Tuesday, November 30, 2021

deadline looming


It was sunny and not humid Monday which was helpful. Even so not everything went smoothly. Actually nothing went smoothly. First I spent about an hour and a half sanding down as much of the black paint off the shadow box as I could, all by hand, but getting into corners and the seams where the trim meets the plywood was difficult. I finally decided I had done as much as I could and sprayed it with the primer. It dried fairly quickly and looked OK so I sprayed on the first coat of black. In the meantime waiting for the primer to dry I decided to put the second shadow box together. First, second, and third sides went on, fourth side did not. It was too short and the third was too long. Had to quickly pull it all apart before the glue set and wash it all off. Ended up having to cut two new pieces, drill new holes, and figured out a better way to glue the trim pieces on. Then I nailed in the little nails, so far so good until I turned it over and while everything lined up and met on the front, not so on the back and corners. So then I filled all the gaps with wood putty and sanded it all down again. It looks good. Ready to paint with the primer. By this time it was dark in the big shop and I couldn't see how well the black on the first one looked. I know I'll have to touch it up a bit.

Oh, and the roof still leaks where I made my repairs. Not as much as before I don't think but I don't know where the water is getting in, perhaps from the seams of the metal panels so I'll have to get more stuff and try again.

Today, got the second shadowbox primed and the black looks good on the first but will definitely need a second coat. Ordered my hangers today and picked them up. Got the second coat on #1 and the first coat on #2 though I think #1 is going to still need a few touch ups, especially in the corners, and of course I'm looking at the paint job with a very critical eye. Stop that! My fear is that the shadow boxes will look amateurish.



I'm starting to stress out about Saturday. Not the day but getting everything done by Friday evening. I have to decide which pieces go on the board on my display stand, which other pieces I'm taking, pricing everything (I'm going to low ball the oldest work to hopefully get rid of it), getting price tags, finding my business cards, getting packing materials in case I do sell something, getting everything packed and ready to load in the car very early Saturday morning, make sure I have what I need to put my display stand together when I get there, etc. The usual stuff. Fortunately Kathy is doing the work of deciding how all the furniture (display stands, shelves, and tables) will be arranged in the booth and still allow for traffic flow.

OK, deep breath, breathe in, breathe out. It will be fine. You are going to get to hang out with your friends all day.

And when Saturday is over, I'll have the luna moth mold to fill. A meditation of sorts. 



11 comments:

  1. I have to smile as I'll be setting up my bake sale at the Depot on Saturday as you're setting up your art exhibit. Big difference is the money I bring in won't be mine, but rather the Depot's! I'm hoping we have a lot of people and that they stay 6' away from me! LOL Take care and keep the faith! (and stay safe!)

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  2. Deep breaths - everything looks beautiful!

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  3. I read a meme awhile back that said something like, "My entire life is me saying that life has been crazy but after this week, things are going to settle down."

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  4. Deadlines, yes. My own is a medical one next week. I wish I had work to do about it, rather than just fretting, though.

    You'll get everything done, you'll have a good day, and with luck come home with less than you took in.

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  5. Good luck and hope you get lots of sales!

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  6. It sounds like a lot of work, but you're going to get it all done. I just know it! It's going to be a great Saturday.

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  7. Nothing you do look amateurish. I always wonder how artists and craft vendors feel when people stroll by and look and their work and then leave without buying anything. I wonder if I would be able to stand it. It's not judgment of course, sometimes the pocket is weak, or the piece doesn't have a place in the person's life, but I still wonder how vendors feel in the moment.

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  8. I am sure they won't look amateurish. You are an expert at these things and you have a very discerning eye! And yes, you'll get to hang out with friends -- focus on the positive, right?

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  9. I think rather than amateurish, they will look hand crafted and FABULOUS. I totally get your concern about getting everything together & having everything you need. I always wish I was a list person because it would cut down on my stress, but unfortunately I am NOT a list person.

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  10. You are so brave to tackle that frame. I hand these problems to G. It looks professional to me.

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  11. Your work shows your talent and how much of yourself goes in. My granddaughter once told me that everything I sewed for her was so special because of the love I put in it. She is a very wise young woman.

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I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.