No Coast Craft-o-rama

In the Twin Cities there are only a few big craft sales throughout the year, and the No Coast sale is the biggest of them all. There are a variety of different vendors from all around Minnesota, Wisconsin, and some from even more far-flung places than that. It is decidedly the most quirky, crafty, and cool place to be for the two short days it is run.

Which brings me to today.

Today me and my mum and sister finally made it out to the cities to check it out this year. I say finally because we had planned to go yesterday, but as you may or may not know, we just got a ton of snow dumped on us. It was about half-way to the sale that we realized just how badly things were going, the freeway was crowded, crawling, and icy. This is a very bad combination for my mom's lightweight Fit, which doesn't handle snow very well. Still, we journeyed onward... until we saw the accident in the middle of the road, prompting us to turn around at the next exit and head back defeated. Today, however, the roads were (mostly) cleared and we could make the hour long trek safely.

Can I just say... it was crowded... like really really really crowded. I understand that cities are generally more crowded than small towns, but... wow.

And I think I could have dealt with the crowds if there were some super awesome vendors to visit. Something new, something innovative, something... other than plushies, jewelry, and weird screen prints. As much as I love all three of those things, I have enough to last me a little while... or a little more than a little while. The stuff that I saw (all those necklaces, prints, and critters) was all very well made, very high quality materials, very Cute! But expensive. If I already have a surplus of the objects you are trying to sell, it is going to take a good deal, a cute design, and something DIFFERENT to make me look twice.

Which brings me to my second beef with the Craft-o-Rama this year... there wasn't anything new. I have attended this show for about five years now, and I haven't seen many positive changes. Sure, they had the stand-out vendors like Adam Turman and his wonderful prints, but other than that, all I saw were the same kitschy things posted all over the internet. So, as much as I hate to say it... The big, awesome No Coast Craft-o-Rama was kinda a bust.

Tomorrow, however, I feel will be better! Sorry to start off the blog with such a negative review, but I was really hoping it was going to be better than this!

Hello World!

Hi! This is where I begin telling you all my little story. I think it is tremendously important that everyone gets a chance to say their thoughts, so here is my chance! So before we dive into the fun and interesting stuff... I just want to fill in a little bit of my background, so please just hang with me for a little while.

Abby G: A (Sorta) Brief History

12/05/ 92 I was born to the young couple Liz and Greg. It was snowing horribly, and my parents and extended family were still blissfully unaware of the trouble I would cause.

12/06/92 They being to realize...

10/03/94 Maggie is born. My world becomes a little more crowded.

8/8/96 Jane is born. This turns out to be a good thing because...

12/05/92 We move to Woodville! Which isn't terribly exciting in and of itself, but I got my own room!!!

Sometime before 6th grade- My badgering has finally worn down Mom, she taught me how to knit!

15 minutes later- I learn how to frog.

8th grade- Complete the Sweater that shall not be named, seen, or mentioned every again... UGLY first sweater.

15 minutes later- Regret making stupid sweater, and cast on for a hat.

Freshman year- Establish the "gang". These truly awesome friends have greatly helped me throughout the year.

Summer between Soph and Junior year- First exploration in the world of jackasses, and heartbreak.

Junior year- Meet bf for the next year, good guy.

Summer before Senior year- Truly awful meltdown of wonderful bf that changes the history of our relationship. (Hint: Depression Sucks)

Current- Recently broke up with said wonderful guy for some rather un-wonderful reasons. I am struggling with a heavy course load, and rediscovering the importance of yarn therapy.

     This is hopefully where I begin a new chapter in my life. I have let many major turning points in my life be determined by others. Although I recognize that this is inevitable, I will now take more responsibility in my own life. I will... as corny as it seems... rediscover myself. Knitting is one of the most useful tools I have discovered in this process, so I dedicate this blog to the pursuit of happiness, in the form of alpaca, wool, and cotton.