so life's been a bit of a whirlwind these last few months...i have been working very hard on a handful of projects, stretching myself very thin. i've been neglecting important things like my health, orders for friends more patient than i deserve, my boyfriend, and our home. i am also nearly never in this space anymore, which makes me sad.
i have been so busy with a design project, second storie, a part time job, and helping to open a store that i only left myself one week to prepare for renegade. had i not been in maniac mode, one week at a regular pace would have actually been enough. having not the benefit of hindsight, i pulled a few all nighters too many (from here on out one is too many) and totally over prepared for the event.
heading down to brooklyn on friday i was exhausted but still managed to pull a nearly all nighter the night before, taking care of last minute details. needless to say i was ill equipped to cope with sweltering heat and humidity and then a torrential downpour of biblical proportions.
also heartbreaking was the fact that only myself, rachael and a couple other vendors rushed to help julie of etui save whatever we could of her work after her tent blew away and rain poured down on her prints as others stood by watching. no one was warned of the coming storm, and many found themselves in inches of rain in minutes.
on the way home, soaked to the bone, freezing and stuck in terrible traffic i was in tears. i felt so much for all those who worked so hard to prepare for renegade, their hearts and hopes full only hours ago. i felt sad and silly for all i had sacrificed for a day that was in the end at the mercy of the elements, the economy, and fate. the tears weren't for naught, as i realized i needed to make a change in my life immediately, and felt the sort of motivation to do so that is unwavering.
the next day the sun came out, we took our sweet time getting to the pool, and when we arrived found julie was back with a smile on her face, work in tow. it was a good day, meeting talented people i've long been a fan of, feeling much more present talking to visitors in our tent, and laughing over dinner with wonderful people i truly adore.
all together, i am grateful to renegade for making me realize that this work that i make is never meant to be rushed, forced, or amassed in stacks. my work is about listening to my heart, taking time and care, living deliberately, and sharing with friends. i am also grateful that preparing for renegade, and experiencing renegade together with rachael made us much closer friends. i learned so much from her in the last month it blows my mind when i stop and think about it. she is one of the most amazing human beings i have ever come across, and has a heart of gold. the letterpress collaboration we worked on together is so close to my heart, and i can't wait to share it with all of you. soon...
this experience also really cemented for me just how wonderful second storie is. i love that we embrace our art+craft family with open arms, and tremendous appreciation. i am looking forward to our next event now more than ever.
thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, spoke kindly of my work, and took a little piece of me home. it means more than you know. thanks too to my c for making it all possible, k for loving me so much, and jake for his patience and tolerance.
i have lots to share with you on a much more positive note in the days to come. thank you for listening, i needed to clean the slate.
looking forward to spending more time with all of you, dear friends...
shanna
p.s. i took time today to write and talk with new and old friends, take a long walk with my o, fill my cupboards with good food, and listen to my heart. the shop will now be updated tomorrow instead.