Returning A Changed Person

Reversable Apron

One of my aprons sold at the United Women in Faith Pop Up Shop

A few weekends ago, I returned to my home church to participate in a pop-up shop. The event was a vendor show celebrating Mother’s Day hosted by the church’s United Women in Faith unit. It has been a tradition for this event to happen once or twice a year.

I was invited to have a space to display and sell my aprons. I was happy to do so. For months I had been sewing many aprons with the fabric I had on hand. So, I didn’t have much to do to get ready, but to show up in Cincinnati.

This was the first time in over ten years I participated in this type of event at this church with my aprons. The last time, my mother and I were together. Then, people made comments like, “I don’t cook anymore,” or “That’s a lot of money for an apron,” or Anybody can make an apron.” The young woman I was then took all the statements personally.  Although we received many compliments and were happy with our sales, the comments from those of our beloved community hurt me. My mom didn’t care about the comments, but my confidence in my newfound love of creating aprons was shaken.

Returning years after I was bruised unintendedly, I was more confident in my craft and product. Overall, I felt well-received and sold more aprons than anticipated. Only one shopper asked for a senior discount. I kindly responded, “No,” and thanked her for stopping by my table. The person I am today has no desire to explain pricing of my aprons. Why should I run down the cost of fabric, thread, needles, sewing machine maintenance, electricity, and let’s not forget my skill. Stores like Talbots and Nordstrom do not hire staff to explain their pricing. We either make our purchase or not. Also, we don’t ask!

As in all things, the good of the day outweighed the bad. My favorite aprons sold to customers I know will love them. I also made new connections and received four orders totaling ten aprons!

Whether the interest in aprons is because of the rise of celebrity chefs and cooking shows, I am grateful the hurtful comments from years ago didn’t kill my inner drive to keep at my craft.

I understand and believe when you love what you create, someone out there will love it too.