Three Years

There was never a time when I said “Okay, I’m going into business for myself.” It just kinda happened. Little Things Studio grew from something very very VERY little. But if there was a defining moment of “I should pursue this. This is awesome,” then the Cotton District Arts Festival April 2010 was IT. Three school friends of mine split booth fees and setup a space. (Carl Carbonell, Mary Katherine Blackwell, and Lauren Buntin) My parents had a tent because they would tailgate at football games. We strung rope from sides of the tent and used clothespins to hang work. I had NO business cards and NO bags! I wrote on scraps of paper my email address for people because they wanted to buy more! And the crazy thing to me was that I sold OUT of some prints!!!! I can’t emphasize to you enough that I did not know what I was doing. But I knew I loved doing it. I’m heading back up to Starkville this weekend for the Cotton District Festival again. I’ve just been thinking how amazing it is that I’m still doing what I love. I started with NO budget. The only reason I could print things is because I already owned a printer for school, and I had collected a lot of paper/scraps. I recycled and used everything. Then with the sales, I was able to buy more supplies (which to this day remains my business model.) I am so very thankful for all those first customers who supported a poor college student. Also I couldn’t have done it without my mom. (She and my dad were there in full force at the Cotton District supporting me.) I’m saving 10-15 scarves to debut at Cotton District. I’m not putting them online (and some of them I really want to keep!!!) because Starkville is important to me. I wish I had time to make more work, but I kinda have a wedding to plan and prior commitments on work. This weekend will be very special for me. Dave and I are taking engagement photos on Friday night. Then a ton of our friends are coming into town so it’s going to be a huge reunion! For those going to Cotton District, I’ll be across the street from Bulldog Deli. And of course my favorite booth helper Dave will be with me. Below are some pictures I pulled off from Facebook from my friend Allison (she is always so good at taking pics.) And she’ll be there again supporting her boyfriend (and one of my best friends) Tim Cook along with our friend Carl Carbonell in their booth “Dang Worthy.” Love this pic with my mom on my right telling me something and my old boss, dear friend, big time support of LTS, Sally Hester.    Were you there my first year at Cotton District??? If so, do you remember anything?