Ed and Nancy Calkins: Recap of Willow Fest Sales

Last Saturday, I had planned to write a quick recap of Ed and Nancy Calkins' first official event (Willow Fest), but I wound up taking a social media break due to my oldest cat unexpectedly crossing the rainbow bridge and having to work all weekend.

So I will share that recap today.

I must say Nancy was very organized and had some good tips for easily and effectively hanging art for our next booth. She was also a very good salesman.

Ed actually had Call of the Siren opened next to him and mildly complained that the customers were cutting into his reading time and confessed he wasn't a good salesman. I could certainly commiserate with that!

But on Sunday, he started sending texts whenever they made a sale, which was very exciting - and I've  shared those texts below Ed and Nancy's photo so you can share in the excitement, too.

The only disappointing part of the entire weekend if that the one painting Nancy sold was returned by the customer's spouse, saying the couple had nowhere to hang it. I think that dampened their enthusiasm for another event this year.

I'm not certain art is any harder to sell than books. But I am going to reach out to some of my artist friends for ideas and advice.

And if you're an artist, please message me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Finally, the BryonySeries is hosting a back-to-school "buy one, get one free" book sale through Aug. 31. Details are here.

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A Quick Stop to Willow Fest to See Ed and Nancy Calkins

Since we didn't go to North Carolina, Timothy and I drove to Willow Fest after I had my ears finally flushed.

Ed and Nancy Calkins were surprised to see us, of course, considering they thought I'd gone to North Carolina to see family.

If you missed them yesterday, they will be back today from noon to 7 p.m. They are super friendly - do stop out to see them.

Besides seeing Ed and Nancy, trip held three other nice surprises for us.

One, a bike shop allowed us to park in front of its building, even though the strip mall had signs clearly posted, "No event parking."

We didn't stay long. And Timothy went inside afterwards to buy a bike lock. The store was sold out due to back-to-school, but should have some in next week. Timothy drives past it all the time for work, so he was happy about that.

Timothy also bought two pieces from All American Floral Design. 

He bought a wreath for his front door...

...and a sign for mine.

Have a beautiful day!

Going to Willow Fest? Stop out at Ed and Nancy Calkins' Table

Yesterday morning Timothy and I were supposed to fly out to North Carolina to see family.

My father, whom I haven't seen since 2019 (and was still working) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's during COVID and went into a nursing home in December 2021. He is eighty-seven. And he may not remember me.

I also haven't seen mother since 2019, and she will be eighty-seven in a couple of weeks.

We have tried since COVID restrictions lifted to go out there, really. But one issue after another derails our plans. And 2022 has been one slew of emergenies after another for us all year.

This latest was a retina "thing" for me last week, followed by a postponement of my ear flushing (they are impacted) so I can fly without rupturing my eardrums, followed by the approval, then an appointment for flushing finally scheduled (hurray!) and then having to cancel that appointment to euthanize Frances who took a bad turn followed by the cancellation of the euthanization in favor of a care plan this weekend and a wait and see.

If you can follow that (and we can barely), nearly every day of this past year has looked like that - except on steroids.

And yet, all of this confusion has silver and gold linings for this weekend.

Yesterday I napped, read, and walked a little. Today is more of the same (after the ear flushing).

But I'm also hoping to stop out at Willow Fest, which I didn't want to miss and now (hopefully) I won't.

Ed and Nancy Calkins will have a table or two at the event from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at One Village Circle in Willow Springs, the corner of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road. This is a first for them, and they are very excited 

The Steward of Tara and his "angel" wife are selling Nancy's original artwork and BryonySeries books.

So if you're in the area, or can make plans to be in the area, stop out if you can.

Even if you're not in the market for a painting or a book, they are two of the friendliest, nicest people you will ever meet - and your day will be richer for passing their way.

Ed and Nancy Calkins at Willow Fest

If you're in the general area and have some time next weekend, stop out at Willow Fest to see Ed and Nancy Calkins.

Nancy is an accomplished artist, a retired art teacher, and will be selling some of her gorgeous art (she created the cover for Call of the Siren) 

Ed, of course, has written two books for the BryonySeries, in addition to being fictionalized as the Steward of Tara in the "drop of blood" trilogy.

He will also have for sale (at his insistence, not mine), copies of all the other books in the BryonySeries.

I will (hopefully) be out of town trying to visit my father, whom I haven't seen except on video since 2019. He developed Alzheimer's during COVID and went into a nursing home in December, so I feel a sense of urgency is going.

But, disappointingly, I am missing the event. But I'm hoping you can make it on either Saturday on Sunday.

Even if you don't buy a book, you'll want a copy of Ed's new business card, a raelly fun collaborative project.

But that's another post for another day.