The Garden Show

I was so glad we had good weather yesterday because I went to the Garden Show in Central Park.

Wow.

Great throngs of people were milling about the park. Admission was two bucks but I really didn't mind because the photo opportunities were great, not to mention another feast for the eyes and senses. I was just about to smell the blossoms on an orange tree when I noticed it was crawling with BEES. Good thing I noticed them!!

Hydrangeas are one of my favorites, so I must include this here:

Of course, I couldn't leave empty handed, so I picked up a sweet little African violet from this booth.

You can see more pix HERE. Best to click on "View as Slideshow"

First Booth of the Year 2/19

Tried to post this on 2/20 but ran into problems so here's my second attempt:

Saturday, 2/19 was the first booth of the year for me. I set up at the annual Montessori Cook-Off and had a great day. Here's my picture-heavy blog on the day

click twice on pix for close-ups--click 3x for super-close

My good helper, Michael, suggested we turn the banner to face the street since we had the prime location of being the first booth in line. Great idea! Our booth viewed from Centre St

As we were setting up our booth, a boy played his violin for tips across the street. We were very impressed with his flawless renditions of many classical and Celtic tunes so we added to his growing stash of loot.

My biggest sellers were stretchy bracelets made with lampwork glass beads and my pink ribbon items went well, too. This made me very happy because I make it a policy to donate 50 percent of pink ribbon proceeds to Susan Komen Foundation.

What I was not happy about was the way the cheap red plastic tablecloths looked under my lovely lace ones. The event staff had set up their ticket tables close by and when I asked them where they'd purchased their lovely floor-length red tablecloths, they said they'd rented them. Thankfully, I was able to find some nice ones online for a reasonable price so next time, my new red theme will look more professional.

I was also very disappointed that not one of my new clay pieces sold. These require a LOT of work! rolling out the clay, stenciling and cutting it, baking it, painting it (at least 3-4 coats, sometimes more!), adding embellishments (Swarovski flatbacks, etc) and adding either a ribbon for necklaces or earwires for earrings. I thought my prices were quite reasonable, considering all the labor involved. But either people thought they were too expensive or they just didn't like 'em. Bummer! Okay, I realize they're a bit primitive but hey, I'm just getting started in this new medium and as with any learning curve, it's going to take awhile to achieve any level of proficiency. Click on the picture for a close-up view -- I'd be interested in your feedback, please!

The wind proved to be a huge annoyance. My newly refurbished displays kept falling over - well the largest one, anyway. Note to self: Find a better way to anchor these babies! Michael came through again, slipping a bag of tiny decorative rocks into the homemade easel behind the display. I also moved the vase of silk roses behind it and safety pinned a couple of roses to the back of the display. It didn't tip over again but with the lace tablecloth removed from the sidewall due to the wind, my jerry-rigging was visible to all and sundry - not good!

Aside from that, it was a great day. Perfect weather, a good crowd and people were buying - not a lot but enough to at least make my booth rent, pay my helper, and have a tidy sum leftover.

My next booth isn't until April (I know I'll be jonesing in the meantime!!) and it's an inside event. Last year, I had my best day ever at that event so I'm really hoping to exceed that this time. I'll tell you all about it!

A Lovely Saturday

First I went to the beauty parlor (do they call it that anymore?!) and got a terrific haircut. The stylist really listened to me and helped me choose a hairstyle that was perfect for my hair. I purchased some product to help make it curl and some tea tree shampoo. Can't wait to use that - it smells delightful!

Next I went to the annual quilt show. Oh. My. Gawd! I am a complete nut about quilts and each year, this show is a total feast for my eyes and senses. When I went Friday, I took about 30 pix. On Saturday I took 25 more.

You can view my slideshow HERE

But I want to put just a couple of the quilts into this post because they're kind of special.

The first is called Pure Country and it was made by a guy named Stuart.

Stuart was severely injured in an automobile accident and now is disabled. He says quilting helps keep him sane. Although he can only work on his quilts for short periods of time before he has to go lie down, he says he, "lives, breathes, and dreams quilts." This particular one has 30 different quilting patterns which were all made using the designs from antique tin pie safes. Remember those? Neither do I but I know what they are! LOL

This one was a labor of love made by over 50 people for a guy named Bob. Once he retired, he took great delight in the fact that he no longer had to wear a uniform every day so instead, he took to wearing colorful Hawaiian shirts. His wife called upon her quilting friends and together, they pieced this birthday quilt for Bob. On the back of the quilt, the quilters all made shirt backs with their names embroidered on them and also birthday wishes for Bob. What a treasure!

Visit Robyn's Garden

Hello Blogger Friends:
First of all, let me apologize profusely for so shamefully neglecting this blog!

I've been a bit under the weather the past few months so some things were cast aside.

In mid-December, I had gall bladder surgery and while I'm still muddling through the last vestiges of discomfort, things appear to be leveling out somewhat and I'm going to try and make a concerted effort to be a bit more efficient in my posts.

That being said, I have some exciting news! But first, a bit of background: I first met my lovely friend Robyn when our tables were side by side at an arts + crafts fair on Amelia Island. Was it really only last year? It was Robyn's very first fair and she was a bit nervous.

Being the old veteran that I am (insert giggle here) I offered my support and praise for her beautiful Kansashi pins. Here she is making her very first sale.


Since then, Robyn and I have met up frequently at various arts + crafts fairs and I've come to cherish my friendship with this wonderful, compassionate lady. She's doing very well with her business and I'm so proud of how far she's come since that first timid effort.

But now for the great news! Robyn recently finished a terrific, adorable website called Robyn's Flowers. I'd like all of you to go visit so you can see her beautiful creations and read the heartwarming stories behind her designs.

Oh and P.S.
If any of my readers live near Fernandina Beach, you might want to go check out Robyn's designs at North Third Trading Company, 13 N. Third Street in Fernandina Beach. Her beautiful kansashi are selling like hotcakes!

Cyber Monday Sale

sorry I've been neglecting this blog -- busy, busy, busy.

But I'm having Half Price Madness Cyber Monday Sale at my Artfire Shop.

Unbelievable bargains from now till 6:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Come and get 'em!!

2010 Mandarin Craft Festival

Click Pix for closeup

Aside from having to make two 112 mile trips (56 mi each way) back and forth to Jacksonville, I'd say Mandarin was worth it.

I made back my booth rent, plus gas money = sold about $220 so that was pretty decent.

Michael and I drove down Friday after I got off work. I was pleased to learn that I had a complete 10 x 10 space but I'd only brought one table because I was led to believe that's all the space I was allotted.

We set that table up, put on the tablecloths, etc. and set out all the velvet busts. We put tablecloths over the big plastic tubs to signify our intention to utilize the full 10 x 10 space.

When we came in this morning I was quite dismayed to see that the people next to us - who had the equivalent of TWO booth spaces had situated their tables so that I couldn't set my space up the way I usually do with two long tables on either side and the short table in the back as my check out.

The lady on the other side was quite miffed about this situation and came to my defense.

"You know, that's not really fair. Now she hardly has enough room for people to come into her space," she told my two booth neighbor who appeared nonplussed.

Anywho - rather than spend the day in a huff, I just changed my booth configuration around and put the smaller table on the left so the two booth lady could have her lane. You can see in the picture how smushed everything looks. I hated that but whatchagonnado?

People had to be patient and wait until others finished browsing my space before they could come in but for the most part, it all worked out.

I was VERY glad that I had the ability to take credit cards because I had five charge sales and quite a few cash sales. Plus there were two ladies who are going to buy items from the website after I make them.

One is a breast cancer survivor who wanted earrings. There were a goodly number of survivors there today and I was able to sell some pink ribbon items to raise money for Susan Komen foundation. One lady told me how her sister had just had a double mastectomy, has no insurance, and the Susan Komen foundation had taken care of everything. Stories like that really warm my heart and reaffirm my continued support for this organization.

When the lady came around to ask how we had done, I said we had done well and would like to come back next year.

More pix are here

Late Post on Rock Shrimp Fest

So, Rock Shrimp 2010 is history. I made my booth rent + $5 so after I paid my helper, I really didn't even break even. SIGH

The no-see-ums were out in force as we were setting up and what's the one thing I forgot? Insect spray, of course. I did bring some bounce sheets, though so I tied one to the back of my necklace and that helped a little but those rotten little bast*rds deviled us the whole time we were setting up the tent and hung around most of the day. Down closer to the water, they're not as bad but we were nowhere near the river so they pestered us unmercifully.

There were a LOT of people after the parade but mostly lookers, unfortunately. One lady drove up from Fernandina Beach so that was nice. She bought my double strand black Swarovski bracelet.

It was hot, too, so that made it rather unpleasant. At least our booth had shade for pretty much the whole day because they put us beside a tree.

The booth next to me had those dichroic glass loops and ribbon necklaces for $5 but she was mostly selling purses. She had two booths and paid $85 for each. Whoa! but that's all she does. They did Jekyll Island 2 wks ago and said they didn't do too well their either.

We had a visit from a really pathetic little kitty. I felt so sorry for her! She was nothing but skin and bones, a dreadful looking matted, nasty, dirty coat and yet she had a flea collar on so she must've belonged to someone at some point. I'd only eaten half of my tuna rollup so I put it down for her and man, she scarfed it up. Heck, she even ate the tortilla! We also gave her some water out of the little plastic dish my apple salad came in and she took a good long drink. Bless her little heart! She stayed with us awhile then wandered into the booth next door but they kicked her out and she came back to us. After awhile she wandered off and we didn't see her again. Poor kitty.

After the cat left, I filled he bowl up again with water and was offering it to dogs as they came by with their tongues lolling out. Why the heck do people bring dogs to those events? *shakes head*

So even though I didn't make a lot of money, it was still okay. My helper is a very nice young man who kept me in good spirits all day with his funny comments and what not so it was fun.

Oct 15 is the big fair down in Jax that I paid $80 (the most I've ever paid) so I'm hoping that one will really pan out. I'm only going to have ONE table instead of two though so that kinda sucks. I won't have enough space to set out nearly the quantity of goods I like to make available.

Pix are HERE