In 1986 I was a junior at Rochester Institute of Technology in the School for American Craftsmen Weaving and Textile Design program. With encouragement from my 2 roommates I applied to exhibit at the Clothesline Art Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery. I was accepted and the event became my first experience vending at a craft show. Family and friends came out to support my endeavor and I recall it as a very positive and fun weekend. Over the past 4 decades I’ve participated in many craft shows, farmers markets, pop ups, trunk shows, and other events.
This year I decided to apply to Clothesline again and was excited to be accepted! I began making arrangements and building inventory of my handmade products. My daughter and father joined me and it was great to spend time with them as well as our Rochester cousin. Saturday started out rainy but after noon the sky cleared and the rest of the weekend was beautiful.
I made inventory right up until the day before we left and I felt like I had a good selection, especially my zipper pouches and paper garlands. Sales were strong and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
One of my favorite things about the weekend was how many people bee-lined it to my booth when they saw on my banner that I am from Montclair, NJ! I met folks from West Orange, Bloomfield, Metuchen, Verona, and Montclair! It was wild to be in Rochester and talking about Copabananas!
I have no more events planned this year. Being back in retail with the new shop is fulfilling but requires my presence which I enjoy. Clothesline Art Festival this past weekend will probably be my last craft show ever. It truly feels like a full circle moment. Clothesline was my first show, my last show, and my best show!