Spring, sprung

[offcntr]

Opening day of Market had a bit of everything. Sun. Showers. Sun Showers. Downpours, Hail--on two separate occasions. Wind gusts strong enough to flip my neighbor's booth over on its side (Velcro straps are not strong enough to hold booth weights in place). Fortunately, he caught the shelf with the really expensive pieces at about 45°, and I was able to take them off without any damage.

We also had a crowd of slug queens blow through, along with the obligatory local TV news camera.

And? Really good sales.

Ten years ago, I was getting worried about my future as a potter. It seemed my best customers were middle-aged to elderly women, and they were all beginning to downsize. I figured I had five years at most before my business dried up.

Instead, I've been discovered by college students.

It's kinda delightful. They're so excited, pointing out this or that pattern to each other, reminding which thing they got at Christmas or how many pieces they have in the cupboard. I'm still getting visited by my established customers--the couple that broke a soup bowl, so bought three more, the real estate agent who began buying my work to dress houses and became a collector. But it's so much fun sharing stories and art with a new generation. And their purchases add up. Less than ten dollars short of $1200 for the day.

Load in was grey and threatening, but only spit rain for about five minutes. Load out was a mix of sun and brief showers, but the timing meant the pots got in the van dry, even if I'm gonna have to set the booth out to air later this week. They're predicting sunny and 70° for next Saturday. Happy New Year!