I'm back!

It was a long holiday season, but I'm back.  Right now I'm mired in paperwork getting ready for tax season,  always a good excuse to completely clean and re-arrange my studio and office.  

Time to regroup.  

The best all-around show I did was the Indie Garage Sale in Utica NY.  It was a 2-day show the last weekend before Christmas and it was by far the best and well-attended.   Many of us were situated in separate boutique-like shops, so it gave an upscale feel to the show.  That's my booth right behind the window with the light green tables. 

I had a wonderful holiday.  This was my tree, and a great tree it was!

Well, Ok I lied.  We went to NYC for a couple days. 

So this is really the tree:

Believe me, it was better than the Charlie Brown tree we had last year!

Wilbur got some new clothes (but he's more interested in the edible goodies)

Carla and the animals had a good time.

We feasted  

 

Christmas buffet





and partied 

and a good time was had by all

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Crazy week and the Pumpkin Festival in Norwich NY

Last week was insanely busy!  I finished an order for a customer who drove up here to pick up her order on Thursday.  Her husband and 2 adorable dogs came with her and they were a joy!  We had a wonderful meal, then relaxed in the hot tub, and they left first thing Friday morning for NYC with probably close to 300 lbs of candles. 

As soon as they left, I started loading the car for the Norwich Pumpkin Festival. 

The show was held in Norwich NY Friday 10/29 through Saturday 10/30.  Friday was set-up starting at noon, so I got there around 12:30.  As I was driving out of my driveway, I saw my street lamp had been knocked over, presumably by the landscapers who mowed my lawn that morning.  

Maybe I should have taken that as an omen, because it was rainy and blustery all afternoon as I tried my best to set up my tent and display on the street.   Both coats I had taken got wet as well as my feet.  I actually went to my car, took off my shoes and socks and sorta dried them out with the heater going full blast.   I finally got set up, but since I was on the street, the back was a lake, so I set my chair on the side. 

Saturday was Much nicer!  A brisk fall day, but no rain.  I was prepared with my winter coat, extra socks and shoes and my insulated and waterproof Timberlands which are 30 years old and have never let me down. 

So on to the pumpkins.  They were all lit and at night they were just amazing. 

Dog custumes!  They were the best.

 And scarecrow competition.

It was a great festival!  Even if it wasn't all handmade. 

I'll probably be back next year.  See you then!

Kirkwood Town Fair with My New Pop-Up Tent

Well the shows are done for now, so I'm taking a 2 week break to regroup and start building my schedule for more shows starting in September through the end of the year.   I finished up the 3-day Kirkwood Town Fair late last night and spent today relaxing, napping and unloading the car. 

Last week I finally ordered a new commercial grade EZUP pop-up tent with walls (a must for me to shade the candles) with the money I made at the Broome Co Fair.  It didn't arrive until Friday morning, so I used a borrowed tent on Thursday.  We got the top canopy installed when it arrived, then folded it back up and packed it into the car to use Friday and Saturday. 

I arrived early to allow enough time to set it up at Kirkwood, but it was up in a flash.  I had some help stretching it out, but the rest was easy so I had plenty of time to spare.   I took my time attached the walls (love the Velcro!) and made sure the corner zippers were lined up ready to zip up for the night.  Then I spent the rest of the time setting up my tables and displays just so.  I'm still working on uncluttering my displays, but it's getting there.   

I proudly hung up the banner my daughter Nina designed.  I received a couple very nice comments on it and told customers it was designed by my talented daughter who's a graphic designer.  It feels so professional to have an identity with matching banner, business cards and website.   

So this is the entire display, tent and all.  I kept the side walls up for most of the show except during a sunny time and kept the back wall down because due tos a lot of foot traffic for the rides behind me.   

 

I was able to leave everything packed inside the tent on Friday night, so I didn't have to haul everything home and back like I did Thursday night.

 

So the weekend ended with some amazing fireworks that I watched while breaking down.

And I'm packed up and ready to load the car. 

Packed up

I now feel like a professional vendor! I can pick up and go to any show, rain or shine, indoors or out because I'm ready for anything now. I made lots of new friends and met old ones from Broome County Fair.

Lots of suggestions were given for fairs and craft shows in the area, and it looks like home parties are on the horizon because they're very popular around here. Not to mention fundraisers!  So watch out in the next couple months as I expand into these areas.

It was a good show and now it's time to regroup, rethink, schedule more shows for the holiday season and expand the candle business!  I not only had good sales, but a couple potential wedding orders.   It's always a pleasure educating customers about the benefits of soy candles, encouraging them to try them with samples I often give out and adding coupons with their purchase.  When I tell folks I'm local, I know they'll be back for more.   

The entire set-up

The Broome County Fair, Whitney Point NY

Well, I think I am finally recovered from the week-long Broome County Fair.  It was exhausting, yet exhilarating.  I have never done more than a 1-day show in the past, and I thought I would die once at a show that went until 8pm.   Well this one was from 10 am through 10 pm, so I prepared myself mentally as best I could, and it's wasn't as bad as I thought.  In fact, the days went by and when the week was over, I wondered where the time went. 

The fair started on July 27 at 5 pm, so we had all day to get set up.  I arrived about 10 am to drop off the first carload, went home, showered, packed more stuff and returned around 3pm to finish my set-up.  I didn't get my new banner until Tuesday, but I had it for the rest of the week.  I am so proud of the work my daughter Nina did designing my banner! 

The show ran for 12 hours every day and ended Sunday around 8pm.  During the weekdays, it was slow in the afternoons, but picked up during the dinner hour and througout the evenings.  I was lucky to meet some terrific vendors which made the time pass pleasantly.   In addition, I made significant inroads locally, educating the general public about the benefits of soy candles.  

My good friends!

Night-time set-up

After 6 long grueling days, it was finally time to pack up and say goodbye to all my new friends.  I don't know where the time went, because the week was over in a flash.  When I told customers I was new to the area, I received many leads for area shows and am planning to finally buy a show tent with walls so I can vend at many upcoming shows in the area.  I plan to return to the Broome County Fair next year and hope to see many of you there.  I also got a ton of names for my fledgling newsletter through the raffle and sign-up sheet.  

All packed and ready to go home

I can't believe I got it all in the car in 1 trip!

I ended the fair with some deep fried pickles and Oreos.  Yum! 

sickeningly good

See you at the next show!

I am finally finished making tins for the Broome Co Fair

Honestly, I have been working 12 hour days since supplies started rolling in on Wednesday.  I ordered 32 dozens 6 oz travel tins, my best sellers, and have about 6 dozen left for sell-outs.  Not that I'll have time to make anything during the week, but I'll try.  Maybe. 

I'm not eating well, but tonight I had a healthy meal, compliments of Shelly who has been helping label everything and take up all the slack.

I'm not sure how I'm going to survive a week-long show, but coffee and fattening food, along with interaction with the public will get me through.

I made a total of 307 travel tins since Wednesday, plus countless soy breakaway melts and sachets.  I plan to display my wedding candles for future orders and have a good time connecting with new local customers.  OK, so off to make more labels and continue with my to-do list.