What a way to spend a day!
Posted by Sioux Jackson on Saturday, October 2, 2010
After 6 weeks of preparing artwork and calligraphy for "the big day", I'm really glad to say it's all over now!
What a day! Whenever someone is having a personal event, they have their "bridal nightmare". That's one of those dreams she has, with what could go wrong on the day. 9 times out of 10 it's that moment when the preacher says, "if anyone knows of any just cause why these two people should not be married, speak now......" at which point the nightmare develops into a 20 minute silence, while waiting for someone to come up with a reason. My own nightmare was that no one would come today! I would sit there all day twiddling my thumbs and looking longingly at the passing customers. How wrong could I be?
After setting up, and grabbing a quick cup of tea at 9:50 am, I was ready to head out to my table and wait and see what happened. I already had two people there! City Councillor George Roberts, and a lovely gentleman who'd come in to chat specifically about pen and ink, and who came quite a distance to do so. I didn't know the flyers had travelled quite so far!
There was a steady stream throughout the day of young and old, new and advanced and the generally curious. Lots of praise for my work, and questions on techniques. I only heard one uncomplimentary remark all day. One young man, whose girlfriend pointed out the framed pictures and said she thought they were wonderful, but who himself turned round and disdainfully stated, "They're not drawings, they're just cheap and bad copies of old photos". Well done Sir, you caught me out. You have all the qualifications to be a media art critic.......
I was surprised to find how well I knew the shop's stock. People seemed to assume that I was a member of staff and would frequently ask where they could find something. There was only one occasion when two boys asked for something extremely technical sounding, and I wondered if I should direct them to the nearest garage, but fortunately the stoic John was on hand to point them to what they were looking for. But I spent half the day telling people, "Tracedown? Ah yes, it is in stock. Aisle one, right hand side, just after all the packs of A4 card", "Oh, I'm sorry, yes,scraperfoils used to be upstairs, but if you go downstairs now, you'll find it on the wall directly opposite the stairs, and next to the paint by numbers", "oh, you can buy those in multipacks like these, or for individual letters, you'll find these kinds of fancy papers on the wall at the end of aisle one just on the corner, and you'll find there's matching envelopes to go with them". Paul, I think I should get a lollipop stick, a white coat, and a commission for directing people........
I got to meet some lovely people. Taggart, I'm really glad I was able to help, and don't forget to let us know how you're getting on. For young Ethan, I hope your drawing of "Papa" didn't get wet on the way home, and have a lovely 9th birthday when it comes Cara! Marion, keep your chin up, you'll get through it. For so many more whose names I don't recall, thanks for all the nice things you had to say!
I really do have to specially thank some people. Councillor George, once again, thanks for taking the time to come out and support this, it was a pleasant surprise to see you first thing this morning! Paula Roeder Blake, from thousands of miles away, who took them time to send me a good wishes message first thing this morning. The other Paula too! For bringing me a cup of tea this afternoon. My addictions must be showing! Paul Miller, for taking a chance on something like this, and Susie for being so enthusiastic about getting it going. The shop staff on the day: poor Shona and Caitlin. I don't think I got their names in order once when sending customers their way. The ever calm Karen, as nothing seems to fluster you whatsoever. Except for invitiations for coffee. (she knows what I mean, don't ask.....), but the lingering memory of the day will definitely have to go to Elaine. When setting up this morning, a particularly stubborn easel wouldn't comply with her instructions, and she demanded it behave itself. I responded that I was glad I wasn't the only person who talked to inanimate objects. She replied, "I often talk to inanimate objects. I call them Staff." Any lingering tendrils of nervousness I mught have been experiencing up till that point, were uprooted, and thrown in the compost heap at that point. And people call ME droll......
But....I had a blast. To think I get PAID to spend six hours listening to wow comments at my drawings, and people asking for my art advice. I can only repeat the heading of this entry: what a way to spend a day!
What a day! Whenever someone is having a personal event, they have their "bridal nightmare". That's one of those dreams she has, with what could go wrong on the day. 9 times out of 10 it's that moment when the preacher says, "if anyone knows of any just cause why these two people should not be married, speak now......" at which point the nightmare develops into a 20 minute silence, while waiting for someone to come up with a reason. My own nightmare was that no one would come today! I would sit there all day twiddling my thumbs and looking longingly at the passing customers. How wrong could I be?
After setting up, and grabbing a quick cup of tea at 9:50 am, I was ready to head out to my table and wait and see what happened. I already had two people there! City Councillor George Roberts, and a lovely gentleman who'd come in to chat specifically about pen and ink, and who came quite a distance to do so. I didn't know the flyers had travelled quite so far!
There was a steady stream throughout the day of young and old, new and advanced and the generally curious. Lots of praise for my work, and questions on techniques. I only heard one uncomplimentary remark all day. One young man, whose girlfriend pointed out the framed pictures and said she thought they were wonderful, but who himself turned round and disdainfully stated, "They're not drawings, they're just cheap and bad copies of old photos". Well done Sir, you caught me out. You have all the qualifications to be a media art critic.......
I was surprised to find how well I knew the shop's stock. People seemed to assume that I was a member of staff and would frequently ask where they could find something. There was only one occasion when two boys asked for something extremely technical sounding, and I wondered if I should direct them to the nearest garage, but fortunately the stoic John was on hand to point them to what they were looking for. But I spent half the day telling people, "Tracedown? Ah yes, it is in stock. Aisle one, right hand side, just after all the packs of A4 card", "Oh, I'm sorry, yes,scraperfoils used to be upstairs, but if you go downstairs now, you'll find it on the wall directly opposite the stairs, and next to the paint by numbers", "oh, you can buy those in multipacks like these, or for individual letters, you'll find these kinds of fancy papers on the wall at the end of aisle one just on the corner, and you'll find there's matching envelopes to go with them". Paul, I think I should get a lollipop stick, a white coat, and a commission for directing people........
I got to meet some lovely people. Taggart, I'm really glad I was able to help, and don't forget to let us know how you're getting on. For young Ethan, I hope your drawing of "Papa" didn't get wet on the way home, and have a lovely 9th birthday when it comes Cara! Marion, keep your chin up, you'll get through it. For so many more whose names I don't recall, thanks for all the nice things you had to say!
I really do have to specially thank some people. Councillor George, once again, thanks for taking the time to come out and support this, it was a pleasant surprise to see you first thing this morning! Paula Roeder Blake, from thousands of miles away, who took them time to send me a good wishes message first thing this morning. The other Paula too! For bringing me a cup of tea this afternoon. My addictions must be showing! Paul Miller, for taking a chance on something like this, and Susie for being so enthusiastic about getting it going. The shop staff on the day: poor Shona and Caitlin. I don't think I got their names in order once when sending customers their way. The ever calm Karen, as nothing seems to fluster you whatsoever. Except for invitiations for coffee. (she knows what I mean, don't ask.....), but the lingering memory of the day will definitely have to go to Elaine. When setting up this morning, a particularly stubborn easel wouldn't comply with her instructions, and she demanded it behave itself. I responded that I was glad I wasn't the only person who talked to inanimate objects. She replied, "I often talk to inanimate objects. I call them Staff." Any lingering tendrils of nervousness I mught have been experiencing up till that point, were uprooted, and thrown in the compost heap at that point. And people call ME droll......
But....I had a blast. To think I get PAID to spend six hours listening to wow comments at my drawings, and people asking for my art advice. I can only repeat the heading of this entry: what a way to spend a day!
