Tormented Mind Sanctuary at the Oakdale Mall

Last Saturday, my daughter, Kirstin, and I were among the many craft and yard sale vendors set up in front of the shops at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, NY. This was our first time selling at the Garage & Craft sale. Most of the craft vendors were spread out from the middle to the end by Payless. Meanwhile, the garage sale vendors filled up the other side of the mall. 

Set up near GNC and Verizon, our tables were a mixture of Kirstin and her husband, Josh, handmade items and my own.

Kirstin and Josh from Tormented Mind Sanctuary just finished setting up as people were starting to come in the mall. 

Kirstin's main and the best seller at our tables were her handmade miniature notebooks. The covers, made from commonly found trading cards, caught the eye of both children and adults alike. She also had earrings and necklaces she made from comic books. Plus magnets made with all of ours and my other daughter's, Megan, art.

One of Kirstin's notebooks using a trading card. (Don't worry. None of the hard to find, or expensive ones were used.)

For this craft sale, I brought some of my leather pouches, earrings, witch hats, bookmarks, and leather phone cord wraps. It's always a guess of what might sell well depending on the craft show, or Con. While people fingered through the cord wraps, no one bought any this time. Same with the witch hats. But the jewerly, leather pouches, and bookmarks did well. Some of the leather earrings I made the night before sold quickly. 

We try to bring extra when we sell. Hands on people are expected. There's always that individual who will pick up a notebook and bend the cover out of shape before deciding not to buy it. Or try to stretch out a pouch and sniff it to make sure it's actual leather. We did get some of the usual, “I can make that,” comments. Face it, all crafters and artists hear that. One person took a bunch of pictures and notes. I don't know for what though. While another woman stopped to go through her purse as she set it on top of my witch hats as if it didn't matter. 

Still, most of the people, sellers and buyers, were nice and friendly. Such a mixture of vendors. I didn't see anyone selling the same type items other than jewelry. Even that had a big variety. I would have liked to look around at other tables more, but the mall grew crowded. More so towards the end of the event. We had a lot people come to our table. 

I'm sure we'll do this again next year. It's local, which makes it far easier to go. I know what I'd take to sell that would do better. The only artwork I brought were on the magnets and bookmarks. A few people wanted to see my actual paintings and prints. I think my leather purses would have done well here too.

There's always next time.

-Trace

P.S. Bare with me. I know it's been a while since I've posted. There is more to come.  

First Time in Gallery Show

This past Friday I attended Scott Church's 11th Annual Legacy Show. My first time, really. First time going to a photography show away from home. Plus, the first time having my work included in the gallery along with 100+ photographers. 

Me before my three bird prints. The branch one on the left is my daughter's, Kirstin Renee.

My husband and my daughter talked me into it. The second of which also hung her photography in the show. 

Kirstin in front of her print titled, "Endicott".

At first, I thought my photos were out of place. Most framed prints were of models, many nudes, in various poses and surroundings. Scattered here and there were landscape and concept photos. Unless I missed something, mine were the only wildlife images. I felt better when the crowd started coming in and there was some real interest in my photography. Especially, my eagle photo. A spur of the moment addition since I took the photo only a few days before. Hey, I had a great model for that one. He wasn't at all shy about a camera.   

I'll admit I could have done better. In my social skills, that is. Kirstin jumped right in whenever she saw someone taking an interest in our work. She had no problems striking up a conversation. I felt like I was out of my element. I'm used to being a behind the scenes artist. The photography scene is new to me. I have lots to learn.  It seemed like most photographers and models knew each other and, for the most part, stuck together. Even so, most who stopped to talk were nice.  A few other first timers talked with us. So did a few who've been a part of the past shows. 

There was one person though (and it seems there's always at least one), who was pretty vocal.

"Amateur, amateur, amateur..." he said as he went down the line pointing at every photo. "You see, they put all the professionals downstairs and the amateurs up here." Is what he said to his companion. As I understood it, they put the first ones there downstairs and had to eventually move upstairs too. Obviously, close friends, and such, were going to be put on the 1st floor. Either way, he seemed awfully rude as he did this in front of the photographers. It was unnecessary and in poor taste.

All in all, it was an interesting night and it was great to be included. If asked, I'd probably do it again. Being more prepared the next time.

--Trace