Eulogy to Observing

While I am looking forward to starting my new land-based job, there are some things about tagging along on commercial fishing trips I will miss. Like the irony of being out on a huge, ugly, dirty, killing vessel in the midst of the most awe- (and sometimes fear-!) inspiring landscape, teeming with millions of unknown little beings beneath its surface. Like meeting interesting new people whose friendliness and general goodness remind me that my faith in humanity isn't entirely unfounded. Like relishing a night spent in one's own bed, early in and late rising, because it might happen about once a month. And the like the opportunities to take some really cool pictures like these.

Deep Into The Dungeons of "El Diablo"!

Being at the Backwoods Companion's homestead this lovely wintry morning has inspired me to try to get some wood stove shots. Back when I used to live in the cabin, the fire was anything but romantic. There was no glass front on the stove. If the chimney got too hot, it crackled like your entire house was going to go up in flames. And it was our only source of heat. Not so endearing and cozy when it was 32 degrees, I could see my breath, and I couldn't get the damn thing to catch. But now that I don't have to deal with it regularly -- totally great! Quaint! Old-timey! Possibly even romantic.

When I got the reminder for Artsy Sunday, I said, oh, well, I can't do it this Sunday because I'm not home today. But then I remembered I had my camera, and there's art to be found everywhere, especially when you have a camera!

It's not FAIR!

I've met alot of great people at craft fairs, but the events are burning a hole in my pocket and in my calendar. I've only peddled my wares at two different ones, but both times I have come out behind when I factor in table fees and materials and time to make items. I have spent about 15 hours of setup, sitting, and breakdown and Buddha only knows how many hours crafting items. I think nimble-fingered children in China making Nikes end up making more per hour than I do.

Granted, I'm not trying to support myself by doing this. I have a full-time job. Am I expecting too much of a hobby? Is breaking even too much to shoot for? Should I continue to frequent craft fairs for the comeraderie that lack of customers incites? Who else will buy from my fellow crafters if I'm not there to walk around, leaving my lonely table unattended without even a backwards glance? Are craft fairs a thing of the past? Are they still just a place for dish towels with knitted hang tops and crocheted barbie clothes? Boiled hot dogs and overpriced coffee? Dodgy baked goods and tacky knick knacks?

I'd much rather be selling my photography than selling cat toys (which I could use some nimble fingers for making -- it's so labor-intensive!). But people pass the pictures right by. They don't bother to look. It's not even that they look and don't like. They just don't look. But where is the best place to put something so it doesn't take up valuable space in your home? On the wall! I need to start buying more art, methinks, considering I have to blaze trails through the jungle of laundry and craft supplies littering my home. The only room left is on the wall.

So here's what I propose: We take back the craft fair! We should start calling them handmade arts fairs or something, anything that doesn't imply a church basement full of mothball-scented baby layette sets! I want to see more felting, more batik, more papercrafts, more original clothing and accessories, more ART. How can we do it?