PAGE FOUR-HERSTORY

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PAGE FOUR

So I would be in the mall an average of 11 hours and then the average 5-6 on Sunday doing my work and selling the jewelry that I was learning how to make while on the road with the two days of training before heading out to the shows. Then come Sunday morning those of us that had been around for a while and had taken the time to get to know one another, we would find a HOJO--and again way back then it actually WAS called Howard Johnson's and go eat breakfast. Usually this consisted of taking about 4-5 booths because of the number of exhibitors that would end up joining our small group of 4-5 and we would just have a relaxing morning before we started in on the last day.

That night once the mall closed, you would go thru the entire process of tearing down your display and dolling it out to your van--packing it up and heading home. Once again that could be an hour from your house to 13 hours away. When you are at the end of a show, your energy seems to come back because now you want to get home. So your pumped up and driving and you can't seem to wait till you get to find your own bed!!!!! That after a long show is the most wonderful feeling of all!!!! Yes our bed in the van is yours as well, BUT it doesn't compare to your bed at home. So then come Monday--you would have the day off and then Tuesday head to your boss's house for some more training and getting everything that you need for the show--like the information-which one where is it and when do I leave. Sometimes you never got the day off cause you had to leave on Tuesday and that meant--come in get some training and all of your things cause you're leaving on Tuesday for your next show.

So I did this for 7 years. An actual apprentice for learning a trade usually last for 5 years. I stayed an extra two because I did enjoy working for them at the time. BUT I finally got smart and decided it was time to go out on my own and see if I could make an actual living at it for myself.

Well I did just that. I left the company-but before I could do that, I had to relinquish everything that I was used to taking with me to the shows because it didn't belong to me. I NOW had to go and make my own display-buy my own props-the materials, tanks, buffers, stones, solder, tools and tables, lights and everything else that I would need to make my OWN jewelry now--I had to do everything myself. Well this was a do or die situation. I got the materials and everything that I needed and made my display--one table-one case and two stand up that housed the dangles and pendants that I made. I left for upper state New York for my first show in Binghamton Mall. I drove the 8 hours from VA and did the same thing all over again but this time--what I made WAS ALL MINE....and I didn't have to share it with anyone.

Later gator
Daike
the shoppe keeper
www.kreativeartizansgallery.com

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