Random Bits

Gwen and I went to the Berkshire Arts Festival today in Great Barrington, MA - I've been a couple of times before, and I wasn't gonna go this year except I got a groupon (basically two for one entrance) and we decided to go.

It is spread out over the grounds of Ski Butternut - a very small local ski area in the Berkshires. So mostly outdoors

One of the photographers (I think) was a tall black man who took one look at me in my long sleeved sun shirt, hat and sunglasses and wanted to know wasn't I hot? It was about 85 degrees at the time. I had to point out that I am as dark as I get (completely melanin challenged), and that my people are very very pale people. Seriously, milk might be darker than I am.

He laughed (as he was supposed to).

The arts were sometimes great, sometimes bad, and sometimes goofy. I was completely enamored by an eight foot tall steel dragon with a nodding head and sparkly magenta paint. There was also an solid red elephant, a couple of giraffes, and numerous other creatures by the same artist. I so want one for my back yard!

There was another metal sculptor who used metal rods and created little (and big) forest-scapes, creatures and wall hangings. They were wonderful - way out of my price range, but wonderful. (http://robertalanhyde.com/Robert_Alan_Hyde_Metal_Sculptor/Statues.html#10)

The guy from Chicago who does back-painted glass had AMAZING stuff - all huge (and expensive) if he sells ONE piece, he'll have made the trip with all his art worth it. (http://www.presteau.com/portfolio.html)

And a buttload of jewelry. Lots of jewelry - only a little bit of it was memorable.

I got two items, Gwen got one. I got a ceramic and reed pot/basket hybrid for my mom, and a ceramic kitchen item for my brother and sister in law. The ceramic grater/mincer was purchased solely on the strength of the girl selling it. She was awesome and entertaining. She had a tent and one table, and just a few items set out on the table, and then she demonstrated the item with garlic. She mentioned that the item came with a slip of paper that described all the things you could use it for because, as she told us, "you won't have me!"

All in all a very very enjoyable day!

Yeah, I know, crazy, right?

I spent seven years in retail, and burned right out. But sometimes, like today, I realize I have forgotten how awesome some people are.

My mother is part of an artisan's co-operative store - the artists own and operate the store, taking turns working there. She is on the (small, awesome) display committee. There are three people on the committee who go in nearly every Sunday to change the windows, or change the items around in the shop to keep it fresh. Sometimes, when I'm going to be having lunch with my parents I go in and help, because the ladies are wonderful and fun (and I love spending the time with my mom). And I switch stuff around, and neaten, etc. I've even built some shelving, installed some lighting, and created a cover door to hide some unsightly light switches. Usually may dad will come in around one thirty to roust my mom and take her to Starbucks, before going home for lunch.

So today I went in just before the store opened at noon. And was moving things around as needed when the shop opened. An hour after they opened, a young couple came in and started looking around. The display committee was in the basement doing some organization, I was talking to the artist who was officially working, and restocking boxes. A woman came in to specifically talk to the artist-on-duty, and the young couple went into the back room and then upstairs. I was hanging out, readjusting scarves, and the couple came downstairs to look at the jewelry. The husband saw some necklaces that he said would be perfect for his wife's friend "C" - who was turning forty, and they were there for a gift for her.

The a-o-d was still tied up with her customer, and I asked if they wanted to look at the necklaces a little closer, and when they said yes, I got the keys to the case, and opened it up. The were interested in the intricately beaded chokers.

Long story short? After much deliberation, comparison, and trying on, they bought one! It had garnets and the beading was rope-like, and beautiful. It was also almost $300! I rock! And it was so nice to chat with them, and find out that they would definitely be back for other gifts (and stuff for themselves). They'd never been in before, but had seen one of the ads in the paper and visited the store's Web site and decided to come in because the friend, "C," is an artist herself (and I got the feeling she was difficult to buy for). So go me for hopping in and helping out! It made me feel really really good!

And the a-o-d wanted to know if I wanted a job. Yeah, sometimes I miss retail, but not. that. much!