Buzz Blog

So I’m attending a 3-day workshop (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday… yikes!) called the Artist as an Entrepeneur Institute, which is put on by the CPAC, a local arts organization. Sure, Buzz is kicking some major butt this year, but if I really want to make the future Buzz “empire” a reality, I figure a little planning and strategy couldn’t hurt.

The workshop takes place in a gorgeous old cathedral so airy and full of light that I felt energized and positive even before the sessions, which have so far proved to be informative and engaging. But, for me, the real showstopper was this guy:

Meet Stephen R. Cook, Esq, an unlikely combination of lawyer, comedian, teacher, and snappy dresser (love the bow tie). From the looks of this photo he graciously posed for today, I suspect that Mr. Cook might also make an intimidating jousting opponent. Well, he certainly had me in stitches with his old-school comedy styling.

Case in point: A discussion of the business type “sole proprietorship” began with Mr. Cook pointing out that the Bishop of our hosting cathedral could perhaps be considered a “soul proprietor”. Classic.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring. I just wish it started at 10:00.

So where was I? Ah yes…

The less-than-delightful:

* two hundred dollar EZ-up canopy deciding it just didn’t want to go up so easy that whole 3rd use and expressing said desire by breaking in four places… because you know one break wouldn’t have made the point as well… sheesh how overdramatic can you get?

There he is. Looking like something that fell off a space station…

* ridiculous storms in the McCarren Park pool, resulting in the pool once again functioning as a pool (see definition of pool: “an excavation that is (usually) filled with water”)… this time with more booth wreckage:

Note that none of these are my tents. Perhaps my tent karma was finally paying up.

Okay, so those were the highlights. Unless you’d like more on the giant locusts that splattered the windshield driving to Georgia… or perhaps a riveting description of the big-box megastore in North Carolina where I picked up Canopy II.

I did, however, find a delicious stash of never worn vintage jewelry pieces with which to play… stay tuned for Summer 08.

Hey, you try two weeks on the road in 100-degree temperatures driving an SUV for hours so packed full of Buzz biz paraphernalia that every time a door is opened bits of old jewelry and booth shelving jump out, desperate for escape.

The trip was an amazing experience… and exhausting and interesting…

Let’s start with the delightful:

* Meeting Melissa, the lovely proprietress of The Makery, a super-cute indie shop chock full of wonderful handmade goods (like Buzz Jewelry!). I think she’s making air quotes here, which as someone who talks with my hands I can totally appreciate.

* Making all kinds of new friends along the way, several of whom couldn’t wait to stock Buzz in their fabulous stores… you’ll have to check my website for more details.

* The awe-inspiring crowds of indie shoppers that is a Renegade craft fair… this would be before the crowds arrived obviously. See, there’s me. Talking with my hands.

* Sleeping in a wigwam. Who knew a wigwam could be so claustrophobia-inducing? The best part was the outside, complete with Charlie-Brown’s-shirt zigzag print:

Next up, the less-than-delightful…