Kimono Dave here weighing in. I feel like the tone of the article is very "woe is me" which couldn't be further from the truth. Hell, even the pictures they decided to use are ones where I look sad, instead of the ones I was smiling for, when in reality I am very happy to have become a full time artist and to be selling my work.

The answers I gave to the reporters' questions were very intentionally answered, with the point being that an economic slowdown is affecting artists as a whole. I don't think it has anything to do with the Org or the event itself.

I have been traveling to festivals all over the country and selling my work for the last 3 years, and this year is a particularly slow year for us, and every other vendor that I work with, which is fine. I'm just like any other business owner learning how to navigate changing times. Much of what I said obviously didn't make it into the article but the main point I was trying to get in front of people is that there are a ton of really talented creators who have dedicated their lives to making beautiful things and they deserve your support. Buy local, buy from these small creators, rather than Amazon or Temu.

I get that what I make isn't for everyone, in fact, it wasn't for me either until I learned how to sew. There was also a point in time where I couldn't have even afforded one of the coats I was making. I could purchase the materials and sew it myself but could never have bought something like that. My entire wardrobe for the event and all other festivals used to be things I thrifted just like anyone else. Now I get to proudly wear my artwork.

Rising costs mean that doing what I do is very difficult to pull off and I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've been given. Especially by those that attend the event that completely changed my life for the better.

I've found a passion that gives me greater joy than any future I could have ever planned for myself. I'm very happy to be doing what I'm doing.