Ready or Not

Here it comes.

Here's the story of how I am about to become a Craft Show Vendor.

In early October I applied to be a vendor at our local outdoor produce/craft/plant etc. market, now in its 2nd year.  (It's the Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, www.sundaymorningmarket.com).  I received vendor approval but unfortunately they're full, so I was put on their Alternate List.  I thought that was the end of it, at least for the immediate future.  Well, about a week later I received a "vendor call" for a new market being run by the same management at a shopping area just north of here, in Wesley Chapel.  It's going to be held at a new shopping mall called Wiregrass (www.theshopsatwiregrass.com).  The term "shopping mall" is a little misleading here, because rather than being in an enclosed building, it's a spread out, open air type arrangement, with "nicer" mall stores like Williams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble and J. Jill.  It's kind of a "Main Street" type setup, quite pretty actually, and a nice change from what you usually see around here.    It's awfully soon for me to be doing something like this (my business just turned 4 months old on Sunday!) but this seemed like a great opportunity, so why not go for it?  This whole Quilting Violinist adventure has been about plowing through doors as they open; here's the next one!

So.  I am alternately giddy with excitement and queasy with terror.  People keep asking me if I'm ready.  I usually smile and say something noncommittal.  What I WANT to say is, "HOW THE #@!%^&*%$!!! SHOULD I KNOW IF I'M READY OR NOT.  I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE".

Well, I guess I will find out on Saturday if I'm ready or not.
What to bring?  Well, my whole Etsy shop, for one--quilts and placemat sets.  I've made 7 additional selvage bath mats with different color backs, and different block arrangements.  I think they're a great fit for what's being advertised as an "green, eco-friendly, handmade" sort of event.  I also have more of the selvage coaster sets, dressed up for the holidays with a gold g clef ornament hanging from the ribbon that ties them together.    

I also have a new tumbler block quilt in French Provincial colors.  That purpley-blue color really does get me all excited.  And you can just make out a little fancy stitching on the red border.  Think of it as a trip to the South of France without the TSA pat-down.




I've also made 6 of these selvage bibs.  Honestly, I think they are absolutely ADORABLE.  So we'll see if there's any interest in those.  These are just one size (quite small, probably 0-3 months) but if people seem interested in them I'll get some more patterns and offer them in different sizes in the future.


                                                                                  A few recycled cd-rom pincushions, with quilt blocks leftover from another project.

   18 selvage ornaments, like the ones for sale in my Etsy shop.  I'll sell these individually.  I have a delightfully tacky table-top size tinsel tree to display these.

My supply bin with what I HOPE everything I need:  clothespins, pens, receipt book,small wreath holder (for the selvage bibs), business cards and holder, an envelope with small bills for making change.  I'm even equipped to take credit cards (really, not such a big deal to set up, and I think it will greatly increase my sales).  Also bags of various sizes, hand wipes, the list goes on and on.  

 I'm going to use 2 42" tables for displays-- they're the kind that fold up small and have a handle for carrying, so they're easy to transport.  I'll use these 2 quilts from my own collection for table coverings.  I hope the bright colors will lure people over.  I also have a ladder for display.  

OK, now we're getting to the good stuff.    

My own banner, to hang at the back of the tent.  I don't know why, but I found getting this terribly exciting.  I had it made a little bit smaller, 2'x3'.  For some irrational reason, it felt to me like a company with one employee should have a smaller banner.  Well, a smaller banner will also fit nicely on the front of one of my tables should I ever do an indoor show.

  I saved the best for last.  If you're going to do a craft show, you need a craft apron.  If I'm going to do a craft show, I need an AWESOME craft apron.  While I probably could have produced something myself, I felt that this was best left in the hands of a Trained Apron Professional.  So I had the fabulous (if curiously named) Mrs. Chainsaw@Etsy sew me this little masterpiece.  It was love at first sight.  Note the bright red zipper pocket on the left for holding money and credit card receipts.  The little key fob on the upper right.  You can't really see in this picture, but there are several additional pockets for receipt book, cell phone, etc.  One friend has commented that if you have the right apron, everything else should fall into place.  I hope she's right!