Day 169

Last day of work of the week, even though I've only worked 3 days it feels like 10.  Then I had a couple clients and their young daughters in for henna, and then I went and finished painted the frame around the existing "coffee tree" in Makeda's bathroom.  They want to repaint everything, and rather then painstakingly painting in every nook and cranny, Prash had me create a border around the tree.  Easy peasy!

Day 168

Yesterday was ugly for me.  Today was better for me, but ugly for the city.

In the middle of the ugly, I witnessed something beautiful and at the same time very heartwrenching.  This man was creating really amazing pieces of art - he had them stacked up against the curb.  There were some abstract portraits, a remarkable motorcycle, and the piece in his hand turned out to be a very well executed skyline of Seattle.  His brush strokes were awkward and spastic looking, and he was creating these pieces, some of which were really incredible.  And he was homeless.

Today's horror of death was punctuated this evening by the fact that so many of my friends and acquaintances knew the shooting victims.  I am reminded again to tell all my loved ones how much they mean to me.  Because you NEVER know when they may leave you forever.

Day 167

I'm just pretending yesterday didn't happen.

Day 166

Day two at the Waterfront.  It was warm and sunny and windy as hell.  This was the view of the setup...

...this was the view from my seat...

...this was one of the hennas I did...

...before today's street performer came along and once again my clients were distracted.  He left after just an hour or so, so I had a few more clients before I left...

...He was a mediocre Chinese circus performer.  And the sheep up there were about the most unappreciative audience I've ever seen.  He'd finish something like spinning a bowl on a stick while holding the stick in his mouth (pretty impressive) and there would be NO applause.  I felt bad for him. But not too bad.

Day 165

So today was my first day doing the Waterfront park.  Here's Chelsea "helping" me pack this morning...

Here's the cart all ready to truck the whole set up.  Oont came along for this weekend...he probably won't be a usual fixture.

And here we are - the setup.  Easy, just table/books/umbrella/chairs/camel.  And a partially built ferris-wheel.  I was doing ok, crusin' along at 3-4 clients an hour or so, even more questions and chatting, pretty much active most of the time.  

Then the Living Statue happened.  She came and set up about 15 feet away from me, and I didn't do another henna for 2 hours.  I had 3 conversations/questions.  She sucked my crowd away - people would see her from a distance and wouldn't even SEE me.  So I packed up an hour early and called it a day.  I also wrote her a very nice note suggesting next time she could set up a bit further down...

Day 164

Well today was nice.  I spent most of it at the shop.  My first client was really nice, going to New Orleans and wanted a pretty up her leg.  After her, I had nearly 3 hours until my next client so I swept and mopped the floor, and painted my new festival stool...

...then my afternoon client and her best friend came.  Baby belly time!  The baby was due on the Solstice, gender unknown, and we all three of us had a grand time.  I was happy with how the design came out, the friend got a little flower and vine on her shoulder, and I sent them off to hang out for a while at Irwins on the corner with smiles and best wishes...

...and ten minutes later they graced my doorstep again, giggling.  I thought for sure one of them had smudged their design, but the friend said "Well, I just wanted to tell you that we're headed to the hospital now, because Mari's water just broke!"  So much for a Solstice baby!

Day 163

Now THAT was a fun birthday party!  The girls were all so happy with their hennas, and I'd met a good number of them two weeks before when they got their hennas as a girl scouts troupe.  The one here in yellow wanted to have me do their birthday hennas, and the mother called me the Friday before U Street fair, so I didn't get a chance to call her back until Monday of this week.  I told her I was available and happy to do it, and she said "Oh that's great!  My daughter REALLY wanted you to do it, and we booked someone else just in case because we hadn't heard from you and it was such short notice, but I'll cancel with the other artist because she has been complaining that she really really wants YOU."  Talk about an ego boost.  :)  And sure enough, we had a great time, and they were all thrilled with their hennas!

Day 162

I love doing large back pieces. Today's art is worn by a burgeoning new fire dancer, who will be performing this weekend and felt the need for some body art. The lotus, representing new beginnings, and the fire, which has become such a positive influence in his life, became this wing-like piece that will accent his movement all weekend. 

Day 161

Shit. I forgot to post again last night.

Day 160

Today was a couch day - after harborview.  I managed to not have any clients (tomorrow I've got two, and I'm going with Krys to go check out the waterfront gig we'll be doing this summer.)

But, as a side project, here's a set of examples of some of my marketing design work over the years...

https://plus.google.com/photos/116761045288131120402/albums/5745584725297126433?authkey=CIOmnrzfy_2kJg

Day 159

One of three clients today.  I'm beat, going to bed.  I would have uploaded more earlier, but blogger was acting up and wouldn't let me edit.  Holy moly, I'd love a day off, but I just keep on thinking "You had your days off in the winter!  Now's workin' time!"  :)

Day 158

rainy all day, made squat, exhausted, going to bed.  Photos?  Someday.

Day 157

First festival of the season. First day of the first festival. Record breaking totals. I deem it a sign that this year will be wildly successful. Thank you universe! You're proving me right, this is my passion, and what I need to be doing with my life. I am so blessed and lucky and grateful for what I have done today. And I am SO lucky and grateful for my lovely assistants today, Jill Anderson and Laurie Johnson! You ladies ROCK hard, and I am Fabulously Appreciative of what you did for me today! Thank you!

Day 156

Tomorrows u street fair. I'm feeling remarkably relaxed, considering. Went and got my toes did. Gotta be pretty for the clients. ;)

Day 155

Im just plain ass busy and there's no other way to explain it. :)

Day 154

Day 153

Today's client.

I am soooooo tired. Most of my afternoon was spent sorting through boxes and starting to get my gear together for this weekends festival.

 Now, I'm going to bed. Maybe I'll be better rested and productive tomorrow...

Day 152

Today a woman called while I was at work, asking if she could come in to the shop in the next few days. When I called her back, I told her I had time between clients this afternoon, so she came by. She had a vague idea what she was looking to get, a draping necklace.

When I was done, she was absolutely floored. She couldn't stop telling me how happy she was with the design! I'm very proud of it too. It totally worked.

I posted the photo up on Facebook. The comments and "likes" are wonderful. People from all over the world are sharing the photo...once again, I've shown how I can be a *world* *class* *henna* *artist.* :) I love my job.

Day 151

I will post more of the photos from this weekend, maybe tomorrow. I finally got home only a few minutes ago and I'm too tired to do a proper upload. But here's the gluten-free apple pie I made for my mother!

Day 150

Just a small sample of today's photos.

Day 149

One of today's hennas...I had 5 clients!

This is my new necklace from Turkey. 5 Hamsas = 5 times the protection from the evil eye...right? :)

We drove down to the farm - this is what greeted us. Way to start the weekend!

Day 148

Wow...I've been missing days left and right, here haven't I?? Yesterday was kinda really awesome! I left work, took the car to the mechanic, walked along the Burke Gilman trail to get a massage (ow ow ow, ok, better), walked back (the day was so lovely!) and then in the evening I went to the first yoga class in the "Intro to Yoga" series I started. I loved it! I felt GREAT (and famished) when I was done. Awesome! My evening was so busy, between that and then eating and then bed, I actually never pulled my computer out, and therefore forgot I was supposed to post a blog post. :) I'll be good this weekend.

Day 147

Seven clients today, this was the only living social client. Ummmmm can you do an elephant blowing these flowers out its nose.? Yup. :)

Day 146

I don't have anything interesting to post today. I cleaned the house, watched tv, took the day off of anything creative or interactive. Tomorrow will be better. I've got clients!

Day 145

I'd type more but...well...

Day 144

So here's the photos from today and yesterday. Today I gardened for a little bit, took photos of the Clematis which is finally exploding like mad, went to a movie (The Secret of Arietti), created another banner for my booth, and made food for the next couple days. Yesterday I had EIGHT clients!!! I was at the shop for 9 hours, with a lunch break in the middle, and I want my business to be like that ALL the time! I loved it! Then Dan and I went to SPDEG and got a light, late dinner and that's why the post last night was at 1am and very very brief. :)

Day 143

Oh wow, I had a really great and long and picture heavy post planned for today.

Then 3 margaritas happened...

Day 142

Today I was on fire! My client today got $35 over her coupon, and was SO happy with her hennas!

Day 141

Super busy day today, running around and hennaing people. Found my first grey hair on the top of my head, only now because I haven't had the time to henna my hair and my roots are showing.

Pretty tree on my errands today. :)