Boom De Yada

[ladysprite]

Today's gratitude is for all of the awesome, kind, generous, helpful, supportive, and generally amazing shopkeepers and businesspeople of Salem, Massachusetts.

Given that today was likely to be one of the last nice days of the year, and given that it's getting close (at least, in my timeline) to Arisia and the raffle tpau and I are running to raise funds for the 3 Day, I spent today wandering the streets of Salem along with my boon companion, lucky charm, and Good Idea Guy metaphysick, hitting up shops for donations. (And a secondary shout out of gratitude to him, because it was his idea to hunt there.)

For those of you not familiar with Salem, it is a town full of tiny, kitschy, kooky stores, mostly with the word "witch" somewhere in their name, selling exactly the kind of stuff that would be welcome and more at Science Fiction conventions. And, apparently, these stores are almost all owned by generous, easygoing people who will gladly share their wares for a good cause. They also all apparently know each other, leading to suggestions like 'Go to Store X on Y street and don't do your speech. Just tell 'em Lorelai sent you, and they'll listen.'

And while I'm at it, gratitude beyond belief goes to braider, my deputy at OVFF, who mamaged to come back from that convention with a crazy number of CD prizes - and to all of the artists who donated. And to tinyplasticmeat for the beautiful cowl and mitts she knitted for the raffle.

At this point, the raffle is gearing up to be something truly epic. I have an entire autographed run of Girl Genius. I have autographed novels, and a box of games from Steve Jackson that, by itself, is worth more than most of my Christmas hauls when I was a kid. The Drum Connection in Arlington has given us a certificate for a doumbek (winner's choice). I have (as noted) a hell of a lot of amazing CD's. I have jewelry and free psychic readings and gift certificates for boutique clothing and jewelry stores and handmade afghans and hand-dyed yarn and free passes to haunted houses and t-shirts and gaming books....

I can't wait to see how this all plays out.

And for those of you who promised to donate prizes, it's getting pretty close to raffle time - especially if you're one of the truly heroic people who offered to make crafty items or jewelry. If you're going to be bringing items to Arisia to donate, please let me know by confirming here; I'm keeping a spreadsheet at this point. And if you're not going to be attending the con, or if you just want to get donations to me beforehand so it's one less thing to keep track of, please either let me know so I can pick things up from you, or send them - I'd hate for things to get delayed by holiday mail busyness and not get here in time. (I will happily send my address to anyone who needs it.)

This is going to be amazing. Thank you all so much....

Comments

[guendalina.livejournal.com]

I've decided to just do a gift certificate for a custom snood up to $150 value. Okay? Can you make up something pretty saying that?

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow - that is truly awesome; thank you! I can absolutely write up a certificate. And I'm sorry you won't be at the con; I'll miss seeing you.

And tickets will be on sale in advance. :) I'll post something here, probably in mid-December.

[guendalina.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) We wish we were going, too, but the new dealer's room only format is both too expensive and a security nightmare.