It has been a busy, busy past few weeks. We unfortunately had to let one of my employees go, and we continue to have an abundance of orders. There was one week in February where we slowed down, but that has been our only break since October. The good news is I have one employee who is a go-getter and just an all-around amazing person. We also both enjoy the work and have a good sense of humor about the moments when the shit hits the fan. We also have someone who is interested in part-time work who is starting soon. This has enormously lowered my stress levels. It gives us time to spread the word about the open full-time position, eases the workload, and this person is someone I think N and I are going to work really well with.
On that note, if you know of someone who lives in the Kansas City area and loves learning new things, problem solving, building and creating awards, gifts, and pieces of art, and most importantly is someone who is accountable and really going to care deeply about our customers and projects, I am hiring! It's also a really fun place to work. Both N and I bring our dogs to work, we usually have music going, and are really collaborative in spirit. Plus the customers and their stories are everything.
I also had an art show that I just wrapped up literally today! I don't know if this is the typical artist experience, but I just keep having these incredibly amazing experiences with showing my work. I have been so fortunate to meet such beautiful, artistic, and caring souls with each opportunity.
Having an art show at Beggars Table was an experience I'm never going to forget. The whole setup and how they do it is a dream. It is both a church and gallery, which is quickly becoming my favorite combination. This is the third church I've seen recently that also supports the art community. I was so nervous for the First Friday reception! But Beggars Table has "hosts" for artists, who seem more like buddies than hosts. My two hosts, Andrew and John, were there for every question I had and super supportive. During First Friday, Andrew (who has the unicorn job of bookmobile librarian) and I chatted off and on the entire evening. It was so nice to talk about books with him inbetween all the times I worked up the courage to thank people for coming.
In addition to First Friday, Beggars Table invites their artists to a Sunday service during the time their artwork is up and gives them time at the end of the service for an artist talk. It was a beautiful place to have service, and the music was particularly lovely in the space. I had lots of opportunities to talk to people about anything and everything relating to art. Robert and I then took down the artwork today. I will be encouraging all the artists I know to apply for a show at this gallery. In addition to prints, I sold five originals, which I'm over the moon about. I even got to meet just about everyone who bought an original, with the exception of one piece.
As with a lot of moments where I'm trying to be fully present, I failed to take pictures. But I do have a couple from our setup day.
Aside from work and the art show, I have been spending some time getting ready for my first art fair this year - the Artsfest in Springfield, Missouri. I so enjoyed going last year with Robert, I told him there's no way I'm not applying again. It's such an artsy town that's very dear to me. When I was growing up, it was the place my family went to once a year to visit their mall (a mall that is still standing surprisingly), and it was the first place I lived when starting my college journey.
This year for Artsfest I will have new prints, a few new originals, stickers (which I've had many requests for and finally caved, and now hell I get it), and hopefully notebooks, but we are struggling to get the details finalized on these, so I may bring them out at my next art fair. We shall see.
It's been very busy but the good kind of busy. I should be able to devote some time to blogging and time to reflect and relish all the good that's come our way.
