The craft fair summer season is about halfway done. I’ve had shows every Saturday since late June except for the July 4th weekend, and I have two more left before September begins. This weekend is my niece’s wedding, and another weekend we’re having company; otherwise, my dance card for the month of August’s Saturdays would be filled, too. Because I’m not doing any projects related to school, I have lots of creative energy to use making and selling my jewelry, and printing and selling my note cards, and I’m still looking forward to upcoming events. The income isn’t the only reason, though; the people are more than half of what I appreciate.

Fellow crafters are a fascinating bunch. Some have been doing this gig for a while, and some are new to it, but most all of them have some expertise, creativity, and advice that I’ve found quite helpful. Fairgoers give valued feedback in their comments even if they don’t end up purchasing anything. I’ve used many of their suggestions with good results. Perhaps the nicest people aspect of craft fairs in my local area are the friends and alumni from years past who visit my booth. What a delight to see them as adults, often with their own kids and grandbabies! Craft fairs end up being as much a social event for me as they do a vending event. Even though it gets to be more of a challenge to lug tables, tent, displays, etc. there, set them up, and take them down, I appreciate the days both for the income and the catching up with friends.

Some Things need to be kept: bank records, business receipts, copies of applications, collections of forms used to plan and run events, contact information for Important People, certificates, permits, warranties, etc.

Other Things I want to keep: front pages of newspapers showing certain historical events, instructions, recipes, interesting articles, unsent greeting cards, pretty but empty bottles, souvenirs from events and trips, older pieces of computer and photography equipment, stacks of books yet to be read, items that I find during the year to be given as Christmas or birthday gifts, photos and items from my youth, pens and pencils, bottles of hand lotion, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines, etc.

The category of Things that is most troublesome: Things that I might want or need. Catalogues, sections of the newspaper with undone crossword puzzles, parts of things long deemed unusable, stacks of books I have no intention of reading, perfectly good strong cardboard boxes and padded mailing envelopes that have been gently used, clothing that almost fits, extra fabric and yarn from projects, old floppy disks (I think I still have the disk drive to read them), perfectly good tablecloths that don’t fit the shape or size of tables we currently own, cups and tins filled with pens and pencils that may or may not work, etc. Why is it so difficult for me to part with them?

I say that I don’t have time or energy to eliminate The Clutter after working at a sometimes stressful job. I find other tasks that are — or seem to be — more important. Simply put, I procrastinate, possibly because I just don’t need or want to let go of my Stuff. It must be some kind of comfort, some security blanket to have so much Stuff around me. I do enjoy and appreciate less cluttered spaces, but for me to achieve that, I have to somehow get rid of some Things, and that thought gives me chills.

What if, in giving something away, I accidentally get rid of something important? (I suppose I could ask for it back, but that seems unkind, and they may not give it back.)

What if I toss something usable and find I have to spend good money to replace it? (“It’s only money” I hear a voice whisper. Yes, but that’s in limited supply.)

There are more important things to do with my time. (Bingo! I might miss something good if I’m wrapped up in the job of decluttering.)

Until the piles and stacks of Things overwhelm my space, and I go into a cleaning frenzy, or until I’m mentally wrestling with something and need some productive physical activity to release my emotions, I live within The Clutter, messily and happily.

But today I’ve reached a limit, so I’m about to don a crummy looking pair of jeans and an old work shirt, gather a handful of trash bags and cleaning cloths, and head into one collection of Clutter to do battle with it. May the best woman win!

post script: So much for once a week! Looks like once a month is more likely. 8^)