No rest for the weary

[wayfaringwordhack]

Camerone, the French Foreign Legion carnival here in Mayotte, is over; alas, that does not mean I can rest. I have several custom orders to fill now, and I still have an expo to prepare for at the gendarmerie next Friday.* And my house. Oh my Lord, my house! I spent several years of my childhood growing up in a children's home, and one of my housemothers used to "tornado" rooms that didn't pass inspection. She'd empty drawers, pull off bedclothes and mattresses, yank clothes from hangers... My house looks like she came for a visit, only, instead of shorts, shirts, and sheets, there are bits of banana leaves, coconut fibers, drift wood, beads, wire, and hand tools scattered everywhere. :( So, yeah, no rest.

When I look at the success I've had with my crafting, I want to kick myself for not seriously starting earlier. So many people wanted to know where my "store" was and if I had a business card. And word of mouth would have worked fabulously for me because the island is so small, and everyone knows everyone. A lot of people came up to me and said, "Oh, you're Miquela. I've heard about the beautiful things you make!"

I've determined to continue once we move back to continental France, but the buying public will be so different that I don't think I can bank on having the same amount of success. I hope that I do, however; I have so many ideas that I'd like to make a reality.

As you can see from the following, I've followed my artistically bent heart and branched out a bit from jewelry making. Click photos to enlarge 

	Coco lamp Sold! to the lady who is probably my biggest patron (the one who hosted my first expo at her house and encouraged me to sell at Camerone). She's obviously a fan of what I do. :D
	Calbasse lamp I hope no one buys this one, so we can take it home with us.
	baobab First foray into modeling clay.
	coco bark mirror Sold! Sans model. :P

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* remember this entry where I said I was going to take it easy after May 2? Yeah, guess the joke's on me. Yet another expo. Actually, this one was planned, but I hadn't heard confirmation, so I thought it might have been cancelled. No such *luck.*

Comments

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Very, very pretty. Actually, I think those lamps will go over well in Europe. :)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :D I was pretty chuffed with the final results. It's one thing to dream up a project and another to actually bring it to fruition.

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

awesome!

i love that mirror. and no, it's not because of the shirtless model. :P

go, you! get crafting, get your business going, and hopefully you'll never have to teach another english lesson again. *fingers crossed*

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

yes, but where is she going to find a cheap supply of coconuts in europe, unfortunately?

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- you've led the most interesting life. I'm tempted to say screw the fiction; write the reality. But really, you should write both.

Seriously. Ice Cream truck to South America? That's gold.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm sending a stock back in our shipping container. >:)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That's definitely something to keep your fingers crossed for. :D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*lol* Whatever made you think of that plan?

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

How many lamps' worth can you fit in?

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

I know how much you LOOOOVE teaching English to your punctual well-mannered and eager students. :D

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

It's one of my main associations with you -- that's how much it tickles me.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

hehe. Don't know yet. Not enough, probably.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*lol* Well, classes have terminated with those two. No more torture for me. >:)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Well, I think it gives a pretty apt glimpse into my character and imagination, so that works for me. ;)

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Hmmm you have a point.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

*lol*
If the coconuts won't grow in Europe, the coconuts will just have to travel to Europe.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That they will. :D I foresee lots of beachcombing in my near future.

[pjthompson]

Beautiful! Is that baobob polymer clay?

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

The baobab is modeling clay, which I painted with acrylics.