“You can’t keep getting mad at people for sucking the life out of you it you keep giving them the straw.” ~ Unknown
Stacy and I were able to attend the Berea Craft Festival this year because they could actually have it this year (go vaccine!) The weather was pretty darn perfect and it showed in the overwhelming attendance. We’ve been going to this festival for more than a decade and agree that in all that time the Friday crowd has never been as voluminous as it was today. While it was cumbersome for us to navigate, it was great for the artisans who appeared to be doing steady, brisk business. They more than deserve it after the last year devastated their livelihoods. In fact, there were many noticeably new (to us) artisans at the festival (one all the way from Oklahoma) while an equal number of known artists were absent. I can guess why that might be, but I’d be curious to know from the artists directly what may have caused the turnover. In any case, it was a great show as usual, and kudos to Berea: They have made significant upgrades at the site that are spectacular. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there in the presence of other human beings. There were a lot more dogs this year, too, and there wasn’t a single ugly one in the bunch. BFF Deb Chenault was naturally doing good business, and as soon as I saw her sale rack, it was game over. The stuff on her sale rack is so superior to most top shelf art it’s crazy. I brought my new cache home and sorted through it to discover 75% of my jewelry is original Chenault works. It made me feel so rich, and it made me think of our beloved friend Sandy Davis who proudly wore Chenault at every opportunity. Gosh, I felt her glowing presence all day – I think all three of us did – and maybe that’s part of what made today so great. And it was a great day for sure. Support your artists if you can in whatever small way you can. (Cincinnati Reds fans will understand my mask)
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