Sunday, December 8, 2013

THANK YOU!!


Thank you sooooo much to everyone that bundled up and braved the drizzle and cold on Saturday to tour the Chatham County artists studios. It was great to see everyone and really great to see my work finding such lovely new homes. Almost all of the visitors yesterday were repeat customers, now becoming tour friends. We catch up on the year and spend time talking and it is the most fun thing! It makes me realize how important selling work this way truly is. I love the galleries that represent me, but there is nothing like the personal connection you make with someone that loves something you created. Maybe that piece was created during a time of grief or happiness or loss or joy, whatever it was, it comes from some emotional place, and it is nice to have a personal experience with the buyer. They practically have to pry the work out of my hands, I get so attached to each piece.

Remember these chairs? I love them and I knew when I made them they may have to wait on someone that understood. And last night just as the tour was wrapping up for the day some wonderful folks came in and took these chairs back to Virginia. Fingers crossed they make the trip. I was hesitant to put them out, just because of having to wrap and transport them!  FRA-Gee_LAY!


 Also goodbye to this one. I had it in the house for awhile, wasn't ready to say goodbye to it either. This is one of my most favorite pieces, reminding me of my grandmother's house, her skeleton keys to unlock the kitchen door and the glass knob on even the closet doors. Why don't we have glass doorknobs on all of the houses built anymore? or these beautiful keys to unlock our homes.... sigh.


Here is a collection of my barns in their new home with Michele, who is a delightful person. I know they will be happy in this home! Thanks Michele for sending me the photo, it made my day, made me smile! Michele is one of my collectors that will stay in my memory.


I met her in Saxapahaw over the summer when I was set up at the Farmer's Market. She bought three of my Randolph County barns and mentioned she had Cavalier spaniels and could she commission a piece to include one. I have looked for a little figurine every time I go to antique shops with no luck finding one. Yesterday, Michele showed up with the most beautiful little dog figurine, and I just so happened to have a barn with a niche that he fit quite nicely in. So the doggy and the barn have a new home. I love when things like this happen!

Thanks to all of you for shopping at my studio, there are so many wonderful artists on the tour and I am honored every time someone chooses to visit my place. Several barns have new homes, lots of ladies will be adorned with pretty raku pendants, trees will be trimmed with stars and doves, a secret santa gift is going to one of the tour artists! and lots of other wonderful things are in new places. The shelves are thinning out.

I also had a chance to have a long and very nice visit with blogger Amy Huacani, who was visiting from Pinehurst. It's always great to meet a blogger, Amy has shared many words of wisdom with me over the years and she has a fun blog to read. Thanks Amy, for stopping by!

So, today is another day, it is very cold and cloudy, but that's ok, the candles and the twinkly lights look especially festive on days like this, and I have lots of warm clothes. If I can camp out in the mountains during snow, I suppose I can survive a cold day selling my work out in the studio!

xoxoxo

16 comments:

Anna M. Branner said...

I'm so glad you had a good day! Selling directly is one of my favorite things about LibertyTown. It is tough to get there these days now that I am throwing pots at home...But there is always First Friday and good conversation. This week I arrived to set up for the evening and had just missed someone who made major purchases in my studio! Including one of my wool blankets! I of course immediately emailed to thank her. One of these days we will meet I am sure....but anyway. Yes. Meeting people that appreciate your work is the best high an artist can ask for! Stay warm!

Michèle Hastings said...

It's days like that, that remind us of why we do what we do.

Dennis Allen said...

Glad it went well. Without the direct contact I wouldn't be making pots.

smartcat said...

Oh Happy Day! I'm so glad it was a good one.

Unknown said...

Ditto what Michele said! Your work is so beautiful~

oldgreymare said...

so happy your artistic heart was nurtured <3

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks everyone, it was a life affirming weekend!

Susan Wells said...

Yay to affirming life and dreams. Now another cozy dark day to renew for more fun coming up! See you Thursday at Frank anoli!

Tracey Broome said...

Susan, yay, come to Frank, I will be the bartender, working off my guild hours the best way I can think of haha!
I'll buy you a beer, haha!

Laura Farrow said...

almost like falling in love (with your work and clay?) all over again. no? I'm glad it went so well! xo see you in the beer line!

Sandy Miller said...

Wow!!!! Did I need to read this! Thanks! So good to hear you had a great show!

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Laura, just love the people who "get" what I'm doing! It was fun:-)
Oh Sandy, I know, I read your post this morning, poor baby, I was in the very same place this time last year, there is light at the end of that dark show tunnel!

Lori Buff said...

That sounds like a great weekend and just what your soul needs. I'm so happy for you.

Shannon said...

Glad it was a good tour wknd, Tracey. Mine was, too. My friend Deborah Rosenstein just wrote me about how thrilled she is with her new Tracey Broome barn.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Lori, yes soul soothing for sure!
Shannon, your friend Deborah was adorable, I am so happy she got one, and an orphan one at that! She pulled one from the top shelf that was not for sale and said, I want this one :)

Amy said...

Just now catching up on blogs. So great to finally meet you! Thanks for the kind words. Glad it was a wonderful tour sale.