Sewing in Circles by Chloe Taylor Page A

because I make them myself,” Zoey explained. “They’re not the name brand.”
    â€œI don’t care if they’re the name brand,” the girl said. “I totally love your designs.”
    I wish Ivy felt that way, Zoey thought.
    â€œI’m going to get this one,” the girl said, picking out a bracelet with a sunflower design.
    â€œThanks for being my first sale!” Zoey said, taking her money. “Do you want a bag?”
    â€œNo, I’m just going to wear it right now. It’s a gift from me to me!” the girl said.
    Zoey laughed. “Well, enjoy wearing it!”
    Shortly afterward, an older woman came up and started browsing.
    â€œThese are just beautiful—and so unusual,” she said, picking up one of the silk-screened scarves with Ezra’s painting on it.
    â€œMy friend did the artwork,” Zoey said. “Here’s a card with his information if you’re interested in buying one of his paintings.”
    She handed the woman one of the cards Marcus had designed with Ezra’s details.
    â€œThank you,” the woman said. “In the meantime, I’d like to buy this scarf for my daughter-in-law. It’s just her kind of thing.”
    Things are starting to look up, Zoey thought. She just hoped it kept looking up enough so she’d make a profit.
    She wondered if Ezra was going to stop by to hang out, and if so, when. That would definitely brighten up her day.
    Just then Zoey saw a familiar face step into the booth—Jan.
    â€œYour layout looks wonderful!” Jan said. “So creative with the ladders and the twine clothesline.”
    Zoey laughed. “We had to do that—because I didn’t have enough display materials!”
    She told Jan about the short delivery and setup hiccups from the day before.
    â€œWell, you certainly made the best of it,” Jan said.“Now, I need to find a present for a friend. . . . What do you suggest?”
    â€œI recommend the silk-screened scarves,” Ezra said, surprising Zoey by sneaking into the booth while she was talking to Jan.
    â€œHi, Ezra! Have you come to help and hang out?” Zoey asked as Jan looked around.
    He grinned. “At your service!”
    â€œEzra did the original artwork that I silk-screened onto the scarves,” Zoey explained to Jan. “Here’s his card.”
    â€œThese are so beautiful,” Jan said. “I’m not sure which one I like best!”
    She ended up buying one for her friend and one for herself.
    â€œSee you in the store!” she said. “Good luck with the rest of the fair.”
    â€œDid you see? She took my card!” Ezra said. “Maybe she’ll buy a painting!”
    â€œAnother customer who bought a scarf took the card too,” Zoey told him.
    â€œThanks, Zoey,” Ezra said. “This could turn out to be a pretty good thing for me. I’m sorry I freaked out.”
    â€œI’m sorry, too,” Zoey said. “Because you were right—I should have asked you first.”
    â€œHey, look—Libby and your other friends are here,” Ezra said.
    Sure enough, Kate, Priti, and Libby converged on the booth.
    â€œHow’s it going?” Priti asked. “Are you a gazillionaire yet?”
    â€œUm . . . I’m still a few gazillions short,” Zoey admitted. “It was pretty slow earlier.”
    â€œIt looked like a lot more people were arriving when Mom dropped us off,” Libby said. “So hopefully things will get busier.”
    â€œThe bracelets look really good,” Priti said. “I’m sorry I overreacted about you copying them.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Zoey said. “I understand.”
    â€œHey, do you mind if I go look around before it gets too busy?” Ezra asked. “I haven’t seen any of the fair yet.”
    â€œSure—I got to go around and look yesterday when I was scrounging for