Hair Fair 2008 et al

Well, for better or worse, I figured it was time for a blog (which is absolutely astounding for me since I'm a rather shy, lone wolf - don't ponder that one too long as it may lead to cranial medical conditions). I'm sure many hair designers have a more formal blog. I'll warn you right now...you won't find that here.
I opened my store in late May/early June last year so I missed Hair Fair. I know I haven't been exactly prolific with the hairstyles but cancer has a way of interfering with the best laid plans. (I found the lump about a month after my store opened.) Then it was the biopsy and surgery, both of which can only be described as a fiasco of monumental proportions, then came the chemo and finally the radiation. Yes, hair was, at one point, being made by a completely hairless designer. How ironic is that?!
Now that the whining is out of the way...back to Hair Fair. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up. It's been grueling, hectic, chaotic and tiring but it's also been a complete blast! I was surrounded by veteran hair designers that I thought were breezing through this. After tuning into the Hair Fair group here and there I was relieved to find out that everyone else was having their own private panics right along with me.
Being on the inside of things I have developed a healthy respect for the committee members and all those who made Hair Fair possible. They did a fantastic job of organizing, keeping lag to a minimum and keeping us focused (although I'm sure if you asked them they would say the job was akin to herding cats - just try it sometime if you're not sure what I'm talking about). Many of the people involved were not only on the committee but vendors as well. I honestly don't know how they managed it all since I know I was about to pass out from stress and long hours just trying to get my own stuff ready.
I had a poke around the sims to see what other designers had done and I must say there are some fantastic and varied creations out there. But that's the whole point, isn't it? I mean it would be pretty boring if we all made the same type of hair. We all have our likes and dislikes, our favorites designers (I even have a list of my favorite designers...the people out there that, in my opinion, put out some pretty fantastic stuff time and time again.)
I learned a lot doing Hair Fair...a learning curve that I'm sure will continue, just not at such a rapid pace. And finally, a tip of the hat to Arhat Bingyi, a girl I didn't know existed until this whole Hair Fair thing started. Arh..you're a unique one...something we need more of. :)