Chemainus Artisans in the Dark...er...Park

Had a spot at the "Artisans in the Park", an annual Chemainus 'event' that saw a total of 16, instead of about 60 artisans show up, and not many more folks to come by and view, and hopefully, buy...
As per many events these days, it was a disappointment regarding sales figures, but as always, there were enough bright spots to make it worthwhile..
In the photos below I encountered very talented people who had something unique to offer..and please forgive the photos, it's very difficult to take them in the bright sun, and with most vendors trying to hide themselves away in the shade...
The photographer, Tony, is also an accomplished carpenter, and agreed to build some display shelves for me..he actually understood what I wanted, something that hasn't happened in discussions with other carpenters..
There was a wonderful First Nations carver, proudly holding up a piece he was still working on, and selling the pieces on the table in front of him, beautiful examples of local British Columbia traditional work.
These amazing metal sculptures on view were, in my mind, the best stuff at the show, with recycled bits of silverware, old tea party and flower-arranging silverplate, copper, and otherwise, remanufactured into amazing fantasy creatures worthy of any sculptor..wish I had done better, would have probably succumbed and bought a piece from the seller...just wonderful!
Also the first time in many years that I also showed my paintings..and I got a good response to all my work, which is always gratifying..
As always, met some nice people and who knows what the future holds?

The Big One! Chemainus Annual Street Market!!

There is just a slight bit of irony in that title, because this is such a four horse little town (that's right, there are four (count 'em) horses downtown (all three blocks of it) pulling tourists around in wagons; I'm breathless with their laziness, but guess most of them don't know where to go anyhow..
And, every year in the brutal heat, Chemainus rents out 10X10 spaces up and down the main drag and people come from miles around to shop it and sell there...kind of like that giant 3 State one in the US, but much smaller..much, much smaller..
Still, everyone says it's a great sale, so looking forward to it..instead of having a yard or garage sale I'll share a space with a friend and get rid of a bunch of stuff...
Have to make room for more stuff, right?

A Saga of Epic Disaster....

Hello. dear Readers!
Last Wednesday was my first time at the Chemainus Street Market, and quite an experience was has by all..
Personally, had a literal river running through my booth, as an out-of-nowhere flash flood decided to leave us a deposit, a big one, and soaked customers went flying off back to tourist buses, every seller ran to their vehicles to grab the supposedly unnecessary canopy walls to protect their goods...and I sold absolutely nothing that day...
Despite the epic weather and lack of sales, I met some nice people and it's always interesting to start at a new location; gonna try not to let myself get too discouraged.
In the pics I've included, you can see the unique pottery of Pogie, a man with a lot of charm and blarney who is a retired art teacher..I think his things are like no one else's, and I'm a big fan of the original..
The Holdens were selling next to me at the last Saturday Duncan Market, and here they are at Chemainus, too, with their fragrant (but not overpoweringly so) milled soaps and lotions..very pretty, and very reasonable, and milled soap lasts forever..
Maggie..what can I say, in another, wealthier lifetime I would love for this woman to tailor-make my clothes for me. You should see the delight on peoples`faces when they first arrive at her booth..
I`ve saved Bill, (looking down to make sure I get the full effect of his printed apron,) standing amidst the colourful flowers and produce of Providence Farm..I`ve blogged about the Farm before. Last year, I did a Christmas Fair at their pretty chapel building, in the middle of acreage and horse paddocks..they are a wonderful organization..but trust Bill to not be looking into the camera..
Well, off to the Duncan Market tomorrow, better weather, and hopefully some sales..
Canada Post began rotating strikes at Midnight last night (Thursday) so the giveaway will have to wait...

Drudgemaster Chronicles...

Well, I'm all moved in (but not, of course, all unpacked).
Just ran out the door for some staple groceries - parmesano reggiano, extra virgin olive oil (love that oxymoron) some Worchestershire Sauce (Wooster sauce) and something else i'm having trouble recalling...oh, yeah, coconut oil, in the 'creme' form, which I use to tart up my oatmeal, along with some bluebrries, once or twice a week for brekkie (helpful household hint-buy it at the grocery store instead of the 'health' food store- half the price, 'healthier' for yer budget, kids!)...and I also voted (Canadian Federal Election)....
So trying to fit a two-bedroom, crowded apartment into a much smaller one bed with a bit of a closet/den type space...being a bit of a hoarder, it has very recently come to my attention that I need to have a yard sale, and fast!
Glad to be here, though, and if any of you feel like it, Google "Chemainus, BC, Canada" and have a look at our main claim to fame...go ahead, it's painless and kinda cool..we have busloads of tourists driving through looking at 'em all the time..what, you say?
Aha! like I said, Google "Chemainus" and discover for yourself...
Meantime, while you are distracted with all that, I'll sneak away and try and create order out of the chaos that is my new home...wish me luck.