I’ve done the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Annual Fair, or “Sunapee” as we Leaguers call it somewhat affectionately, for eleven years now. Twelve, if you count the year I exhibited but didn’t have a booth.
It kinda wrecks summer. Just as school gets out and the weather gets nice and things slow down, just as I’m sitting in a sidewalk cafe enjoying a well-earned margarita, just as I’m wondering what to do with all my free time, I realize….
It’s time to ramp up inventory for the fair.
It’s time to make sure I have enough gift boxes, labels, working booth lights, spare parts and wall hangings for this nine-day show.
It’s time, in short, to PANIC.
I hate the panic. I hate the hot. (I’m actually not wild about summer. I hate bugs and sun.) I hate the realization that I forgot to order more clasps, wire, chain, polymer clay. I hate worrying about everything I have to pull together to make it work.
Fortunately, I love my customers. And I love making my stuff.
I also love the creative energy that wells up in response to my panic. Suddenly, there are simply too many wonderful ideas and new ideas to work on.
Anything to keep from thinking about the more boring tasks, like updating my mailing list. And looking for those boxes. And wondering if I have ALL the parts to my booth this year. And trying to remember where I put the light bulbs I bought last year when I realized I didn’t have enough the day before set-up???
Yes, making otters and stones and earrings and necklaces is much more fun!
I love playing with these new riverstone beads I’ve made…. 
I drag out all my little storage cases of handmade beads, including teeny tiny beads I use as accents.
I love how all my artifacts look gathered together. I tend to make little “arrangements” with them in between projects. But when it’s time to put designs together, it’s better if they’re neatly sorted. 
I love to see all the little animal artifacts gathered into “herds”. Of course, it’s not so fun to pick all the chains apart after! 
So there you have it, a little peek into my studio today. I’ve having a little trouble putting the photos where I want them. So if you’re confused, trust me, it isn’t YOU.
Aren’t you glad I didn’t show you the four foot tall pile of papers waiting to be filed?
Luann Udell 
OMG I want it all! lol I want to see all the goodies, and I want I want little animals !! Good luck
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I’m trying to keep this a secret but….
THESE ARE FOR SALE! You can have them in exchange for a little money!!!
(Okay, sorry, that was my money devil talking…)
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lol I know they are for sale. But they are not photographed in a “buy me now” manner…. they are photographed in a “come and see us all set up to be bought at the fair” manner. Maybe after the fair you will have some critters left. It’s just not the same as seeing them in person though. 😦
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I loved the peek at your studio Luanne- You are such an inspiration!!
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Well, before you get too admiring, remember I only picked the clean and neat and pretty things to photograph…. :^D
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OMG! You said it so well! It Does wreck summer! This is my 4th year, and have always intended to stop production June 30th, so I can “have a summer”. hahahaha !
As a potter, I am still firing, and its July, and its 100 outside….but it is so worth it! See you at the fair.
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I know, it seems like all the best ideas pop up about three days before the Fair…..!!!
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