Monday, October 31, 2011

Joyce In Her Happy Place

It takes months to prepare for a sale like this one. An inventory of approximately seventy bags made in one's "spare time" is a labour of love that often means a cluttered house, less than perfect meals, and a suspicion that I'm slowly being buried alive.

But the rewards!
Pulling into Brandon on Friday evening after a full week of work and last minute prep, my daughters and I set forth to set up a booth. To transform a bland rectangle of the Keystone Center into an appealing shop.

And when it was done, and the doors opened Saturday morning- we were ready! All the bags displayed around me, all that work behind me, and the fun about to begin.

Feeling grateful that I was positioned beside a fragrant beeswax candle vendor, I breathed a big honey-infused breath and anticipated the day's customers.
I was not to be disappointed.
Brandon was generous and kind. I met some new friends, and connected with some old. I put a face to one of my online shoppers. I enjoyed the helpfulness of my daughters. And I sold a lot of bags.

Enough bags to anticipate the need to edit my "Darfur sign".
At the beginning of the sale, our sign read "Since 2008, bags4darfur has raised over $26,000!"

Thanks to the generosity of Brandon, and the resulting $1,700.00 donation, we are now approaching a total of 28K.

Your generosity and support means the world.
I like to think that someone will eat today as a result of it.
Thank you.

9 comments:

Brenda said...

I was wondering how you churned out so many bags. but I'm a firm believer that the price of the creative life is a messy house and threads all over my clothes. it could be worse

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I've been following your blog since it was in the paper.

Sorry I couldn't make it out to Brandon.

Bravo on the success the bags and message had in Brandon.

Once you are rested, Maybe before Christmas we will see more posted on the blog?
Like your life isn't busy before Christmas(JK).

I admire the vocation you have taken to do some change in your world with your abilities, talents and supplies. You do inspire others to use their talents. Thank-you.

Anonymous said...

DOUBLE: WOW! WOW!!
*Super Congratulations!
What an amazing, incredible achievement! You totally rock !

joyce said...

Brenda- the price of not creating is much more costly. Creativity is such a joy! But now to go find more appropriate places for all that fabric carpeting my basement and office floors.....

anonymous: I hear you. I have very good intentions; and thank you for the kind and understanding way you presented this request! At the moment I am working on a promise I made for six bags to a customer. After that, I MUST go online!!

+ thanks for all the encouragement, both of you. Now all we need is a 46 hour day....

Anonymous said...

Hi Joyce,
I've also followed your blog since I stumbled upon on of your bags on a lady at the library. I love them... I regret that I didn't get to the craft sale and purchase one. I will keep 'checking' in now and then hoping for an online auction....You make awesome bags! and are so creative!

All the best!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Joyce,
I've also followed your blog since I stumbled upon on of your bags on a lady at the library. I love them... I regret that I didn't get to the craft sale and purchase one. I will keep 'checking' in now and then hoping for an online auction....You make awesome bags! and are so creative!

All the best!!

Robyn said...

Do you think you'll be doing anymore online auctions soon?? I would love a bag...could you just sell me another one???

Robyn (from Brandon)

Robyn said...

Do you think you'll be doing anymore online auctions soon?? I would love a bag...could you just sell me another one???

Robyn (from Brandon)

Robyn said...

Do you think you'll be doing anymore online auctions soon?? I would love a bag...could you just sell me another one???

Robyn (from Brandon)