So last week, Veeptopus made it's first foray into the physical, non-net world. Earlier this year, my friend Ana and I were wait listed from the Renegade Fair. The event features vendors who all sorts of cute things that Etsy-shopping, NPR-listening type people like -- hand-woven scarves. Artisan soaps. Children's T-shirts that reference Japanese architects. S'mores with bacon. I was looking for new ways to get Veeptopus out in the market so I was bummed that we didn't get in.
Yet Ana, who runs the great site Cha Cha Covers - if nail art is your thing check it out -- and who is a veteran with the art fair scene, was undaunted. "Let's just show up the day of and see if there are any last minute cancellations." And on the day, after a tense couple hours waiting and haggling, we actually got in. We had a plot of a land at the corner of the fair wedged between a dog park and City Hall.
Lots of people stopped by. Most laughed at the concept. Many bought a print or two. One guy glowered at me as if I insulted him and walked away. He didn't buy anything. Overall, it was a very positive, if exhausting, experience. One that I hope to do again soon.
Veeptopus is going to take a break for Christmas but next year, I'm aiming to expand. Veeptopus T-shirts and a coffee table book will hopefully be a reality in 2015. Merry Happy everyone.