My Fate in Woodcraft

It's pretty ironic, fate is. Just a few months ago, I was perfectly happy to be working on a normal everyday advertising job. I had no interest whatsoever with fairs or festivals. Maybe not really happy, but the pay was good.

Let me tell you a little something about myself. My name is Rita Horowitz, and I'm in my early twenties. Like many people, I went straight to work after graduation to work off my student loans. But deep down inside, I've always held a soft spot for woodcraft.

My interest in woodcarving started with my grandfather. As I was growing up, I saw him take old pieces of wood and like magic, small toys and figures would appear under his hand. One day, he saw curiously looking on and he began to teach me the basics of woodcarving.

Ever since then, I've been carving; first within eyesight of my grandfather (a child with a blade needed adult supervision, of course), then by myself when my grandfather passed away. Unfortunately, my parents talked me out of thinking there was a good future in carving wood, and that propelled me towards a more solid industry. And that's how I am now a graphic designer in an ad agency.

So, where's the irony here? For reasons I will opt to not say here, I was never one to go to Florida's numerous fairs and festivals. I have always avoided them, as I thought they weren't my thing, until an old college buddy saw me recently and invited me to her booth. Yups, it was in a fair.

I found myself returning to fairs, until I counted my third time going. And this time, I had brought a big batch of my carved pieces with me. I overcame my irrational fear of fairs, and I realized it was a perfect place for other people to see my works. As I've good feedback for my initial attempt, I now sell my crafts alongside my friend (she and I share a booth), and I'm just lapping up the praises.