To Market, To Market…
The past few weeks have been busy as I prepared to launch Studio Kahaani, so busy that I haven’t had much time to write or take stock. This last week saw the launch of Studio Kahaani online, as well as our first foray into an in-person holiday market. The artisan market was special not only as my first of such events for the brand, but also because it is an annual institution in our neighbourhood - one that I attended for many years growing up, eager to find new makers and their offerings. It’s held, along with many other wonderful events, in a beautiful historic hall with incredibly tall domed ceilings. I have spent many days and evenings there over the years, as a child rehearsing in community plays or lolling about during summer camps. As a young adult perusing art fairs and exhibitions. As an adult hosting my daughter’s first birthday party there, attended by numerous friends and family.
So to create Studio Kahaani’s own booth for the artisan fair in that same hall, well honestly it was so hectic at the time I hardly had a moment to ruminate on the full-circleness of it all. Designing an effective and appealing mini-boutique is no small feat, given limited space and the visual volume of the cushions I have. Lots of late night planning and organizing. Then the concept becomes very physical, setting up the display with the necessary staging and styling (and being very grateful that my husband is not travelling and willing to haul everything to and from the car!). And finally the best part, meeting so many wonderful local residents who had a genuine curiosity and interest in what I’m doing and similar reference points.
Our neighbourhood was a creative hub when I was growing up, home to academics, artists, and hippies. The retail flavour at the time included wonderful independent boutiques that celebrated Indian fabrics and prints. I grew up with these retail influences, alongside our annual trips to India, both serving as proverbial and constant creative bookends.
There’s really nothing that compares to meeting customers and clients in person, seeing their reactions to my designs, hearing their stories, and knowing these pieces will go off to live in various homes near and far. I was so happy after a long two days at the market, but it also reminded me how much energy each leg of the journey takes. A new and wise friend reminded me today that I should pause and celebrate each leg, as we all have the tendency to keep pushing forward without much fanfare or reflection. And with that well-timed reminder, I ended up turning down a last minute table that opened up at the same market for its second weekend.
Because last weekend gave me energy but took a lot too, connected me with new people but kept me from my kids both days, and left me with many ideas and little time to implement. So I write this in the spirit of new entrepreneurship and sustainable balance, just as I would like Studio Kahaani to embody sustainability and a beautiful life in all its forms.
Tonight instead of focusing on work I had the space to hold my daughter as she fell asleep, and to field her drowsy questions (mama, what is a Walkman? - that one really shook me, as it hit me that my old novels that she’s pulling off shelves have now become historical fiction…). So this weekend I’ll spend some time creating, putting up holiday decorations, doing laundry and other glamorous domestic chores, and saving some energy for all the exciting holiday markets to come for Studio Kahaani in December. And if I’m not home, I can probably be found at my parents house digging through old boxes trying to find my well-loved and prized Sony Walkman - so I can show my daughter that they really did exist!
