Monday, June 1, 2009

I'm Baaack!

I'm here and not remotely prepared to face the day of laundry and inventory that awaits me. I'm certain to give a more thorough analysis of the weekends Maker Faire experience but here's the quick rundown. I wish I could say that I saw many wonderful sites and explored the maze of creativity that abounded and the fair, but truth is I arrived at 8 each morning, trudged back to the Carnival Mechanique and laid anchor. The crowd volume was intense and there was little time for anything other than minding our tables and talking to the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people that swarmed by us. I literally did not use the bathroom the entire time I was at the fair.

The wind was awful both days requiring us to continually rescue our own displays as well as our teammates. This also made it almost unbearable cold in the shade, so awesome outfits were hidden by wraps and jackets. We also had the added bonus of a steam powered locomotive directly behind us that sounded its horn at intervals throughout each day causing us to stop and plug our ears mid conversation. The sport of choice was browsing with a side of extreme business card grazing, but I think all the members of our group as well as the folk that sent in items to sell, sold something at least. Though I have yet to do my inventory, I think I did fairly well overall. I feel that at least the trip did not end up costing me any money.

The absolute best parts of the faire for me were the people. I heard and uttered the phrase, 'I know you from the Internet' countless numbers of times. I finally met all me new best friends form the steamteam and found my blind date fear of rejection was ill founded and they were fabulous and my daughter bonded unexpectedly with the other Pamela aka ClockworkCrow. I met several folks from instructables and got my special button for my presence on their site. I also spent many hours explaining tatting as well as Steampunk and I think we brought many people into both camps.

I have much more to share, but for now, here's a few pictures...sorry to say they were not many taken...except by complete strangers.

9 comments:

that_rat said...

Sorry, I meant to take many more pictures of everyone there, but had to kidlings to chase around. If there is a next time, there will be MANY more pictures of your stuff and anyone else involved!

Tom Banwell said...

Glad to see you were able to fill my old space!

AJ said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, despite the windy cold! Can't wait to hear more as you get settled back in :)

Sarah Dungan said...

Hearing you tell your daughter "Go find the Other Pamela" was pretty priceless!

that_rat said...

Yeah, she was pretty distraught when she couldn't find her until she found the daddy long legs. Those poor daddy long legs had no chance for privacy when she was through with them! No daddy long legs were hurt, just thoroughly inspected...

dalij said...

That's my girl. Did Xandra get into the daddy long legs too?

tattrldy said...

Sounds like you had a great experience! I've been out for shows in the cold and it's amazing we stick it out. Maybe next time it will be warmer.

Valerie said...

i like you in your mask and cuffs. so cool! and i'm sure those are good advertising pieces at the fair!

. c h o k l i t . said...

And I learned something at the Faire too, besides how awesome TotusMel and her family are... Tatting is NOT a lost art. ;-)