Unique L.A. Report.

This is kind of a big deal...I finally met textdrivebys. Known her for awhile now online, but only met in person for the first time last week. Good news is she is as cool in person and it kind of felt like meeting an old friend. We have crazy stuff in common.

Worth noting: textdrivebys and I both took public transit to Union Station then walked together to the Fashion District. Beat that! She took the train in from Orange County and I rode the buses from the Empire. It took forever, yes. Do you think you could do it? It took HOURS.

I've described Unique L.A. as a craft fair for hipsters. I still think that's pretty accurate. It was a lot more crowded this year which is good news. The selection was not a whole lot better though. Mostly purses, jewelry, shirts. Really nice stuff, but anyone offering something DIFFERENT were the booths that got my attention. When I saw a lonely booth with a lone seller in it with one table, I felt sad, but I also ran in the other direction. Some vendors need help making their displays more inviting and a smile might help. You'd be surprised how many scowling girls and boys I saw trying to sell their wares. I think maybe they spend all their time producing their things, and forget that they have to sell it afterward? Maybe they are resentful that customers don't think their merchandise is worth what they are priced? Or that the booth across the way is stealing everyone's interest and they can't figure out why.

I was having this conversation with a friend earlier this week...I bought a piece of jewelry from a woman that I thought was a little bitchy. No one else was selling what she had. I should have walked, but I wanted the product. Should I have said something to her?

I only bought a few items in the end, but we browsed everything. I went through the same thought process as usual which goes like this...

Pfft! I can make that.
I should make more things.
I should make something.
I will make something.
I could have a booth.
What am I going to make?
I'm not going to buy that because I can make it myself.
My stuff will be cooler than most stuff here.
Fuck, I should go back and buy that thing.
I'd make stuff if I had more time.
...I'm never going to make this shit myself.
But I could!
Fuck, I am a lazy asshole.

Here are some photos and there are more here.