Postponed craft fairs

Sadly the two craft fairs I signed up for have been postponed because they fall too close to Christmas, there are other similar fairs on at the same time and the cost of living makes them less likely to be profitable because no one will have any money.

I would like to participate in ones next year but how can I be certain that things will be any better then? People are going to suffer financially and luxuries like arts and crafts may not be saleable. The whole idea of being an artist and trying to sell work seems less and less feasible.

Meanwhile, I’m seriously thinking about leaving my studio at Spode. I didn’t use it very often since Covid happened because I’m still avoiding people. I don’t know if I can afford it any more. Life isn’t terrible but sometimes you need to be sensible.

Cat pays rent!

Our outdoor, now indoor boy cat (seen sleeping here) seems to think he’s obliged to pay rent for staying here! It is quite upsetting when he brings small rodents like shrews and mice in. Sometimes we manage to rescue them. I hate it when he has a mouse moustache! I’m trying to teach him not to do it, but mostly I shout and tell him off and he looks bewildered (and bewhiskered).

Last night was mad. The mouse he bought in escaped into the bathroom but we managed to get it out by shutting our three cats in the kitchen and opening the back door. Since the bathroom is downstairs it was just a short run out for the mouse. The cats were contented with some cat food and we breathed a sigh of relief. I hope it doesn’t happen again soon!

Studio rents

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New year, new threat of rent increases in the studios. Not by the cost of inflation, but possibly by 25% or more! Im not saying where I rent, and I’m not publishing this on FB. I’m just worried I won’t be able to afford it. The fear is that I will retreat back to home and have to give up my dream of being an artist. The increase would possibly mean people looking for cheaper alternatives.

The threat is not clear yet, some people are hoping for lower increases. Its just that its a blow for a little thriving community of creative people. I sometimes think that greed is at the bottom of everything. So frustrating.

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