It was a week-day, and a local morning news show was on television keeping me company as I prepared for work. During a short break in the newscast, the news person, took a few minutes to interview a woman, who was promoting an arts and crafts show that was to be held locally.

During the interview, the news person asked the woman several general questions about the upcoming show, and if there would be plenty, of what he called, "Nick-knacks and novelties" at the show. I was appalled when I heard that statement! How DARE YOU!

What do you see when you attend an arts and crafts show? You see blood, sweat, and tears; long hours; blisters; rejection slips; failures; frustrations and plenty of sob stories from the people displaying their work! The devotion and dedication these people have put into their work cannot be measured, as they try to be the best in their field!

The artists, displaying their work, did not get to this level overnight! There's no magic dust here...no free lunch, either! After they've gotten to this level, as to the quality of their work, they then have to find the courage to go out in front of the public and show and/or sell their work. To do this, they have to price their work, which I think is the most difficult thing in the whole process. What is a piece of your work worth to someone? What is the piece worth to you in dollars? How much did you spend to make it?

"Nick-knacks and novelties?" How dare you!

Bare Walls and Empty Spaces

What is one of the first things a person does, when moving into a house, an apartment or an office? Decorating the place is usually someplace at the top of the to-do list. Family photographs; wonderful drawings produced by a child with crayons; a special painting on the wall; that great-looking piece of pottery on the bookcase; a piece of furniture you made yourself; or surrounding yourself with your favorite books...your library! Yes, art, craft and writing pieces can enrich all of our lives!

I am a woodcarver, and out of the art and craft world. So, I don't have a writing background whatsoever. But, many years ago, I was invited to join the Southwest Writers Workshop, by the then President of the organization, who was quite accomplished, having published over 5,000 of her articles in some of the top magazines and newspapers in the country. With over 1,000 members nationwide, SWW has some of the most talented and accomplished writers anywhere. Needless to say, I was flattered by the invitation, but at the time, I didn't feel comfortable around writers, etc.

As if I didn't have enough rejection slips and bombs in the art and craft world, I had to go out and get more rejection slips in the world of writing! Little by little, I started to wallpaper my, "I Love Me" wall with rejection slips, and I quickly had a new respect for writers! And, I was upset with myself, as I stuck my nose in the difficult field of writing...I HAD TO BE CRAZY!

But, without the writer, there would be no movies; no songs; little or no advertising; no books; no newspapers; not much television; and there would not be many websites either! Almost everything would be re-runs. So, writers are important in this society and they don't get the credit due.

"Nick-knacks and novelties"? How dare you!

After participating in over 40 arts and crafts shows, I have had my share of bombs! And, when I do something...I like to do it right. So, if I am going to bomb at an arts and crafts show...I like to do it right! (boo-hoo) Years ago, I participated a show in a small town just south of Albuquerque, N.M. (my home town) It was the Fourth of July week-end and there were gobs of people there that day, and many of them came back that night for the fireworks, etc. Despite the heavy traffic all day, I sold NADA...NOTHING...ZIP...ZERO! (boo-hoo) Boy, that will sure take the wind out of your sails! Very few stopped at my display that dreadful day! "Do I have leprosy?" I thought to myself, as people kept on walking on by, as if I didn't exist!

* * *

In another disaster, I was participating in a three day show on the plaza in Old Town (Albuquerque, NM). Everything went well for me the first two days as far as sales were concerned. And, on Sunday of the show, it was a quiet afternoon and the plaza was filled with locals and tourists, when all of a sudden and without warning...THE SPRINKLERS CAME ON!

You have NOT seen panic, until you see over 100 exhibitors scatter in every direction and tourists and locals do the same! Chaos and madness ruled! All of us got soaked in a matter of seconds! Paintings tumbled to the ground; the sound of pottery and ceramic pieces came crashing down on the sidewalk; and several displays fell over! I quickly put my work in boxes under the tables, and covered them with plastic, and hoped for the best. Later, in checking my work, I didn't lose too much! But, many people lost their shirts that awful day! We all "took a bath," that day, both literally and figuratively!

Nick-knacks and novelties?" How dare you?

So, a lot of this is not, necessarily, about sawdust; paint; shutter speed; clay; fabric; glass; ceramic or a sheet full of commas and periods...IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY! Whether the piece is produced by an artist, a craftsperson or a writer...what do you see on the face on the person you have given that special gift? A glow on the face...a warm smile...and a "thank you!"