First Festival of the 2026-2027 Season a Success!
The LaPaloma Summer Indoor Art Festival was a fantastic success! The venue was great, the event well-attended, and I got to meet more amazing fellow local artisans!
My new standalone jewelry pieces were quite a hit, especially the earrings. I've got to replenish that stock before my next event! The greeting cards got some love this weekend as well. And everyone really liked my tile pieces, but thought they were phone cases and then asked if I could make those.
But my favorite purchase was a little boy who enjoyed looking at all of my tiny framed art and tiles and then was entranced by the Experiments.
When he realized they were reversible, he started bouncing. I moved the little display closer to him and he proceeded to look at every single piece, front and back, ooohing and aahing over many, declaring first this one his favorite and then that one. He finally settled on one that was his absolute fave and told his dad he wanted to get that one.
My spot was pretty much right at the front door. It was right next to a craft area where patrons could decorate their own tote bag. This family had settled down there right after they walked in the door, so my table was the first one they had seen. The boy's father (quite rightly) said they would walk the whole festival first and then, if he still wanted the piece, they'd come back and get it.
Me, I was already thoroughly charmed by the experience at this point and would not have minded if the little boy had found something else that day. But, no, a little while later, they were back at my booth and purchasing the chosen piece.
I also sold a couple of jewelry sets, including one of my faves, Blue Nebula Spaghettification.
It was a little bittersweet to part with this one, and I also have to give a shoutout to the buyer's friend who encouraged the purchase.
As usual, one of the best parts of the festival experience was all the various interactions with patrons, whether they purchased something or not. Great conversations, great smiles. I noted above that I had a great location right by the entrance/exit. I got to see everyone arriving and leaving. Sometimes this meant I saw wide-eyed excitement, and sometimes I saw weariness. One visitor had a moment of overwhelm right in front of me that I felt compelled to help them through. We just needed to breathe together for a while.
There was a less than pleasant exchange with one person, someone who seemed kinda eager to pick a fight over my greeting cards. It wasn't as ugly as these things could be, and it wasn't as directed as members of the queer community often face, but this person decided to get a little sneery about the entire concept of different flags for different identities in the queer community. The person's companion took them to task before I was quite aware of what was happening, apologized on their behalf, and steered them toward the exit. They appeared to be having a bit of a heated convo out there. Props to the companion, and I hope this person gets whatever it is they need to resolve some of that hate.
I also saw several folks I know wandering the aisles, and it was great to catch up with them. Of course, I also made new artisan friends and reconnected with some people I have met in past festivals and events. It was nice to remind myself just how much I enjoy these experiences, no matter how much I sell. (Though it would really be great to have the problem of getting sold out, if any big spenders are interested in creating that dilemma for me...)