The word optimism came to mind as I was thinking about what to write in the creativity blog this morning. What do I have to be optimistic about? Creativity. I am optimistic about my creativity, your creativity and general modes of creative expression. I’m in the middle of planning for a mid-June jewelry event. I’ve been having some amazing discussions with another artist, as we are planning to share a table and space with each other. She sells perfume and I’m selling jewelry. We both have some other products that we are selling as well. So our conversations have covered design and layout ideas, types of products, use of our space and how to attract customers, among other things. She emailed me on Friday night, with a slew of ideas about how to set up our tables. She always has good ideas, backed up by a strong retail background. But I found myself feeling a little resistant to hearing her ideas. I let her know what my thoughts were, so that I could eventually let go of some of the resistance and start really hearing what she had to say. Over the weekend, I realized that it was important to me to hear what she had to say and that it was important for me to jump into the discussion, adding my own thoughts and asking some of the questions, that I had about trying out new display ideas. When I was able to relax and share more of my thoughts, I noticed that I became much more open to incorporating some of the basic ideas that she had already suggested. In general, I feel more optimistic about what I want to do with my display. I have less fear about trying new ideas or reconstituted inventory ideas during this event. I still have some fears and work yet to do, but I’m glad to say that I woke up feeling more optimistic about my creativity this morning. I’ve included four reasons for my optimism below.

SKILLSET: The first reason I have for being optimistic about my creativity is that I have a skillset. I know how to makes certain categories of jewelry. I know what some of my customers like and I know how to read people, when they drop by my table. I also know, generally, what my goals are for this upcoming event. This is a specialty or niche event that I’ve attended once before, which is helpful. I also know my competition and the general types of products that customers will be looking for. I am going to present my general product line, especially those pieces that I’m known for in this event circle. I’m also continuing to introduce some new work, as well as try some products out that other vendors have been successful at sellling. This event is very large, so there is room for duplication as well as unique presentations of products. Each customer is different and will be drawn to different aspects of the same product. Likewise, each artist will slant their product line to their interests and customer’s needs. I’m a bit scared to try some of these new products out, but if I don’t start now, I will miss the chance to see what works and what doesn’t. So, for the most part, I’m excited about my general product line as well as some experimental pieces that I want to sell as well.

AWARENESS: I’m optimistic about my own creative awareness, both general and specific. I’ve grown in my awareness since I attended this event last year for the first time. Last year, I was just introducing myself to this event. I was adjusting to the crowds, the music and a new arena to sell. It was like going to school for the first time, without all of the worries of having to impress anyone, including teachers or other students. I knew that I wanted to sell at this event. I also knew that I wanted to learn greatly from vendors around me, customers and the whole festival scene. Once I’d arrived I realized just how much work and fun this festival was going to be. My friend, with whom I’m sharing a table with this year, volunteered to come by and watch my table, so that I could walk around the festival and shop a bit myself. If she hadn’t done that, on either day, I wouldn’t have had as much time to observe, learn and meet some of the vendors. I’m interestd in seeing how all of our planning will impact both of our tables in June.

INTERACTION WITH VENDORS: I’m optimistic about spending time with other vendors during the event. Last year, I made sure that I had time to watch the other vendors as they worked. However, everyone becomes busy, as the event usually picks up once the music starts. People are in a state of constant motion, either watching the performances, taking a break, talking with customers or friends or shopping. People are on the move throughout the both days of the festival. Vendors are also on the move, either at their tables or wandering around visiting other vendors, catching up with friends and keeping an eye on the performances. There is plenty of time to chat with someone for just a few moments and then move on to another vendor or to watch a performance. When I put my feet up after the first day, I really needed to slow down and enjoy the peace and quiet of my room, before I could start listening to anything else, because I’d been surrounded by music, chatter and ambient noise for about six or seven hours. I was ‘on’ for a quite a bit of time that day and again, on Sunday.

EACH ACTION TAKEN: I’m optimistic because each action I take in planning will have a positive impact on my work and preparation for this event. After I was able to move out of my ’state of resistance’, I started to examine some of my own ideas for the event a little more closely. I came up with some more questions for my friend, which in turn, gave us both some new information to digest. I realized again, that I needed to to keep focusing on starting and completing each action. I’ve said before that sometimes I have trouble completing work. Well, this is a really good time, to work on that skill. If I can relax enough while I’m working, I can even start enjoying the process of creating new display items as well as creating jewelry pieces. I’ve been armed with a variety of suggestions to use to improve my display for this year. I will need to look for some additional materials, as well as continue to create inventory before I will be ready for the event. Exercise your optimism! Have an optimistic week!

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