of standing and walking and waiting, too. Again, with my past year, I was very worried I wouldn’t be able to manage the work load. I was worried I’d have to pull out at the last minute. But I did it! 

Not only did I handle my own work, I did my work shifts and I sold some of my own work, too. 

My biggest win

Wasn’t showing my work

It was showing up, doing the work

Talking to other artists

And feeling strong.