Well the first day we did...by the second day you could say that we were ready to return to our bubbles of selling online.

I’ll speak for myself when I say that doing art shows/fairs like these is intense. I have the utmost respect for artists who literally travel the country attending art festivals to sell their work. The lugging and hauling, assembling, disassembling alone. Not to mention the non-stop socializing and visiting, often repeating your creative process over and over, so that all your neighboring crafters know your story and your process by heart.

And speaking of my crafting neighbors, they were the BEST! Not only did my new BFF (best friend forever for those you not familiar with the lingo) Sharon keep me laughing all day, but the other Etsy artists and their work ~ LOVE them!!! It was a pretty small group of us in one main room, as seen in the photo above, my table next to Sharon’s and her husband Spencer. After two days together, we were bonded, especially due to the shared experience of the let’s just call it interesting and extremely LOUD improvisational music that played us out on Saturday evening.

When you sell online exclusively it’s important to get out there and mix it up ~ actually talk to the people in person who are buying your art. Even though I hit social overload by the second day, I really did have a lot of fun meeting so many new people ~ not to mention that the event was held in an especially inspiring "L.A. styled" and hipster space.

As my exhaustion from this extremely busy last 8 days begins to settle, I’m particularly happy and appreciative to be back in my little online world. I like it here! And I’m just so endlessly grateful that the online world continues to support us in the way that it does.

I also wanted to say that every order that has been placed from the update until this morning, is officially on its way. Yesterday was entirely dedicated to preparing and shipping packages with Sean’s help ~ so if you recognize some new handwriting on the envelopes...it’s Sean’s ~ thank you so much Sean~ (even though he lives with me, I still find him checking in on the ol' blog from time time ~ yup, he’s a lurker :)) ...correction, he says he "comments in person". ;)

I’m going to leave you with a list of my new friends and fellow Etsyians I *heart* ~ again not only do these ladies create the most beautiful work, but they are such lovely, lovely people.

Sharon Montrose ~ you already know her :), because I’m her newest stalker fan and I mention her all the time these days on my blog. And this is just for her if she even has time to still read this blog "IT’S A RIVER OTTER!!!!!!!" (which by the way that print is particularly striking in person)

Chocolate and Steel ~ beautiful jewelry ~ hi Christine!

Brokesy the best laptop covers ever, not to mention the Yeti ornament that I brought home.

Elsita ok, this wonderful lady and her creativity ~ amazing

Modern Pop you have to check out her "little No. garden" print ~ so pretty!

Krank Press my calendar choice for this year!

Leaf People I also had to come home with one of Donna’s sweet creations

(As Spencer said about the show "$25 in...$23 out") That’s what we crafters do, support each other.

I’m off to put my disaster of a studio back together, catch up on email and enjoy more time by my Christmas tree. See you back here soon, maybe even with some new creations...oh how I miss my daily painting!