More thoughts on local interest

I probably sounded a bit bitter last time I talked about local interest photos. Oft asked for and rarely produced. I have a few of my town, and this spring, I did some recon after a show and took some pictures of a place I'd return to in the fall.
The entire time I was there, lazily taking pictures, all I could think was, 'I'm pandering.' This was probably an elitist and stupid thing to think. Having taken the pics and printed some out and gone back to that fall show, I am still of two thoughts on local interest. Many people saw them and did one of two things. "Hey, I know where that is!" or "Where is this?" Ironically, some of the pictures were too close to where we were (less than a block) and still too far away.
I thought, well, that's it, I can't even pander right. But on the other hand, I did sell a few that in any other town, I wouldn't have. So, I still don't know what's best.

One bit of magic did happen as an argument against local interest (or at least 100% local interest). One guy flipped through one box of pics and pulled one out. He looked at it with wonder and bought it immediately. He told me that he and his wife had been in the exact place and waited for an hour for the sky to cooperate. They ultimately gave up and told themselves 'one day, we'll find the picture we were looking for.' And, so he did. He happily took the picture and it is now a tool for him to remember a special trip, place, and feeling. For a minute, I felt self actualized.

Magnets

I am super-stoked (and high on glue fumes) to introduce Under the Same Sun magnets for your viewing, purchasing, and fridge decorating pleasure.  After many contemplative hours and a little online research, I've made 47 of these beauties, all for you. 
 The reviews are already pouring in.

"Best day ever!"  -your fridge

"I want to be held up by these gems."  -your kid's homework

"No one will see me under these."  -your grocery list

"One of these over your face will improve this picture."  -your older sibling

 "Don't get too distracted while getting a drink." -one of these awesome magnets

Custom Order

The hardest part about having this very small business was (and is) deciding which pictures to offer to sell.  Inevitably, of all the prints I make, someone comes up with someething I don't have.  But yesterday, someone asked for something that I did have.  Just not physically. 
This has me wonder if I should take the suggestion of making a portfolio, or just carrying the lappy around to pull up special requests. 

Anyway.  Marsha, is this what you had in mind?  Email me.  ellieunderthesun@gmail.com

Spring Things!

The long awaited and short (at the moment) spring schedule for Under the Same Sun is here!
On May 5th, I'll be at the Catonsville Flower Festival and Garden Party, fancy!

This is a celebration of spring and the opening of their summer Farmer's Market.
Join me (and others) for colorful arts and crafts as well as a chance to brighten your day with some flowers and fresh veggies.  

http://www.catonsville.org/events/flowerfest.html

On May 11th, I'll be in Boonsboro, Maryland at the Greenfest.  This is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Here you can bring all of your recyclables and they'll take care of them.  Here's a comprehensive list of what they'll take  http://www.boonsborogreenfest.com/recycling.php.  Then you can find some re-purposed arts and crafts.  You can eat delicious food.  And after all of that, you can stock up on recycling products such as compost bins and rain barrels.  The hippie in me wants it all!

http://www.boonsborogreenfest.com/