Back to life, back to reality...

Yes, Yes...I've been absent from the blogging world for far too long.  And no, I didn't run off to Mexico never to return though the thought did cross my mind a time or twenty seven!  I did have a fabulous time while in Mexico, so good that all of my lofty plans to blog while there faded away like a tequila-induced hazy sunset.  Our little town of Bucerias Mexico is one of my most favorite places on the planet but I did indeed return to the realities of home and work.  In fact I came back more focused than ever on my business and with a clearer vision of what I want Em's Gems to look like in the future.  I'm busily working on adding a few additional features to my already wonderful new website, adding additional inventory to the site, and creating an abundance of new jewelry designs.

Sssoooo...the weekend of Nov. 14th and 15th I was showing off my wares at the Sacramento Garden & Art Center's Fall Arts & Crafts Show.  I was located in a nice building towards the rear of McKinley Park with lots of great artists of many medias.  It turned out to be a good show for me and I even had a record low for people asking for the location of the restrooms...only two for the entire weekend!!  Without being too catty, let me share with you instead some examples of bad vendor behavior.  (O.k., maybe a little catty!)  My dear friend Julie was helping me out in my booth Saturday afternoon and when we had a lull she took a stroll around the booths to check out the other artist's work.  Upon encountering some particularly beautiful ceramic sculpture Julie commented to the artist "You do very nice work!"  (Ms. Julie was quite sincere with her words, by-the-way) The artist, Ms. Very-Self-Important, replied "You have good taste."  Ya know, a simple smile and a "thank-you" would have done just fine.  Perhaps if said artist had been just a tad bit more grateful in her attitude she wouldn't have gone home Sunday night ranting and raving to anyone who would listen about her apparent lack of sales!  And speaking of leaving...another Very-Self-Important artist left halfway through the showing, packing up her wares after closing Saturday evening.  Rumor has it that she left mad, throwing her things in boxes and flounced out.  Now, explain to me how does one expect to make any money while at home sulking, no doubt bad-mouthing the show to her friends??  How can you even hope to recoup your expenses if you don't at least show up?  I will never understand leaving a show early never plan to do so except for reason of bodily harm, personal tragedy, or random natural disaster.  Stepping off of soap box now...