Tomorrow is my second craft fair. The first one I did was in October and I loved it, so I signed up for another. Tomorrow’s is at a church near my home. I am very excited and a little nervous. One thing I tried to do did not go as planned.

November 12, I did something huge for me. I went on some big website and ordered business style cards to hand out at the craft fair. They were really pretty. I got to design them and put my blog name and email address on them in case anyone who attended could contact me if they wanted to. During the checkout, more items appeared! A sign, a t shirt! Oh my, I was excited. A t shirt “Oh, sure! I’ll buy that! I can wear it at the craft show!” A sign? “Heck yeah, add it, too. I need a sign for my booth.”

I ordered the upsales and the cards and I waited. The ship date came and passed, yet the mailbox was empty. I emailed them. The order had been cancelled. Cancelled? Hmm. No one told me. I didn’t know that until a week ago, and I checked around, it was too late to order elsewhere.

So, what’s a girl to do? Make my own. That is what I am doing today.

I am also doing something else that is huge for me. I have this one favorite piece of art I made. When I look at it, I just feel at home, if that makes any sense. Well, the canvas board I created it on warped, meaning I can’t sell it. Now, I have made a lot of amazing things to take to the show tomorrow that I absolutely love. But, I got to thinking about this favorite piece.

Honestly, I haven’t shown it to many. It is my heart, laid out there, you know? The kind where you make something that you connect to and it just feels right? The kind that makes us a bit uneasy to put out into the world? Yes, that kind. The kind where the ‘what if’s’ flow in. “What if it doesn’t get a second glance? What if no one likes it? What if it doesn’t sell? What if, what if, what if…”

So, what’s a girl to do? Why would I take a piece of art to a show if I’m scared to put out it there?

What comes to mind is one of my favorite movies, called “We Bought a Zoo.” Twice in the movie questions were asked about why to do something. And, after brief pauses, the answer was, “why not?”

That is so brilliant. For me, it makes the fear of laying my heart/art out there step-over-able. Why not put my heart out there? Why not show a little of my authentic? Why not take a chance? Maybe someone will love it. Maybe someone won’t. And, that is ok. It doesn’t change me as a person or an artist.

So, today I will make my cards and sign. I will also make another piece or two of my favorite warped piece. Then, tomorrow I will show up with everything I made, favorite pieces and all. I guess I can take a chance on my art, because, why not?

Here is some of the stuff I made that I am taking to the show and the first one is my warped favorite piece! (there goes the idea of not putting it into the world, haha!)

Well, I guess I better get busy! I’ll try to check in after the show and let you know how it goes! Thanks for reading.

Jessica