I need to start with this picture so it will be the picture that you see when I share this on Facebook.
Robert Martin was one of Allen Griffin's best friends. Whenever he introduced Robert to someone, he would say, "This is Robert Martin, my good friend and a fine American." I'm sure there is an explanation for that that I am not privy to, but Jeff and I always found it amusing. Anyway, Robert is a good friend and I have no evidence to suggest that he is anything but a fine American.
Robert is also on the board of directors for the pottery festival. As we were working on set up on Friday, he came over to my booth space and said, "I have a hat for you if you would like to have it." When he described the hat, I knew EXACTLY what he was talking about. Allen wore his hat all the time. His had a green bill and green stitching. What I didn't know was that Robert had gotten those hats made. He thought that since I have kept the name of the studio, that I might like to have his hat. (Cue tears.) I did ask him to please think carefully about that, but if he was sure, I would love to have the hat. He brought it to me yesterday. As long as I can get it to fit my tiny head, I plan to wear the heck out of that hat.
The Carolina Pottery Festival was a success this year! Set up seemed to go very well. We had a BIG crowd. I had a good day of sales. Other potters that I spoke with also seemed happy with their day. Even the guy who had a big, expensive piece get broken (accidents happen and everyone feels so bad) that afternoon was happy with his day.
Let's back up a bit and talk about how this goes.
The board of directors meets at the LeGrand Center as early on Friday morning as we are allowed to get in a mark off all the booth spaces and get things all set up for the potters to arrive for set up at 3pm. This year, we could get in at 10 am. Once we get done marking off spaces, we go get some barbecue for lunch and then head back over to get our own spaces set up so that we are free to check in and assist the other potters starting at 3pm.
I am super lucky to have excellent help. Sweet Heather comes in from California specifically the weekend of the pottery festival so she can help us. My friend flies from Los Angeles to come hang out with me. She comes for two days of exhausting work. ON PURPOSE. I do wonder what in the world I ever did to deserve the friends that I have. (Cue tears again.) This year, I also had Jeff's help both days. He has had to miss the actual day of the festival for the last two years, so it was nice to have his assistance on Saturday this time.
This is a picture of my "elves" doing their thing.
I swear, I turned around and it looked like this in no time at all!
A few closer up shots of things.
Next to my booth, Gail and Lisa were set up. Gail shared with Vicki Halloran last year and this was Lisa's first show! I am so proud of them.
Because I just can't avoid being silly.
Gail's daughter Sara was there helping. Not long after they checked in Friday afternoon, she came and asked me if there were any extra trash bags because a "newspaper explosion" was occurring and it was freaking her out. After searching for a trash bag (without any luck), I checked out the problem. My flopping down in the middle of it all sort of squashed everything down, but I promise you that the pile of paper completely filled the inside space of their booth. It was roughly half the height of the tables.
Newspaper angel...
...why not?
A little while later, I was checking in with some of the other potters. Each board member has a number of booths they are the "contact person" for. If those potters need anything, they can come to us and we try to help. When I introduced myself and explained where they could find me if they needed me, one response was, "Oh. You are over there with the laughing people." Yes, sir! I may have been the one who caused the laughing. He followed up with something like, "It was wonderful to hear. It's so good to belly laugh like that."
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