So I did actually go to Toronto, and I did (with my school) have work in the One of a Kind show. On the very first day I realized it was not the place for me. Contrary to the name, there was very little for sale at the show that was unique and about 80% was kitschy crap, well okay, maybe 75%. Of the rest, most was (wisely) marketed to the middle aged (read, "spending money") demographic and so had very little interest for me. Someone should have thought of marketing to the "broke student" demographic, because then I might have bought something - I can't imagine why they don't.

One of the things passers-by and customers said was that they loved the school booths because the work was so fresh and creative since we weren't trying just to sell. It was wonderful feedback, and I certainly agreed. There was one woman who saw my Body Sculptures on the shelf and asked me about them. She really loved the forms and wondered what I was thinking when I made them, then was astounded when I said they could be worn. She tried Number 2 on and it fit her perfectly! (sorry, this one's not in my gallery yet) I think she truly loved it, but it was definitely priced outside the impulse buy range. Oh well, she got the concept, so I was thrilled!

So I learned two things:
1. I don't have any desire to market myself via direct sales, and if I did, I'd stick to my side of the country;
2. If I did decide to do a show, I'd seriously have to create a market-oriented, not TOO exciting product line, because let's face it, the vast majority of the public don't want art that's too far off the beaten track. (I'm fine with that, and with artists who's work fits that, but it's not where I want to put my creative energy.)

I did get to see some very cool galleries, though sadly, few with great sculpture. I even found a few that were interested in seeing my work, which means I have to get photos and that dratted artist statement done so I can sound like a prat, officially. I don't know what it is about artist statements. I understand their necessity, but find it's nearly impossible to write a general one for myself without sounding like the most pretentious person on earth. If I wrote one that was honest it wouldn't sound artsy at all and would probably be incomprehensible to a curator. Oh well, I guess I'll have to learn art-speak one of these days

Anyhow, I ended up trading my Torc for a two-sided cast silver pendant by a student from Ontario College of Art and Design. Her piece is called Heart Ache and you can see it here [link] . It spoke to me, and she fell in love with my piece, and then emailed a few days later to say she couldn't take it off and was wearing it all the time. Yay!

So I guess now that school's over, I'll try to find a blacksmith to apprentice with, because I have SO MUCH to learn still. I'm hoping that being in Vancouver will make that easier to find, but we'll see. Right now I could sleep for a month.