When I didn't call home regularly in college, my mother would call me (usually at 8 o'clock Saturday morning) and grumble, "We thought you were dead or lying in a ditch somewhere." (I was never sure what they thought I might be doing lying in a ditch on a Saturday morning, but it WAS a picturesque thought.)
So for the record, I'm not dead or lying in a ditch the last few days.
It's been pretty hectic around here.
I sent my cease-and-desist letter to the copycat, certified mail, along with the sheet from my catalog that depicts the line. I also sent one to the local store that's currently carrying their work. I'll be curious to see if they continue to carry that line.
On advice from The Rosen Group and the League of NH Craftsmen (both of whom I contacted for advice as soon as I found out), I've also sent letters and images to them, and to area stores the person might logically approach.
Some people felt my letter was too polite. I felt I should assume the person may genuinely not know that what they did was out of line. We can go from there.
Time to turn my energy to more positive use.
On Thursday I put in my volunteer time at each of the two exhibits I'll be in at the fair.
Living With Craft showcases craft with a series of room vignettes featuring the work of state-juried craftspeople. Originally conceived as a way for fine furniture makers to more adequately display their work (hard to get more than one queen-sized bed in a 10x10 foot booth), it has expanded to an exciting and intriguing venue.
For six years running, I was the designated curtain-ironer. I ironed miles and miles of sheer muslin curtains used to soften the light entering the "doors" and "windows" of the display rooms. This year I was promoted to picture-hanger. It was nerve-wracking. (I usually eyeball an object, hammer a nail in, hang the object and rearrange the furniture to accomodate it. This designer works a little more precisely than that. I quickly volunteered to be the person who held the damn thing and tilted it accordingly when told "a little more to the left...")
During their set-up days, you walk into the cavernous room filled with a jumble of fine furniture, rugs, framed photos, pottery and pillows. It's hard to imagine how anyone could ever pull it together coherently.
But the designers always do, and the effect is always stunning. It's full of innovative ways to incorporate fine handcraft into everyday life and celebrates the distinctive results.
Craftwear does the same with jewelry, accessories and fine wearables. You will find everything from children's clothing to drop-dead gorgeous cloaks, from funky hats and jewelry to 22k gold work set with precious stones.
I'll have one finished wall hanging from the new Shield Series in Living With Craft, and one ornate Lascaux Horse necklace and earring set in Craftwear.
I'll be working on my new shield series while demonstrating at the upcoming LNHC's Annual Fair. I was frantic at first at all the time dealing with this design infringement cost me. Now I realize these shields are a much bigger project than just getting them ready for the Craftsmen's Fair. And perhaps people will enjoy seeing them in these very early stages.
In the meantime, I'm rushing to finish new jewelry and making mental to-do lists. Poles and drapes need to be gathered, Abstracta needs to be reassembled, light bulbs tested and replaced.
I'm always astonished at how fast and furious the new jewelry ideas come in the days before a show. Suddenly I can barely keep track of all the new designs flowing into my head. I use to worry about not having enough of my "old favorites" on hand. Now I welcome this influx of fresh thoughts. My new mantra: "Ya shoulda bought it last year!"
There's a lot to pull together—my booth this year is 600 square feet, six times the size of my normal booth space. But the work is more beautiful than ever (if I do say so myself!); the people who are coming to help are veterans of last year's venture and have proven themselves invaluable; the weather has been beautiful (if it gets a little too windy for golf and a little too chilly for swimming and sailing, that will be PERFECT fair shopping weather!)
Now if only Robin would learn to drive so I could sleep on the long drive up, life would be perfect indeed.
