I had a brilliant idea for how this show re-cap post was going to go--a play-by-play breakdown of how one 5'1" girl loads down a gypsy cart (Honda Element) and sets off on her own to peddle her wares for a day. I imagined shots of the "cart" stuffed to the ceiling with props and panels, my steaming travel mug of coffee, my booth before and after it was stuffed with goods, and the real zinger, my stubby little toes slipped into red sandals after the last rosette was arranged on the rack. I'd go on to share poses with some of my favorite customers and new friends and wrap up with a picture of the booth bare bones after my inventory was picked clean.
But, hello! Prepping, packing, setting up and taking down for a show is exhausting! How in the world did I expect to stop between trips to and from the car to frame and snap all those shots? Who wants to be my personal photographer for next time? It doesn't pay well, but you might get yourself an Etsy coupon.
I guess you'll just have to use your imagination through most of this post. Hang with me. . .
The preparations began on Friday as Nora helped me stamp, cut, scrawl and pin price tags to everything. Saturday afternoon I raided the house for props: a hall tree, a piano bench, a side table, a folding chair, an area rug, table cloths, a clementine box . . . then off to the Loft for more . . . art panels, a banquet table, a pair of old shutters, and the rest of my art. I loaded it all up with sheer girl power and crashed for the night.
Next morning, I was up at 6 am, thanking my lucky stars that my hair was cooperating and that there was enough coffee ground. I ended up at the Elk's Lodge about 7:15 and was greeted by some of the nicest ladies ever to coordinate an event, a beautiful spread of pastries and fruit, and a spot marked out just for me on the floor. After about 10 trips to the gypsy cart, I was ready to make some magic. Now here's your reward for making it this far.
Once everything was in its place, I returned to the car to slip into the ruby sandals, and alas, I'd forgotten to do my toenails. Ugh! Now thank your lucky stars I didn't take pictures of that!
Nora made it over with Daddy a little later in the morning modeling her made-by-mommy headband and her own handmade bracelet. She posed beside her display of greeting cards and beaded bracelets, cleverly labeled "Nora's Nook."
The crowd was incredible, and the buzz was thrilling! Thank you to everyone who made it through the throngs to my space in the middle of the room and found something that tickled your fancy.
I didn't quite get picked clean, but while I was packing up my abundant leftovers, I was presented with a gift card from the fabulous Katie Femia for being chosen as the vendor with the most pleasing display. Now if you were there, you would have realized that my friend Glenda actually had the most drop-dead gorgeous outfit in the place --hands-down-- brimming with chippy shabby chic antiques, but I didn't argue. Forgive me for boasting, but I could have sold $5 worth and been happy going home with such an honor. Who would have guessed?
If you didn't make it to the show, take heart. That charming clutch from last post somehow went unsold, and will be available at Junk Evolution for the First Friday event in May! I'll be back to share more on what I'm working on for the party and art walk soon!
