Recessionary Artists Market @ Mompou Tapas Bar

WE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY CRAFTY and in these tough economic times OUR artistic talent comes to aid.

So this past Sunday August 9th, zaidibirindilindilindilandia AND Mr. Dorian Iten--- decided to participate in the first-ever Recessionary Artists' Market at Mompou Tapas Bar in Newark, NJ. I had never been there before, but It was a pretty cute/hip place, young people-neat music. I would say there were around 12 artists gathered to sell arts and crafts, cupcakes, cookies.. and free smiles. I didn't realize what a big/tight portuguese community in that area!

We sold some: one headband(venerdi, viernes, fridays-ita), and two headpieces ( matite-tite-tite-tá, & futures/thrive) Bummer that one of them got sold for $7 instead of $12. It's kind of weird when that happens... you see, the customer had come two times already to see my shop and I knew she was excited. she decided to buy-so I got super happy too- she gives me the money, I start packing the "gift" and think not to count the money in front of her.. it feels a bit as an act of mistrust-so as soon as she leaves I count, just to put the money away- and she has payed me less... I wonder how it happens and why??( did she count wrong, did she look at the wrong tag, or did she purposely do it??) ... agh! I think about asking her-since she is still around, but I feel even more awkward/rude about that, I mean-its golden time and unique art but -lesson learned-: business is business, I should count from now on.

money issues, I wish we could just -I don't know-, have a different currency, worry less about it, have it be less important/materialistic.

My friend Patricia was supposed come sell with us, but she couldn't make it. She is just a very special person- cultural studies and media major/interested in documentaries, "compatriota mia"- and she was doing some research about cinema and its history to incorporate it into her -corkjewelery- I can't wait to see what she has! Asides from that my friend Juan Carlos , also "compatriota" and graphic artist showed up and kept us company for a good couple of hours. He was commenting on how he recognizes how hard it is to be an artisan and work like we do. He asked me... "Do you really like doing this?, Because the more I see you, the more I convince myself that "I could never do it" Its soo nice when your friends come and support, to have some company especially when they understand and value your work. I truly appreciate it!

Dorian Iten, my swiss-amazingly talented-/florence art student-teacher/ friend was here-in the city- and decided to be my partner in crime for this event! He helped me put my b.cards together and "to newark" we went. He studies classical art at Angel Academy in Florence and - really- he has a talent that GOD bless him! Imagine, he was chosen to participate in this year's Hudson River School Painting's fellowship, to which only 22 artists get chosen!

Dorian came to NYC and stayed with us for a couple of days and then went up to Hunter Mountain to "paint landscapes for his first time". Only that his "studies" don't like like those of a first timer, HE REALLY OBSERVES, AND LEARNS. After that month was over, he came back to Brooklyn and to us, and spent about a week together. Its great having friend that inspire you and appreciate things like he does. It makes me realize all the things that I take for granted, and pause-and truly look at things-

For MOMPOU-I told him to make LITTLE somethings; sketches, studies, postcards and sell them- I honestly don't think he was pretty convinced, but he took his supplies and started "doodling". In an hour he made about $30. People were so amazed by his skill and he was loving people's reactions when they saw him creating-seemed effortless!But he is here to stay and to SURPRISE us with his amazingness!

We sat and crafted, and mingled and ate yummy cookies and granola all afternoon-the rain tried to scare us-but we survived... and at 9:00pm people were ready to go! My capoeira teacher stopped by-really nice unexpected surprise, nice to wrap up the day- and took us out to a Brazilian place to eat-yummy arroz con frijoles negros/turkey wrapped in bacon/fried bananas-!!!THEN back to brooklyn-crash and sleep.

WHAT DID I LEARN:

- make cheaper, smaller, simpler pieces that sell fast-to pay for my hours sitting down and let the other pieces(be artsy-er pieces) for people who can really appreciate the craft.

-Crafting is NOT really that profitable, Its a LOVE/PASSION/VOCATION thing.

-Time passes by faster/fun-er if you have great people around you-I think I had already learned that.

-got setting up experience, met the people at Mompou-to keep in touch with

- loved the brazilian food and bonded with people I never get to bond with

-Newark is not as scary anymore.

-don't give up- keep doing what you love!