Annie Cresta is one with the waves (lifeisastorm) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-09-28 21:43:00 |
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Gwen had heard about this market from the parents of one of her students and decided that today would be the perfect time to check it out. Things were as calm as they ever seemed to get here in Orange County and she really wasn’t looking forward to spending another weekend at her flat going through boxes. She’d gotten rid of a lot of things that had been her parents or brothers but there were still things she needed to go through. Maybe she should ask Merlin or Arthur about coming over to help her. Or probably just Arthur since she didn’t really want to take Merlin away from his new baby. And she was looking forward to getting to spend more time with Arthur now that things were really good between them again.
She’d noticed the table with the young woman selling jewelry as soon as she’d gotten there but she’d waited to go check out what she had until after she’d visited some of the other tables. Picking up some fresh vegetables and herbs that she could plant in her window box in the kitchen, nothing that she needed to worry about getting home quickly so she could take her time checking out the jewelry. Her eyes were automatically drawn to a necklace in the middle of the table and she leaned over slightly to get a closer look.
***
Following the whole randomly bleeding from the eyes thing, Annie was more than happy to be able to get back out to the Farmer’s Markets on her weekends. It wasn’t that the movie studio didn’t pay well (it did), it was just a different feel. She was able to do more personal designs and sell them, versus having a theme or time period and then designing for that. Both allowed her to be creative, just in different ways. Besides, getting back into a regular routine after any sort of major upset to it was important for Annie and her coping mechanisms.
All in all, it had been a fairly decent day. Between good weather and the end of summer, more people were out and about and so there was always a steady stream of customers. Nothing overwhelming but also no major lulls either.
Having been working on a sketch for Gale and Leliana’s wedding rings, Annie blinked as she noticed someone looking at a necklace.
“Hello. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”
***
Gwen hadn’t meant to interrupt the young woman in her sketching, and she gave her an apologetic smile as she stood up. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your drawing. I just couldn’t help but notice your pieces. You design and make everything yourself right?” She asked, curiosity obvious in her voice as she looked over the table, her eyes going back to the necklace out of everything on the table.
***
The apology was met with a smile and shake of her head. Because she was there to sell, so if someone had questions, of course she was going to answer.
“It’s fine. Just a side project I’m working on during lulls. But in answer to your question that’s right. Each design is one I do, as well as making them.” Since it wasn’t like Annie melted down the metals and things of that nature. Then again most people didn’t associate the two together, which was good for Annie.
Noticing the necklace that Gwen was looking at, Annie decided to speak some about it. Not much.
“That one is based off the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar.” With the meaning of white/fair and then phantom/magical being, it worked well for inspiration.
***
“They’re beautiful,” Gwen said, setting the bags with her purchases down on the ground beside her feet. She wouldn’t be moving far from where she was so she didn’t see where it would be a problem to set them down.
She reached out with one hand to touch it, fingers stopping just short of making contact with it as she looked up at the young woman. “Do you mind if I pick it up?” She knew some artists were picky about things like that but she really hoped that Annie wasn’t one of them. Especially after she found out that the necklace was based off a variant of her own name, Guinevere.
***
The irony would not be lost on Annie should she learn Gwen’s name. Sometimes pieces just spoke to a person for unknown reasons. Such as the shared name and its variations. Or dreams, which was a bit more complicated. She’d been working on two other pieces, Avalon and Lady of the Lake, more so from her own affinity for water than anything else. But in the legends? There was plenty to pull from.
“Go ahead.”
Smiling in encouragement, Annie leaned back in her chair. She knew there were some who got twitchy about pieces being handled, but she made sure her pieces were sturdy enough to handle it and besides, it was better to get a good look versus that of it just on display.
***
Gwen picked the necklace up, looking at it closely a small smile on her face as she examined it. “It’s gorgeous.” She tore her eyes away from the necklace to look at the other young woman. “How much are you asking for it?” She’d known she wanted it as soon as she’d heard it’s name but once she was actually holding it in her hands and examining it closely, it went from a want to almost a need. If she’d believed in things like that she’d say it was fate leading her to this necklace. But she didn’t believe in fate. And definitely not in reference to objects.
***
“It suits you.” And it did. Even without knowing Gwen’s name, Annie had an eye for which pieces of jewelry suited others. If someone were purchasing for a gift, she just needed a picture or a description of the personality and she could still make the right choice for a customer. As for the price? Annie pulled out her notebook where she had all the prices marked down as it was easier for her to keep tabs that way. Ah, there it was. “That one is twenty dollars.”
***
Gwen was already setting the necklace down so that she could get her wallet out of her purse as the other woman gave her the price. She pulled out a twenty and handed it to the young woman. “Do you do custom orders?” She asked, thinking about possible Christmas presents for Morgana.
***
And a sale. Wonderful! Though it had seemed pretty obvious it was going to be one just from the way the conversation had been going. Still, it was always nice, especially as she was being asked if she did custom orders.
“I do.” Smiling, she placed the money in her change purse for sales, then pulled out her card to give to Gwen with her information. “You can reach me this way to discuss any pieces you would like for me to make.”
***
Gwen made a note of the young woman’s name as she took the card and tucked it in her wallet. “Thanks Annie. I’m glad I met you today. I’m Gwen by the way. Well Guinevere but I go by Gwen. I guess the name is what called me to the piece,” she said with a smile as she put her wallet up and then fastened her new necklace on.
***
“You’re welcome. And well, that could certainly explain it.” In Orange County, Annie had learned to stop questioning the way the strange coincidences popped up. Someone getting drawn to a necklace which had a variation of their name? Probably one of the less strange things to happen here. “It looks good on you. But yes, if you have any questions or ideas for custom pieces, I am always happy to see what I can do.”
***
“I’ll keep that in mind Annie. And I’ll definitely mention you to some of my friends. As soon as they see this necklace they’re going to ask where I got it.” Gwen said with a smile. “I’ll be in touch I’m sure,” she said, giving the woman a friendly smile and small wave before squatting down to pick up her bags and head back to her car. She’d have to come back to this market again to see what other artists came here to sell things. And to see what else Annie made.