Poetry Friday Is Here This Week

Hello and welcome to Poetry Friday! If you are wondering what Poetry Friday is, then check out this explanation by children’s author, Renee M. LaTulippe, on her blog, Water No River. I’m excited to be hosting the round-up this week!

And, what a week it’s been!

It started off on Sunday when we drove to the Twin Cities to go to the Stone Bridge Art Festival. Over 200 artists were represented at this juried show. The day was hot and sunny, leaving us in a hurry to get through the entire festival grounds.

200 vendors at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival in Minneapolis. It is a juried show. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2025.

I bought an art print, a photographic print, and a handmade purse. I could have bought a lot more. My husband went to gather the information he could find about the show itself. He’s been busy making segmented wood bowls and is looking for an appropriate art show in which he could be juried in.

A 1441-piece segmented bowl my husband made. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2025

What have we learned?

There is a wide but blurred difference between art and craft. Fortunately, the Stone Arch Art Festival left him impressed. They had a lot of art, at least more art than craft. He spent time speaking with several of the artists about their work and the show. It was worth it as he came away with the information he needed. We’ll be headed to Madison, Wisconsin, next month for their Art on the Square Festival, where 500 artists are juried in. Both places are a three-hour drive, but manageable enough for us to consider participating in the show if accepted.

Monday, Tuesday, and today, I spent time getting ready to participate in a local night market with my handmade jewelry. I am a crafter. There is no doubt about it.

© Carol Labuzzetta, 2025

I haven’t done a show in more than seven years. Since we are in a new area of the state, I thought I might try t participate in a Nite Market held in the largest nearby city, about thirty minutes away, Medford, Wisconsin.

Ugh! Let me tell you, I’ve forgotten how much work is entailed in getting ready for a show! In addition to the pricing, tagging, and display decisions, I’ve had to update my technology so that people can pay with a credit card by tapping or inserting their chip. I bought a square chip reader to do that, but today I spent close to four hours trying to get it to work.

Technology can be so frustrating!

Well, it’s Friday morning, here in Wisconsin. The show was a success, and my technology worked! I let everyone know last week that I probably wouldn’t have the round-up posted until this morning. I’m sorry if you did not see that and were looking for it last night.

I had some time to write a few haiku and play with alliteration during slow periods last night. Here they are: 

Yummy Food Truck Food
Southwestern Egg Roll Delights
Spicy Mole Zing

Selling at 
Summer
Side Walk 
Sales in the 
Sun

new way to greet guests
blueberry margaritas
yummy slushiness

© Carol Labuzzetta, 2025

It was also a week for me to write about environmental issues on Medium.

View at Medium.com
View at Medium.com

If you are interested in reading more, you can go to my LinkedIn page (under my name) and access the whole article. Despite my sharing the friend link here, it doesn’t seem to work.

Have a great start to your summer!


24 thoughts

  1. Rather crafty post, Carol. You’ve been busy. Look forward to seeing a few haiku down the track. We have a large local craft market each month in my town of Mornington, but I can’t boast of possessing craft inclinations, so I have great admiration for those who pursue such creative endeavours. I did make a flourless orange cake for the first time this week, but that only qualifies as an ephemeral creation, not something with permanency. Thank you for hosting.

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    1. I think it’s safe to say that you are pretty darn good at crafting with words and what can be more permanent than a story or an impression you make on our youth! Don’t sell yourself short, Alan! I’m sure your orange cake was pretty tasty too! Thanks for your generous comments.

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  3. Carol, your husband’s work is beautiful, and so is your jewelry! I’m so glad to know that last night went so well (and that the frustrating tech came through for you in the end.) 🙂 I hope both of the art festivals you’re visiting this month and next become the perfect homes for your husband’s work.

    Thanks for hosting! Off to add my link.

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    1. Thanks, Karen. I was relieved the tech worked. My phone’s battery is an issue too – I’ll have to look into getting that replaced but most people paid cash and I didn’t have to turn anyone away because the tech wasn’t working – so that was good. I do hope my husband finds a place to sell his bowls – they are beautiful but multiplying! Parts of my house look like a gallery! Lol – it’s a good problem to have, I guess!

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  4. Pingback: Poetry Friday: Rosie’s Has It All | Imagine the Possibilities

    1. Thanks for stopping by Irene! I hope you have some time to enjoy this season – sounds like you are busy as always! The blueberry margarita was delicious – enough so that I want to look for a recipe. The host of the show served small ones (mini size) to all vendors who wanted one – and who wouldn’t?!

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  8. Thanks for hosting Carol. So much creativity going on. Art fairs are so amazing. Your husbands woodwork is incredible and I am sure your jewelry is too. So nice you can do this together. Can’t imagine how he does that! And boy, a blueberry margarita sounds great!

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    1. Thanks Michelle! It was weird that the editor I submitted the light pollution article to had never heard of it. I enjoy writing those kinds of pieces. Stay cool in this heat that’s hitting the Midwest this weekend.

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  12. Thank you for finding time to host us this week, Carol! You have been busy! Your jewelry is lovely, and I’m intrigued by the stunning bowl your husband made. Whether with beads or words, you’ve strung together so much beauty this week.

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  13. Carol, I am sorry that I missed commenting. I have looked at this blog several times. I love the photos, especially the basket Enjoy the summer. Keep on writing undr the sun!

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