Stan's sister Becky is doing what she's always done. A few weeks ago she pulled out Mom's old sewing machine, grabbed some colorful fabrics and got real crafty. Then she packed it all up and hauled it down to the Placida Saturday Arts and Crafts Show, an open air market in an historic fishing village near Becky's winter home in Venice, Florida.
Indeed. We've been watching Becky put things together all our lives. . . from our childhood days when she'd snuff her nose, scratch her head and proclaim to her younger brothers and sisters, "Let's Make Something!," -- on through her Renaissance Festival years, Uptown Art Fairs and into the colorful pages of Better Homes and Gardens magazine and their special publications. It's great to see that creative candle still shining so brightly in her retirement.
Here's a sample of what the visitors to the Placida Saturday Show perused at her booth yesterday. The crowds are light this year, sales aren't that great, maybe it's the economy, but the important thing is that she's out there in the market, still responding to that genetic urge to "Make Something!" and having fun doing it.
Becky writes:
The first time at the Placida Market (Nov. 26), I was skunked...as in my first art fair at the age of 27. I'd paid $5 to get into that one but this fair, on the gulf and the grounds of an old fishery, was FREE. No gain at this point in our lives doesn't matter, we said as we sat there...after all, it was a wonderful day in paradise under a gumbo limbo tree and we learned a lot about how this Florida market works.
First come, first serve is the rule. The free entry fee is a marvel which means there are lots of competitors for booth spaces--early arrival is necessary. It's a registered, juried show so the quality is quite good, worth the trip over for those who come to buy.
Yesterday, however, the crowds weren't there. I had a better set-up and a wonderful location. I made $4.50. Is it the economy or is it just me (my stuff)?
We're hanging it up for the holidays. The locals just aren't buying Christmas presents. Besides, brother Virg invited us for steaks on the bar-b.
Becky writes:
The first time at the Placida Market (Nov. 26), I was skunked...as in my first art fair at the age of 27. I'd paid $5 to get into that one but this fair, on the gulf and the grounds of an old fishery, was FREE. No gain at this point in our lives doesn't matter, we said as we sat there...after all, it was a wonderful day in paradise under a gumbo limbo tree and we learned a lot about how this Florida market works.
First come, first serve is the rule. The free entry fee is a marvel which means there are lots of competitors for booth spaces--early arrival is necessary. It's a registered, juried show so the quality is quite good, worth the trip over for those who come to buy. Yesterday, however, the crowds weren't there. I had a better set-up and a wonderful location. I made $4.50. Is it the economy or is it just me (my stuff)?
We're hanging it up for the holidays. The locals just aren't buying Christmas presents. Besides, brother Virg invited us for steaks on the bar-b.
