I'm Back, maybe

It’s been awhile. I have decided that life and the motivations of the human race is a far too complicated issue for my meager brain to indulge, so I am leaving the pontificating to those who probably have less capacity to unscramble that knot than I do.

Update 2008 / 2009 Loxahatchee, Florida

I arrived in Loxahatchee (West Palm Beach) FL around early December got with friends and family for Christmas. My Daughter notified me that she and her husband were coming to Florida around Christmas time and hoped we could get together. She also informed me that she was pregnant with twins. They never made it down to S.E. Florida due to complications in the pregnancy, which I plan to elaborate on in a future blog entry.

I was able to gain entry into two craft shows scheduled for January and February to sell my jewelry and gain experience into the art / craft fair business. There definitely has been a learning curve.

The first show in mid January was at Hollywood Beach. There seemed to be lots of people roaming the boardwalk but few were spending money, especially at my booth.

From jewelry

That weekend I netted about $300.00. That did not include the time spent there and driving to and from the event. I enjoyed myself as I interacted with the people and developed a sort of explanation of how my work evolved from rock right out of the ground to finished piece of natural art. My friend Joellen helped me set up my tent and display. Only a true friend, a guilty relative or a blackmail victim would get up at 5:00 am, drive 30 miles to assist someone in putting up a flimsy tent in 20 mph winds in the dark (pre DST). Fortunately my spot was somewhat shielded by a large building and the wind factor was greatly reduced. Jo stayed with me most of the day and came back Sunday afternoon to help and to assist in take down. Sure was nice having Jo there.

From jewelry

Gross sales were close to $600.00 I think I made about 2/3 of that on Sunday. According to experienced artists who have done many shows, Saturday is usually the best day and they also indicated that gross sales should be about ten times the entry fee during good economic times. My entry fee was $220.00. Still I was not too discouraged with the result considering the bad economy and all of the French Canadians. Plus jewelry is a luxury item even though my items were not high priced. My inventory consisted of about 60 pendants, 20 bracelets, 10 rings, and a few crosses. Joellen brought about ten pair of earrings that she had made. I think she sold two pair. The interesting part to me was that 9o% of sales was bracelets and rings. I did not sell one pendant. Pendants are what I enjoy making because I enjoy cutting the stones. The wire part is OK, but cutting a stone is like a mini treasure hunt, in that, you never know what you are going to find inside of a rock and bringing out the best in a stone takes skill. So between the two shows I made more bracelets and rings and tried to get into more shows.

From jewelry

The next show in mid February was in Weston Florida, a fairly affluent community due west of Ft Lauderdale International Airport. Jo again showed up at 5 am to help. I love that woman. I changed the display a little but it was basically the same as the Hollywood show. The results of the show were almost the same, the difference being I sold more on Saturday than I did in Hollywood, which had me thinking that this would be a better show. Sunday, however, sold less than Hollywood, each day was about $300.00 gross.

By this time I had heard from the show promoters that I had applied to, the problem was that entry deadlines were long past for many of the shows, so, of the 6 shows that I requested I was put on standby for 4 and was accepted for 2 one near Sarasota at the end of April (that the deadline had not passed) and one put on by the city of Hollywood called “Mardigras Fest and Fat Tuesdays”, a show that my new friend, Donna Wilson, warned me not to enter. But I had already paid my entry fee prior to her warning. I’m not going into detail about this 4 day event except to say, I GROSSED $230.00 and left Sunday night. I would have saved money if I had just forfeited the $400.00 entry fee. Donna is a long time veteran of art festivals and has taken me under her wing so to speak (she’s 4 ft and around 15 inches tall). She is guiding me to the best shows and has been suggesting different changes in my display.

The next show coming up was Sebring, it is just north of Lake Okeechobee on State Rd 27 I was “wait listed” for this show and there were no openings.

The next was Delray Beach, My friend Donna suggested I just show up and hope for a cancelation or hope they could find me a spot. So contacted the promoter and told him my plan and he said that it would be ok if I did that but he could not ensure that I would get a spot. Now, of all the different types of items sold at craft fairs and art shows artist who sell jewelry are in the greatest number. Therefore, when some asks you what your product is and you tell them they roll their eyes and say “not another one”.

I got to Delray just before 5 and the show director told me it would be at least 8 am before she would know anything. So I went to Duncan Donuts and got a dozen donuts and a “Box of Jo”, brought it back, wrote “HEALTH FOOD” on the donut box lid and passed out donuts and coffee to the crafters and made sure the director got some. (a bribe, I told her). When I ran out of donuts and coffee I still had a couple of hours to kill so I began helping the artist set up their tents. At a little after 8 the director came to me and said they had a spot. (the bribe had worked).

I will finish this tale in my next post in December. (a little joke)

I will get to it within a couple of weeks, promise.

Ken

Explanation of sorts

Hey gang

I may have gone a little “Postal” on that last blog entry. Unfortunately I do believe that Man is, for the most part, arrogant, greedy and selfish. There are exceptions of course.

Jack Grove sent me an E-mail of an interview with a man known to the world as Pastor Rick Warren, Author of “A purpose driven life”. I have summarized from this article (which I will include excerpts in this posting) that the reason Man is arrogant, selfish and greedy, is because he is internally focused, which to me seems to be the natural condition of a sentient being. So the credo of Man would be “My life is about me”. Instead, as I understand Pastor Warren, Man’s life is best suited if the focus is externally, in other words, a focus on a man’s Purpose in life.

Quote PRW: “You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is, my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
What is the purpose of life? Life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one,or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making
your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.


I am not trying to make this a religious argument, Your beliefs are yours and these are Pastor Warrens. To me it is very reasonable and logical that whatever I focus on, it is going to manifest it’s self in my life. (ie “The Secrete”) If I focus on my pain and problems, then pain and problems are what I get, if I focus on material wealth, fame and power, this is also what I get. These are internally focused events. That’s why Man (me) is arrogant, selfish and greedy. Man is unlikely to focus on anything other than himself and his loved ones. If he does focus on God it is to see himself as a “better” person. (Internally focused)

Quote PRW: "This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something
bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always
something good you can thank God for.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases. Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick,and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years
since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free. We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say,God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and
love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do."

That is what Pastor Rick and Kay Warren did.

Now, this is my point with this post. How many People that you know, would have done with the money earned from the book sales, that he and his wife did? How many people in the state of Florida do you think would do what they did? The United States, the world? Would YOU do what they did?

Nada, none, zip.

There aren’t nearly enough Rick and Kay Warrens in this world to make a difference. And I am not saying that if you are so inclined that it is not worth doing. I believe it is. But I doubt that I would actually do it.

One more point. Even though I am for environmental issues and I could ride a bicycle to the grocery store do you think I will? Would you? The earth will be overrun with human beings and its ecology will be destroyed in the next few hundred years. I see no way for it to survive other than for 80% of the human population should disappear. Even that is a short term delaying tatict.

I am not trying to bum every one out. I just think that if we (the human race) do not acknowledge the reality of the situation there is absolutely no hope of doing anything about it and other than this post I don’t think I will do anything about it either. So you see, I don’t believe Man will change even in the face of annihilation.

comments? khatch46@yahoo.com

AV

Happy days?

I haven't made an entry in my blog since Cutter died, not sure what that's about. I have been busy getting ready for craft shows. I had one in January which I did ok at. Many of the participants indicated that it was a terrible show. Being my first, I have no idea if it was acceptable or not. I suspect not. I have three more scheduled in Feb. and I have applied for several more in Mar & Apr. I plan to stay in West Palm Beach until at least the end of April. I am not liking the traveling thing as much as I thought I would. It seems that I want to put down roots and not move for awhile. Anyway, all is as well as can be expected in this economy.


Hollywood Beach boardwalk, Florida Jan 17 & 18, 2009



My booth



I have really been an optimist for most of my life, but the older I get the more pessimistic I seem to be become, I am not sure if it is age or the stupidity and greed of mankind which conspire to bring me down. I used to believe in the inherent goodness of man. Now I not so sure, or maybe I am sure and that's the problem. However, I have discovered a solution to the Mexican immigration problem. Let them all come over but force them to join the army. Then invade Mexico and have no exit strategy.

I wish there were a happy pill we could take to become oblivious to this mess, but all the drugs I know of have worse side effects or would multiply the problems we all ready have. I would like to cheer you up, but I think am not going to be much help in that arena, because I only see things as getting worse, sorry. It would truly be a miracle if Obama or anyone could turn our economy and world image around.

A few of months back (I think before Obama was elected, not that it matters), I wrote down my current observations of Americans and the world populace in general, and they were not pretty, so I never posted it, nor have I shared it with anyone but one close friend. And since I am in a particularly morose mood today I thought I would share it with all.





The sky IS falling and it is going to flatten us.

We as a nation are not what we believe ourselves to be. We are like self delusional American Idol wannabees and when we are told we suck, we lash out at our detractors.

We see ourselves as strong, benevolent, honorable, when in reality we are fat, petty, arrogant, greedy and self righteous. When Bin Laden sucker punched us we took his bait hook line and sinker. When he scurried under a rock somewhere we lumbered after him and all who we perceived were of his ilk. Like a wounded elephant we expend our energy and resources in ablind rage, confirming to the world what assholes we really are. We stepped right into Bin Laden's trap and he is reveling in our stupidly. What's more unbelievable is that we are a giant waiting to be toppled, a cancerous carcass that doesn't know its dying.

Individually our greed has been like millions termites eating away at the foundational rules and regulations, all the while patting ourselves on the back that were able to circumvent the safeguards in place (the American way). We are sucking the earth's resources dry and to hell with the consequences. Then believing that we are fit and strong, we set out to right where we had been wronged, but in reality was we are old, fat and delusional. In our struggles we have begun to hemorrhage financially, a stroke will soon send us stumbling to our knees. Because we are so huge it will take a while for us to hit the ground, but don't kid yourselves it is coming up faster than you think. I don't see any way we can stop it because we can't repair damage that we don't allow ourselves to see. Even if we could see it, there isn't enough time.

As you may have summarized I have never been a proponent of this war, but if you think we have high unemployment now? Bring home the soldiers. We are in a cluster f**k of galactic proportions. You, I and George and deserve everything that is coming, but unfortunately we will skate away on death's wheels, our children and our children's children will pay the price. I can only pray that I am the delusional one.

So cheer up everything's fine, because if you don't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist.

Now for the bad news, the rest of the world is as bad or worse. Everyone is out to get as much as they can or at the very least hang onto whatever they have, including me. No one wants' to sacrifice and who can blame them, because that other asshole isn't going to give up anything. And those who perceive that they do not have anything (or enough) will kill you to get what you have.

The best line regarding human beings was in the movie the "Matrix" when agent Smith was explaining to Morpheus what he has discovered about humans.

"Agent Smith: I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet."

One thing agent smith missed in his analysis was, our obsession for more, man's GREED.

I know of only one way that the earth can be spared an early demise and that is if somehow 80% of the earth's population vanished. Me included.
AV

Rest easy friend

Cutter did not wake up this morning. He had been struggling with his breathing this past week but not as bad as some other times. I was sort of surprised because yesterday his breathing was clear and he seemed pretty spry. We went for a short walk around noon yesterday and he was fine, however he was huffing and puffing by the time we returned. It has been cold here, but I do not think that was a contributing factor, because we stayed in the trailer until the warmer part of the day.
I’m going to miss him.

From cutter

(April 1 the day we left West Palm) Are you sure were doing the right thing dad?

From cutter

(North GA overlook) How many other dogs have been here?

From cutter

Must be Hundreds.

From cutter

From cutter

Sleeping with his toy.

From cutter

So far it's been fun.

From cutter

I love this lady and she loves me.

From cutter

Having a gteat time, wish you were here.

From cutter

From cutter

I had a good time and now its time to go.

For more Cutter pics click on any photo

I have been getting things ready for the trip south. Picking up and disassembling my equipment. I will spend Thanksgiving here and pull out on the third of December. I plan to make it a two day trip to West Palm Beach. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends, especially Joellen.

I have been accepted into two craft fairs, one in Hollywood in January and one in Weston in February. I will post the dates in a later blog entry.
I don’t feel much like writing right now, so I’m going to sign off for now.
Love you all
Ken

Slo Daz

Well not much happening here in Georgia, Cutters health continues to vary, some days he’s good and some days not so much. On the good days we go walking. The trees are starting to change color and mushrooms are popping up everywhere.

From Year one October

From Year one October

It has been cool this past week, but not so much that I haven’t been able to stay warm. I went to a couple of craft shows (not as a vendor) just to see what is being presented. I spoke with several jewelry vendors and asked how sales were doing. Almost all responded not as good as last year but they said they are doing pretty good (paying the bills).

I have been working on a new bracelet design. One thing I noticed at the shows, was that most of the wire wrappers limited the number of designs on each type of product (bracelets, rings, pendants, etc.) to 4 or 5. Perhaps I should do the same, it is worth considering. My problem is I get bored with the same old thing and want to create something new.

Like I said nothing much happening here, will be in Florida early Dec.

Love ya
AV

First craft show

Well I’m feeling well and Cutter seems to feel good as well. The other day he almost broke his neck trying to get out of the trailer to chase a cat, which was like Tim Conway on the Carol Burnett Show playing the old fireman coming to the rescue. Cutter never got close to the cat but he came back proud that he had chased it away.

I got my jewelry booth set and had my first show at the “Flint River Fall Festival” in Thomaston GA. on Saturday.

Here is my booth.

From Year one October

They had a pet show and neither of these cute little guys even placed.

From Year one October

From Year one October

From Year one October

There was a pretty good turn out,

From Year one October

but no one was buying. I sold $42.00 worth of merchandise. The space cost $30.00.
I was pretty disappointed, however this type of show is not really the venue for my jewelry. Most of the vendors were selling trinkets and junk. But they even said it was a poor show. Their highest priced items were around $25.00. Mine basically started at $30.oo. The next day, on Sunday, I visited a show in Concord GA. and the vendors there said they did very well on Saturday. I need to find more upscale shows. There are a bunch in Florida but the application process is pretty rigorous. I will keep trying and see what shakes out.

The temperature this morning 38 degrees, but the trailer was nice and warm with my little heater. The trailer is surprisingly well insulated. I’m not sure how cold it gets here in Oct / Nov but I think I can tuff it out until December when I head to Florida.

Hope things are good where you are.

Love ya
AV

Sicker than the dog

I haven’t had a cold that consisted of more than the sniffles for one day in over ten years. Well I guess I paid for that luxury this past week.

Sunday (September 28) evening I felt a little off and I thought “am I coming down with a cold?”
Then Monday morning I felt fine and figured just a small glitch. By Monday afternoon I crawled into bed and didn’t get out until Thursday morning except to feed Cutter. I was miserable. By Thursday evening I was back in bed. Friday morning I managed to run to the store for provisions and slip back in bed. Saturday I felt pretty good in comparison and there was a craft fair nearby that I wanted to go to, so Sic Fiddy and I ran the twenty miles over to Gay, Georgia and checked out the “Cotton Pickin Fair”

From Year one October

From Year one October

It was pretty nice. Mostly down home country stuff. There were a couple of wire wrap jewelry makers that I checked out. Their stuff was much different than mine but it was interesting to see their work. I got back home a little after noon and slipped back into bed for the rest of the day. Today, (Sunday morning) I feel Blah, worn out, coughing with post nasal drip, bloated head and runny nose. This has got to end soon.

Cutter up date; Cutter seems like he is doing much better. He is getting up much quicker and has even chased a couple of squirrels. I may be down and out but he’s up and at’m.

The Jewelry web site that I mentioned was putting my stuff up is now up and running. Except that the shopping and purchase pages are not operational. But if you want to see it, the web address is http://www.magicalsilverjewelry.com/ . I think it is a beautiful site and I hope we move some jewelry through it. I am happy to be one of the artists on the site and I am honored to be grouped with artists so talented.

When I finish posting I’m going have a cup of chicken soup, lie down and read a book. This crap sucks.

AV