The long weekend

As a kid growing up in Canada, Labour Day Weekend (that's how we spell it up there) was always a kind of sad time. Not only did it mark the end of summer, but it also meant the last couple days before the first day of school. Now I'm living in the Deep South and my "sense of calendar" is turned upside down. The weather is warm year-round. School starts in early August. Leaves on trees are still green at Halloween. And some years it's warm enough at Christmas to wear shorts outside. And snow? What's snow?

So according to the calendar on the wall, this past weekend was Labor Day weekend. And even though it started off rough, what a great weekend it turned out to be.

Saturday:
Saturday morning I found myself at the worst artist festival I had ever signed up for.  While there were some phenomenal artisans there (many of which traveled great distances), in and among us were people reselling imported junk, and I don't use the term junk lightly. One booth was selling Made in China David Yurman knock-offs (2 for $20!!), another was hocking Dolce and Gabana knock-off handbags, while the one across from her was selling cheap sunglasses (just a few examples). The show was billed as a so-called juried artist festival, but clearly we had been misled. In 2 hours I had sold nothing, while the flea-marketesque booths around us were selling hand-over-fist.  All the artisans I spoke with were furious. I decided, on principle, to pack it in and go home. I wasn't about to waste my long weekend 

And so this is what I did with the rest of my weekend :)

Sunday:

I took a quick trip downtown to Dragon*Con  (the biggest sci-fi, fantasy convention in the world) to scope it out as a possible venue for selling jewelry next year.  Many friends have suggested that my Celtic jewelry would sell well at the Dragon*Con Art Show. I had never been to it before, so I thought I'd check it out.

Almost everyone dresses up in crazy creative costumes.

Some peoples' costumes were especially eye-catching.

Dragon*Con was fun.  While I was there I met fantasy artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith.

I have always admired her artwork, and have been a longtime fan.  Check out her Etsy shop. It will blow you away.


In the evening, the hubster and I went to the Beer and Whiskeyfest in Atlanta. A friend of ours has a Weezer tribute band called El Scorcho. They were great.  We had such a fun time.

Mmmm, beeeeeeeerrrrr.

El Scorcho tearing it up.

 

Walking back to the car and showing off the new shoes I bought earlier that day. Piedmont Park and the Atlanta skyline behind me.

How's this pose for my new shoes?

Monday:

We paid a little visit to the Marietta Arts at the Park festival in historic Marietta Square.  I ran into a few jewelry artist friends of mine who said it had been a great show for them. I will apply to this one next year, for sure.

Little SweetPea and me walking through the festival.

We saw a couple dogs the size of small horses in the square.  They were so cute and gentle with the kids who had gathered around.

This one wanted to say hello.

Caught a snapshot of a beautiful butterfly in the flower garden.

Back home. Spent the rest of the afternoon drawing some new designs for fall and Halloween.

Oak leaves, acorns, bats, cats, and witch's hats.

Hope your long weekend was a lovely one, too!

(PS - you can click on the pictures to make them bigger)