Craft shows are amazing. You never know what you'll find, except you're pretty sure to meet some interesting people. Crafters tend to be creative, friendly folks, eager to talk and willing to share their enthusiasm for their work. Over the many years I've been doing craft shows, I've never yet come away without a sense of inspiration.
Occasonally I offer my books at a craft show. Despite the advantages of epubbing, lots of people still like "real" books, and even more like to meet the author in person. And I must confess that shoppers' awe of writers is quite an ego boost.
This weekend my table was near a wood-turner's, happily for me. I'm a great lover of wood, in its living form and in the multitudinous shapes it takes in the skilled hands of a woodworker. This particular turner, a former shop teacher, was equally intrigued with the written word, and we ended up swapping items. He got a copy of Framed; I got a stick.
The stick was about a foot and a half long, of clear, fine-grained maple with a satiny finish. It slid easily into my hand, and my fingers stopped naturally at a knob about a third of the way down. Each end is smooth and rounded. I like the balance of it, the perfect weight, the way it feels like an extension of my arm. Most of all, I like its name.It's called a "spurtle." An old word, but new to me. By definition, a spurtle is a stick for stirring porridge or soup. The derivation is Scots and goes back at least 400 years. I'm charmed by the idea that there is a name for a stick used to stir food; the equivalent in my kitchen is simply a "wooden spoon." But mostly I love the way the word feels in my mouth. It has a hiss, a pop, a purr, a growl, and that luscious "tl" at the end. Very satisfying.
Porridge is not often on the menu in my house, so my spurtle will probably hang on the wall, with assorted ribbons according to the season. But I'm so enchanted by it, I might write a Highlander novel, just so I can use its name.
What unusual words have you found in unexpected places? And where do they take you?
Wonderful word, practical use. I was raised around wood in the woods and an art community. My dad made "antiques" in the basement.
ReplyDeleteThe word I learned to use, is found in an Anne Rivers Siddons book, "Susurrate." Nothing like a susurating sea to keep one up at night!
That's a great word, too, Julie. "The soft susurration of wind in the leaves..."
DeleteGlad you stopped by.
Hi, Nikki!
DeleteAdding your blog to my list for daily visits. I need to look into craft shows as a venue for sales--but also for just meeting interesting people and learning new things!
Hi Judy!
DeleteI haven't had huge success with sales at craft shows, but they've led to lots of contacts. If I need to learn about pottery glazes, candle oils, or the ways jelly-making can go bad, I have a whole list of sources. I've collected names for characters and met other authors. Besides, it's great just to hang out with creative people.
"Spurtle" sounds like the porridge exploded. :-)
ReplyDeleteI once heard the most beautiful word or phrase in the English language is "cellar door." What do you think?
LOL, Liz. Yes, I thought of the bubbling sounds of porridge, too. I don't know about "cellar door," probably because of the meaning, not the sound. On the other hand, I've always loved the sound of "Stella Dora" (a brand of packaged baked goods. I wonder if they're still around). It's Italian, but sounds a lot like "cellar door."
DeleteYou have to say "cellar door" over and over to yourself, until the meaning is lost. ;-)
DeleteHow interesting, Nikki. My sister and I attended a crafts fair last spring in North Carolina and had good success with book sales but I think that was because we were the only authors there and the book took place in the same region.
ReplyDeleteChristy
Thanks for stopping in, Christy. I'm glad you did well at your fair. I'm usually the only author, or one of two, and the shows are in the general area of the book. Business at fairs has been declining lately, at least here in New England.
DeleteI'd love to do a craft show! Such an interesting place to offer books.
ReplyDeleteAnd during the lulls you can knit or crochet, too! How are things in FL?
DeleteOh my goodness. I come from a family of Scots (my grandparents moved here before my father was born) and we have one of those somewhere. I had no idea what it was or whence it came.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Now I'll have to try to track it down. And remember the wonderful word. I wonder if one uses a spurtle to stir haggis.
Oh, I'm glad I was able to help you reconnect with your ancestry, Kathy. I suppose you could stir just about anything with a spurtle.
DeleteThe funny thing is that last spring I picked up a beaver-stripped birch stick. The wood was nearly white, and the beaver's teeth had created an interesting pattern. I used it to stir compost "tea," so I guess it was sort of a backwoods spurtle.
Would also make a nice weapon for striking and jabbing close in. Missed the post until now. Great word. Rita
ReplyDeleteOr for whipping recalcitrant authors into shape. Not that you're recalcitrant at all, Rita! Or, for that matter, smacking anything that needs smacking. Thanks for popping in.
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