For most of my life, I’ve been skeptical about going to the various fairs and festivals around Florida, and with good reason. When I was only thirteen years old, my first boyfriend had the audacity to break up with me in a fair, where everyone could see! It was so mortifying that I swore off fairs and festivals for as long as I live.

As with many adults, however, I eventually had to face my fear, if only to help out a friend. One of my former college classmates recently invited me to a fair where she had set up a booth for the first time. She was going to try and earn some extra bucks by trying out a charcoal portrait gimmick. I thought about it, and decided that my fear was largely irrational. Besides, I didn’t have a boyfriend at the time, so what could possibly happen, right?

Sworn duty or not, I decided to go on ahead and visit my friend’s craft show booth. Seeing the fair after all this time was exciting; it was shopping heaven! Every girl’s dream. Okay, I’m exaggerating. Nevertheless, I already had two heaping bags of stuff by the time I got to my friend’s booth.

While sitting down, motionless as my friend rendered my image in charcoal (for free), I wondered: What if I get in on this gimmick? There were so many crafts available in the area, and I bet that my own wooden carvings would sell just as well.

I suppose I should come clean, at this point: I have a peculiar fondness for woodcarving. It was one of my grandfather’s many hobbies, and apparently, the talent rubbed off on me a bit. I didn’t pursue it professionally, though, though I didn’t take a class back in college for it. It was actually in that class that I met Sandra (my friend that is skilled with charcoal).

I talked about my idea with Sandra, and she was immediately supportive of the notion. We’re going to try that on the next booth she’ll set up; I’ll get to join in, and in exchange, we’ll be splitting the rental cost. I’m ready for the day when I’ll sell my crafts; I’ll tell you how good (or bad) it went.