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This weekend I was showing my work at the Frederick Festival of the Arts.  I've never met a nicer group of people.Set up was a little difficult as we had to dolly everything to our spot along a cute little creek. 

Apparently the Carroll Creek was always there, but the former mayor told us how they worked to contain it, while building a watershed underneath that could handle 20 greyhound busses.  This was built after the whole downtown was flooded in 1979.  I wish I were able to transfer my pictures from my phone to my computer. 

Anyway I digress, the fair was held on both sides of the creek and what a pretty sight it was. The banks of the creeks were composed of brick sidewalks.  I was very happy with my spot because I got the occassional breeze blowing thru from back to front.  This was special because Saturday was 93 and humid. On  Sunday there were storms threatening all day and the "bigger" crowds didn't materialize.

There were people out but according to the other artists I spoke with, sales were very slow. I spoke with a wood carer who had his equipmnt along and was workingn onsite.  He said he had only made enough to cover his room. A painter I spoke with also hadn't made expenses.  A photographer next to me was very disappointed as he had done way better last year.  Every repeat artist I talked with had done better in the past.  As for myself, I did make expenses and a little paycheck to boot so I wasn't  as bad off as some of the others.  I did have one customer who was debating between a bracelet at a good price and a necklace at an even better price.  When she came back she said she had decided on the bracelet.  Oh well, that's the way it goes.  Well about 45 min. later she came in and said they had left the show and after she cooled off in the car decided she had better come back for the necklace.  SHE was my profit. 

 This area has been hard hit with "sequester days" where people are being forced to take one day a week off with no pay.  Don't get me started there.  Apparently on July 1, there will start the same situation at the Dietrich Military Base which is one of the main sources of jobs in Frederick county.

On Friday night after setup there was a lovely artist party.  We didn't go because we had driven all day and were still setting up when it started.  Did hear some great music coming from that tent.  On Sat. we had box lunches which were brought to us.  How lovely!  People who were there alone really appreciated that.  On Sunday we had a small breakfast where the 2 awards were presented.  As I'm not very familiar with the east coast artists, I listened to others who agreed that the awards were given to deserving artists.  For lunch we had the same food as Saturday but had to go to the air conditioned community room in the library to get it..........that room was open to the artists all thru the fair and they had water and snacks for the taking. 

I'm not sure I would go back at this time..............mayber if Washington ever straightens out its act.  I feel bad for the people because they couldn't have done a nicer job.  They came around with weather reports and asked how the show was going.  What did we think they could do better.  One of the people who helps run the show has moved to another state and takes a week of vacation just to come back and work on the show.