It’s September, the time that many of us consider the real New Year. You know, when you get back on a more regular schedule, stop drinking (as many) margaritas, and think more serious thoughts, like am I freaking crazy trying to sell hooked rugs in this day and age? I mean, most people that show up at my booth don’t even know what the hell they’re looking at. Is that weaving? (We are in New Mexico.) Hey, I did that in the 70s… And rugs aren’t usually the cheapest item up for sale at the fair or market or wherever they’re being sold.
My summer sale season started out very well. Sold a big rug right out of the gate. First weekend at the Rail Yards was good too. Then there were a few weeks of…nothing. Didn’t happen that way last year. Fortunately, it’s picked up lately, and finally going the Instagram way has helped too. One of my rugs will soon be winging its way north to Washington all because someone saw a pic and looked up my website. Woohoo! Actually, I like Instagram. Lots of pretty pictures and little typing.
So, why do we do it? Why do some of us try to sell our hooked rugs? In my case, the rugs were building up. They cost money to make, so I thought why not try to recoup some costs. To actually make money would be gravy. Of course, if one takes into account the TIME it takes to make a rug, I’m actually paying to make the damn things. But that’s okay. That’s the point, in fact. Whether I sell them or not, I’ll make them because hooking is a passion. And I really like making all kinds of rugs – even mug rugs – especially when I can switch it up all the time. One week it’ll be mug rugs, the next some larger, arsty-fartsy thing. It’s about the creativity.
Okay, and rug hooking lets me watch my television shows without falling asleep in my chair.
The reality is that I like hanging at art shows and markets. If I wasn’t a vendor, I’d be there buying things. At least manning the booth keeps my Visa bill down. Even better, I get to chat up all kinds of folks and spread the gospel of fiber arts. Sure, if I’m having a tough day and folks just aren’t stopping by, there’s a snarky inner monologue that starts going through my brain, but at least I have a purpose. And, hey, I feel just like all the other artists there.
And to that effect, for anyone who’s going to be in the Albuquerque general area (you know, within a couple hundred miles), besides my final two Sundays at the Rail Yards (September 24 and October 15), I’ve been accepted into three other fall shows.
- Saturday, September 23 – Mama’s Minerals 12th Annual Arts and Crafts Show
Did this one last year with friend and guildmate Cathy Kelly. Glad they moved it to the fall (from August). Lots of vendors and a big crowd are guaranteed. Albuquerque. - Sunday, October 1 – OffCenter Folk Art Festival
Have shopped this one and really enjoyed it. Especially the giant puppet parade! (You’ll have to come see it yourself.) Robinson Park in Albuquerque. - Friday, November 16 – Sunday, November 18 – Fall Fiber Fiesta, 2017
This is the one that I’m really quite proud to have been juried into. Sure, I’ve taught a class at EVFAC, which organizes the show, but you never know what with all the fab fiber artists who live in the area. It’s a big show, and it takes place in Santa Fe at the Scottish Rite Temple. Friday evening is a meet and greet with the artists; the show-proper runs Saturday and Sunday. Not sure how I’ll handle the commute yet, but that’s a question for another day.
Tynan presents “What’s on the frame” today. I can’t help but feel the season – even when it’s 90+ degrees in the desert. The leaves are already turning in the Bosque! Anyway, this is a double mug rug. The mugs have tree forms on them. That’s all. Why not a landscape rug hooked with all kinds of fibers? The trees are Ultrasuede!
Tell us, if you’re a hooked rug vendor (the rugs, not the raw materials), why do you pop a tent and try to sell your wares?
Tynan: Does she still have the sunflower mat?
Tell her to bring it to the meeting next week with the price tag on it…..
Hey, Cath – it’s available. Grab it Thursday or even Saturday. 🙂
I think you are the only hooker I know who sells. (At this moment you may be the only hooker I am in touch with!) I have always wanted to sell my work and have done it on and off over the years. Stuff does build up but I also think it’s a validation – that someone would pay for something hand made. I seem to be too lazy to get my butt in gear though. I did have a tax number at one point, which worried Peter. I guess if I do Etsy I will need one. And I’ve noticed that the SC craft fairs require one. I feel like I will try to sell handwoven things and perhaps hooked things. I have thought about selling quilts forever, but I’m thinking something very useful – mug rugs, dish/hand towels – makes sense. To be continued….
Just finished breakfast on an island in Lake Champlain. The wedding is this afternoon. Of course Vermont is having a heat wave and everything I brought is going to be too hot!!! We had a nice drive up and are enjoyeing being in NE again.
Sounds like a perfect time in Vermont, Deb. (Other than the clothes, but that’s what stores are for!) Hope it’s nice when Tom and I drive next month. You will need that tax number. I’ve never found it that burdensome except in Connecticut, where you paid $100 for the privilege of collecting taxes for the state. What a rip-off. And they didn’t have any exceptions for “little people” like an artist doing one show there. Between weaving, hooking, and sewing/quilting, you could have a kick-ass shop!