That's a wrap, as they say. I've had a few weeks to rest and enjoy a bit of quiet with family after the holiday market season in November and December. I didn't expect to enjoy the season as much as I did, truth be told. I'm pretty introverted and really enjoy time alone so spending whole days talking to strangers is not exactly my go-to idea of a fun time, lol. But, I met so many friendly customers along with some of the nicest most talented vendors you can imagine. I'm already thinking ahead to 2023's season!

September 10 - Belmont Street Fair
September 16 & 17 - Arts Market Pacific Northwest
September 30 - October 2 - Bend Fall Festival

We need beauty, but we also need to eat.
We need to eat, and we also need beauty.

In a nutshell (or, more pointedly, in my nutshell) this is spiritual practice melded with art and creativity; sustaining daily needs of community with the ingenuity of growth and change. How we balance growth in alignment with the elements and in active relationship with others allows us to dig into our best selves rather than sacrifice beauty to the wonts of materialism.

Setting intention to live in right relation, to ground oneself in the holy exchange of gifting and receiving, we move forward at a different pace than before.

I come back time and again to the name Carrot Flower Creative to find sustenance in the words.  The words are fuel; an alchemy of food and beauty. A flowery collection of bursting elements. Earth. Fire. Water. Sun. Wind.

Last Saturday I had the best time visiting with people at the Yacolt Art Fair east of Vancouver. Tucked into the forest of the Cascade foothills, I enjoyed a rare chance to bask in a summer day while meeting new people and selling work. It's their first year doing the fair, but from the positive response I would not be surprised if they make it an annual affair. In September, Carrot Flower Creative will be at the Belmont Street Fair and at Affordable Art For Everyone.