Notes from A Cottage Industry

Live and learn...and find REAL professionals to host your event.

(I'll warn you right now, this isn't my usual kind of post...oh, and there's not a picture to capture my feelings)
     This past weekend was a fabulous learning experience. I learned that we are on the right track with a lot of our ideas. Great products, creative vendors, and marketing every way we could on the shoestring budget we were tied to really pays off.
     I also learned from our mistakes. Always, always, go with your gut, like sticking with a single price for booth spaces to turning down a vendor that swears they have have wonderful vintage items and a knack for display, but were unable to produce photos to back the statement. Even more importantly, get everything, every thing, in writing. If you have a verbal agreement, things tend to somehow be...shall we say, forgotten?
     The Tumbleweed Cotillion was a success from virtually all accounts, except for the event location. Just let me say this; if you plan on having an event at this venue- a wedding, a party, whatever- be prepared to make your own parking signs for their property and provide your own trash receptacles. Then be prepared to haul off the trash afterwards (you know, your wedding guests' plastic cups and paper napkins and such...) because you'll be expected to. We were.
     Also, plan on having the property's owner parade in and out of the barn repeatedly during your party to get items from the closet conveniently (at least apparently for him) located in the middle of a vendor's booth space in the main room (hey, they wanted some ice cream from the fridge in there, and it's their place, right?) This was our experience.
     Take my advice people, and think twice before booking any event at this place (of course, hind site is 20/20 and I had no less than 3 people at the fair tell me they were surprised and a bit concerned when we first announced where the event would be held because they had heard of problems in the past...I wish I'd heard this sooner)
     An example? Here's a small but terribly aggravating story:  I was informed no one else could sell bath or body products because the owner sold them. OK, no problem. I see her point, sort of. (I personally welcome multiple vendors- I sell painted furniture and I am secure enough with my product to be thrilled to have other furniture vendors there too) We then bring on one of my favorite restaurants on board to sell food and drinks, only to have people complain to me that if you went upstairs to the deck outside the lavender shop, she had water for sale for next to nothing, undercutting the restaurant booth by a substantial amount and making the shoppers that bought water down stairs feel totally ripped off. The list goes on and on, but I am tired of even thinking about it.
     Yes, I know this is not my usual sort of happy post that I am far more comfortable doing, but darn it, the fact of the matter is that these folks caused us all (each and every vendor) to lose time and money due to some of these shenanigans and that makes me mad. It put a damper on things and it caused me to have to spend valuable time smoothing things over with vendors and shoppers alike, when I could have been working my booth and greeting guests. So unnecessary. As a Mom that helped with three weddings in one year, I'd never want to tangle with a business venue run this way on a day as important as a wedding.
     It's so sad to me when I come across someone so miserable themselves that they cannot seem to bear seeing anyone else happy or successful.

*sigh* And I though lavender was supposed to be so soothing.

Words to live by - week 74

I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.     Frank Lloyd Wright

Half way through

Oh. My. Ga.
Friday night exceeded all of our expectations. The crowd was fabulous. To say we stepped things up was an understatement. Amazing booths. Incredible vendors. Ginormous crowd of shoppers. Blog friends from across the country!
It was heaven.
I'll post more when I can....off to the Tumbleweed Cotillion for day number two!

Off to the Cotillion....

 
Here's the tiara Miss Deb will be sporting tonight at the Tumbleweed Cotillion. Is this not the cutest darned thing?! More pictures of the booths later today hopefully....

Down to the wire

     I'm nearly out of time. I have so many pieces still to price, errands to run and last minute touch ups still to do. (and get to work on time today for my grown up girl job....) I'm not complaining mind you, quite the opposite.
I am in a complete state of bliss (with a slight touch of anxiousness as I watch the clock! ) and I'm thinking of even more ideas as I approach the deadline for the Cotillion!

Getting ready for friends

    
 The guest room is ready and waiting. I spoke with my friends from reTreat last night. They're driving down from the Seattle area and should be arriving in Reno for the Tumbleweed Cotillion Wednesday in the early afternoon. They're going to be staying with me while they're in town and I am so looking forward to their visit!
If you're planning on attending the event you're gonna love Deb and Bob and all of their great stuff. So much talent!
     I'm still franticly running around like a crazy woman, getting things painted and sanded and priced. I guess I must like working under pressure, putting certain things off until the last minute, because this seems to be a pattern with me.

Hmmm,  I need to work on that.

A totally free mirrored tray

     Aaah, I love a good free item at a yard sale, don't you? A few weekends ago I snagged a free mirror and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Here it was before I painted it up. (Ignore the view of my toolbox in the reflection...) It's large, about four feet long and two feet wide. Perfectly sized for my dining room table, don'tcha think?

      Yesterday, when taking a quick break from painting Tumbleweed Cotillion merchandise, I painted this up. I still plan to add a fancy drawer pull on either end to use as tray handles and add a nice piece of felt to the backside of it, but even as it is now, I am pretty happy with it. (and for whatever reason, my Robin's egg blue candles look screamingly turquoise in these pictures, but they are actually a soft blue)
    The key is too always think outside the box when you're out thrifting and junking. The woman had the mirror in the Free pile because it was oxidized and the paint was all peeling on the frame.
     I think the weathered mirror only adds to the character of the piece, and gives it the vintage look I adore.

  
*sigh* Like I said - I just love a good freebie.

Words to live by - week 73

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust

Le petite sneak peek ...

 

     I'm working like a maniac getting ready for next Friday when the second Tumbleweed Cotillion opens at 5:00. So much still to do- painting and pricing and detail work. Oh, and we're having a nice little heat wave just to make things a bit more challenging.
     I am guessing half of what I planned to have in the fair will end up in my Antique Mall booth sometime in the next few weeks.

*sigh* I need two of me this weekend.

Works in progress

 
It's time for a Grand baby update!
Here's the newest look that my bulletin board in my office at my grown up job is sporting. (In case you can't tell...It's the ultrasound pictures of the two grand babies on the way.)

The 2008 Summer Garden Tour continues!

I am so inspired by the many ideas we saw yesterday! I am also anxious to see what we will discover today. Let's start right here at Kelly's garden, shall we? (Love the BLISS stone!)

Now, on to anotherKelli's garden and patio (with a pond!) And then on to Sue's patriotic garden!

Once we're done there, let's go on over to kris' wonderful outdoor space.

Then, let's go find Erin's home...and then on to Kay's yard.

 

Wow! now, on to Yvette's charming spot! Let's have an iced tea over at Debra's place. Then, we'll bee bop on over to Rhoda's yard! Oh! and we can't miss Sharon's spot, with her cute chairs!
When we get to Donna's you just won't believe all the blooms and butterflies and..oh, everything is lovely! Let's go see Claudia's place next....such nice rock work!

 

Ok, now we will head over and see Angie's wonderful stuff....wait till you see her trees.

 

Then we will run over to Sondra's . Now, this girl has got it going on, with all her creative planters and such!

We now arrive at Karen's place. Have you ever seen a more welcome sight?!

 

I don't really care if I did just have some sweet tea a few homes back. I need to sit a spell here! Then...
Let's go take a peek at Sherri's adorable garden areas as we approach the end of our little tour of gardens and outdoor spaces.

How cute is that? Oh, I love ivy! One last stop at Yvette's. Whew!

I think that wraps up the tour.( If by chance I missed your place, it might have been because I needed your blog link. If so, email me and I'll add you!)

Now, let's all get out there and enjoy the fabulous beauty right in our own back yards.....

Update! Deborah  and Inis and Tammy have joined the tour!

The 2008 Summer garden Tour begins now!!

It's here, it's here! The garden tour has finally arrived!

Well, here we are, in my cottage backyard. It's been in the low 90's here this week (yippie!!) and I am so beyond ready to be lounging around on the chaise, but none of that until after the Tumbleweed Cotillion. 

The pups love summertime too! I'll share more shots of my yard tomorrow (yes, the tour is that big!!!)...we'd better get moving!

How adorable is this typewriter over in Emilie's garden?! Let's pop on over there to see what else she has "growing" on.....

Next, on to Debbie's garden !

This is great! Let's see what's happening over here at Sue's place ...

And look what we have here at Kathi's home!

Then, we'll stop for some nice ice cold lemonade at Cindy's cozy outdoor space , which you just know is gonna be fabulous!

 

Steph's cottage is on the tour's next stop...let's see what she's got growing...Oh! Look! She's got a real creek!

Onward to Brenda's  place..and then let's go to Theresa's charming garden .

Janae's home is next on the tour... and then Rosie's sweet place. Oh, look at that!

Due to the overwhelming response for this tour, we will be continuing the tour tomorrow!! (There's oh, so much more to see!)

2008 Summer Garden tour count down

     That's a very old picture of a vignette I did in my old backyard up in the woods...how charming is that, to have an old farm table and mix matched chairs for dining alfresco on a balmy summer evening?

Feeling inspired? Well, wait until tomorrow, because....

It's almost here. The 2008 Summer Garden Tour, that is.

If you're participating, get your post about your outdoor living spaces ready. Tomorrow morning I'll share my outdoor spaces and link to all of you that sent me links (and I'll include the picture you sent me as well) and then we can all go, yard to yard, enjoying the view, and get inspired to add more charming touches to our outdoor spaces.

Oh, I can hardly wait!

Vintage market how to's in an online kit!

       They're the newest passion consuming our nation's women, I think. Vintage style markets. Petite faires, like the Tumbleweed Cotillion, right here in Reno, Nevada,  Flourishes, in the Portland, Oregon area, or La Maison Rustique in southern California. Huge events, like Round Top in Texas and the Farm Chicks in Spokane Washington. We just can't get enough of them.

      I've had so many requests and inquiries for how to coordinate a vintage faire, that I created a kit teaching all the ins and outs, from start to fabulous finish, and it's all available, (finally!) on my website, as of today. It's got all the information you'll need, with tips and trick and pictures too.

So...if you're thinking your community would enjoy attending one of these charming events, why can't you be one to plan and coordinate it?

Words to live by - week 72

All a woman needs

is a good bath.

                                                           - Hedy Lamarr

After the week I've had, I'd have to say that Hedy's right.
Sometimes, it's life's simple pleasures and blessings that put things all back into perspective.

Glory days

     I've got my Antique Mall booth all ready for the 4th of July. Little touches of red, white and blue everywhere you look.
   Here's my newest creation. Giant banners done on vintage book pages. They're $10 each and I did them in 2 words- Glory and Freedom. I also made mini banners that I'll share later!
Wish me luck, I off to a neighborhood yard sale....and I'll share my haul if I find anything worthwhile later today.

**edited to add** I have had several requests for the banners. Please email me if you'd like one. I would be happy to invoice you through PayPal. ($10 plus shipping per banner- GLORY or FREEDOM)

Booth thoughts and ideas...input and ideas wanted

  

    I spent Wednesday evening after work down at the Antique mall getting my booth revamped for this Friday night's official Grand opening. (for you local girls, it's Junkees Clothing Exchange and Antique Mall, located at 960 S. Virginia Street on the corner of Center and Virginia)
     The store actually opened June first, but that was what they call a "soft" opening, where they didn't advertise and they worked out all the kinks on the cash registers and such. Friday evening there will be champagne and appetizers. I'm going to go on over straight from work and stay for the rest of the evening.     
     All the posts I've been drooling over from the Farm Chicks event, and all the beautiful booth photos I've seen have got me thinking.Great pictures of fabulous booths, like here. And here. And here. I'd love your input on how to improve my booth display. OK, so here's the deal. At the mall, and at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion, my booth has no walls to speak of surrounding it. I have been pondering the idea of buying a canopy (gazebo?) and removing the canvas...to add dimension to my booth. It may make things more confined though, since most of my pieces are so large...**edited to add** My booth at the Cotillion is basically a 9 x 10 space in the CENTER of the barn, with no other booth around it, and no walls, if this helps clarify. I cannot really spill out past these perimeters too much at all..What's your take on this? Do the canopies at times make you feel claustrophobic, or is it a great addition to the feeling of being in a cozy little nest of charm?
    Then, I had the idea of using an umbrella frame, which wouldn't have the confining feel, but still give me the ability to display hanging items, or a fabulous round vintage table cloth...like she shared..and it's pretty and affordable (I found a wooden framed umbrella yesterday at a grocery store!) and portable, and easy for a one woman crew to set up...but is it a look that could work for me, or will it look silly?
     OK now. I've got two weeks till the Cotillion, and I want to decide this weekend. (Keep in mind, whatever I do can be used after the Cotillion in my booth at the Antique Mall) Please give me your thoughts, your ideas, your two cents. You know I value your opinion!

One woman's trash

...just very well may be another woman's treasure.
I got an email yesterday from the card designer. She wanted me to check my front porch when I got home because she had done some cleaning out of her crafty supplies, and she had some things she thought I might like, so she dropped them off at my cottage. What I didn't want, she said, I could pass on to someone else.
     I didn't get home until way late (working on my booth at the Antique Mall) but when I did, I raced to the front porch and grabbed the bag. I hurried into the kitchen and plunked it down on the table to see what treasures awaited me.

Oh my! Thrill of thrills, the bag was loaded with cutters and markers and stamps. It felt like Christmas. She'll never know how she made my week. (I swear last night I even dreamed about the rainbow assortment of markers she gave me!)

This morning when I got up for my work day, it occurred to me that we all have things..stuff, that we have accumulated over time,(that maybe we never should have purchased to begin with...)  that is not being used, or valued like it should be. And, what an absolutely lovely thing to do, to gather it up and surprise a friend that you know will appreciate it. It is a win-win situation then, with the receiver enjoying (and valuing) the gifts, and the giver clearing out some space (and clearing your own conscience for items purchased and not being used)

I think this weekend I'll take a little time to clean out some of my own crafty supplies and see just who I can surprise with some goodies.

Let's shed some light on the subject...

...in a really charming way, shall we?

       I adapted this idea from a picture I saw of treasures at Round Top in Texas on Carol's Blog. I just thought it was so cute that I had to try it for myself, and I'm so glad I did.
     I had 2 wonderful lamps that were thrifted (of course) a long while ago, and I had added some darling shaped shades (WalMart) to them. I played around last night with one of the lamps and I think the shade looks oh, so much more adorable with the ribbon embellishments, don't you?
     It's now now ready to take a trip down to the antique mall until the Tumbleweed Cotillion at the end of the month.

More cupcake baking

Another busy week (and it's only Tuesday!) I made a batch of bird's nest cupcakes (18 classic sized and one big boy for the birthday girl) and I must say, they just look so sweet. And yummy. I never get tired of making these cupcakes.

Never.

Ever.

Tumbleweed Update!

 
     Blogland is all a-buzz with chatter about this past weekend's Farm Chicks show in Spokane. Oh, how I wish I could have been there!! It sounds like it was absolutely incredible. You can see pictures of some of the booths and such on her blog. Oh, and on hers too. (She even shares a picture of one of the Tumbleweed Cotillion's vendors!) It inspires me so. It makes me want this next Tumbleweed Cotillion to be the most incredible thing the biggest little city has ever seen, charm wise.

Anyway.

I have mega big news for you (well, for me anyway) today, people!!  I spent all afternoon and most of the evening updating the Tumbleweed Cotillion website.(check out the bio's on the vendors!)  Did you know we're going to have delicious little lunches there this year? mmm hmmm. And wine and appetizers on Friday night? (oh! How very foo-foo-shee-shee!) And that we have vendors coming all the way from California and Washington?
     OK, that's big news, but the biggest news is...

While Adrienne was at the Farm Chicks event she made time to go search out the Country Living magazine folks (you know, the Farm Chicks write for Country Living magazine) and gave them our fabulous little foofified Press Kit. They asked her a lot of questions and...they gave her a card and asked for us to send them photos of our event!!!!!!

Can you tell I am walking on air today?!

Words to live by - week 71

Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.

                              Anne of Green Gables

---------------------------------------------------------

Can'tcha just tell these gals are kindred spirits? Oh ya, you just know they are.

     Adrienne, my friend and business partner in the Tumbleweed Cotillion is up at the Farm Chicks show right this very minute, up in Spokane.(oooh! How I wish I could have gone!)  She sent me a text last night and then, after some more frantic texting, we spoke on the phone.
     She shared with me about all the fabulous vendors that are there, (Deb, and Heather, and Bari and Tammy...and so many more) Then she told me how lots of people are excited about the upcoming Cotillion, and that people were asking all about me, telling her that they read my blog. (I tell you, I was genuinely surprised, and I was so touched I cried. Really.)

     See? That's where I was going with the kindred spirit thing.

Anyway.

     I want to thank you from the bottom of my toes for reading my blog, for posting your comments, for sharing ideas and thoughts and questions. I want to thank you for pouring out your hearts to me,and letting me pour mine out to you, for encouraging me, for..well, you know.

After all, we're kindred spirits.

A package in the mail!

    

     I love it when a package arrives. It doesn't matter if it's something I ordered or a sample of dryer sheets, I just get happy, you know? Well, today's mail brought an extra-special-oh-so-very-over-the-top-exciting package. I won Joanne's 50th birthday drawing and the prizes arrived today!
That's right people, pri-zes...plural.
While  love them all, I must admit I am particularly smitten with the vintage egg beater, with the adorable green wooden handle. So sweet. I can just imagine some woman, a woman just like me, beating up cupcake batter with this little gem at one point in time when kitchenaid mixers weren't around in every kitchen.

*sigh* Thank you so much Joanne.

Flutterby birthday cupcakes (it's a 2 post Friday)

     Last night I baked three flavors of cupcakes for various orders. These lil' cuties are for a birthday party. See the little candy butterflies? I hope the little girls at the party enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them!

High school graduation cupcakes

Oh yes. It's that time of year.
     Graduation cupcakes are kind of a challenge to me.You can't really tell in the picture, but the flags are a gray-silver color with blue printing, 'coz that's the school color combo.You know, you've got to try and get remotely close to the school colors, and yet, there is something so unnatural to me about a color such as royal blue frosting, that I am not sure I could eat one of these little guys.

*sigh* Next week I am doing some more for another high school graduation where the colors are red and blue.

The 2008 Summer Garden Tour is only 2 weeks away!

Just two weeks left until our 2008 Garden tour, and I don't want anyone left out! Right now it looks like we are going to have a very short tour, with just myself and Debbie and Emilie. If you haven't sent me your Blog link (and a photo if you like), please send it to me now ( [email protected] ) and I'll get you on the list, and add your link to this post right away.
     Now, here's a little peek at what's coming our way:
Debbie (here's a picture from her garden!) I must say, I have always adored those metal lawn chairs. I remember my Grandma had some just like them. 

And Emilie's garden (How cute is that?!) It makes me want to get another old typewriter for outside on the coffee table. Hmm.....

 Oh my gosh, I am feeling inspired to get out there now and start planting some more flowers! Thank goodness Saturday is only two days away!

not-quite-finished French chair

    I showed you this a couple of weeks back, remember? I wasn't sure at all as to what I was going to do with it. I just knew that I loved it. The nice lines, the carvings, and the small crack in one arm all made it feel very vintage to me.
      I don't know how to upholster, and I didn't see a way that the sewing queen could slipcover it. After much thought, I decided to throw caution to the wind and paint the sweet little thing, a'la' Elizabeth Maxim. Once it was painted, I knew it must be antiqued. I began antiquing it, but by then I was pretty tired (and it was nearly midnight) so I will have to finish it up tonight. I have no doubt that after a few more vintage touches it will be perfect.

Italian paperclips

     
    Just look at these beauties.
    Aaah, there's nothing quite like them. Exactly the kind of tiny detail that catches your eye, the difference between average and fabulous, really.(Really!)
     I first saw them when one of the vendors in the Tumbleweed Cotillion submitted their application and used one to hold her packet together. Wow. I loved the look. Did she make them, I wondered? I wanted some of these darling little miniature mattress spring looking things...so, I wrote and asked her. No, she had bought them, and she'd be happy to send me some and I could pay her when she gets up here for the faire. (She and her sister are coming up from San Francisco to sell some of the most wonerful candlesticks and such that they create from vintage chandeliers. So cool.)    
     The paperclips arrived yesterday and I. am. in. love. (I am quite sure of it.) I'll be using them Friday night as I finish up some Press kits and I know they will make the presentation.
Thanks Rebecca!

Weekend recap of my thrifty deals and my booth at the new Antique Mall

 
    Whew! busy weekend (I know. You're thinking I say that every weekend. Well, yes, I do. And it always seems to be.)
   The navigator was sick Saturday morning so I decided to run around the block real quick to just one sale right in my own neighborhood. Well, thank goodness I did. I was gone exactly 14 minutes, spent $7 and got a very nice haul, thankyouverymuch. (just you wait till you see what I am going to do with that long mirror!)
     Then, Saturday evening I looked on craigslist and found this dandy petite armoir that had just been listed. I spoke with the seller and she ended up offering to deliver the piece. (Talk about a fabulous deal! Remember, I was born with no sense of direction, and I don't have a nav system in my car to help me out.) Here's a little picture of all of my finds, except for one giant picnic basket that I forgot to set in the photo.... 
     I then spent the rest of the entire weekend (Um, ya. Both days. Pretty much all day long) making price tags, sorting, cleaning, painting and foofifying pieces of furniture and accessories, followed by dragging them down to the booth at the antique mall.
    It was worth it. The booth is shaping up. Even if I only stay in the booth for a couple of months it will have been worth it to get things organized and completed. I say this because I actually have no idea how my stuff will sell in this venue. I figure it's worth a shot.
     Here's a picture of my basic booth space. I also took a very small spot across the way to put some overflow items.

 I still must admit my favorite part was making all the little signs and what-not. I just love creating all those detail pieces; price tags, signs, mini-banners.

Later this week I'll show you my spin-around rack full of paper products for sale.


    

Words to live by - week 70

     Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer