It’s been a whirl-wind of a few days and I feel like I haven’t “talked” to you in forever! I wrote all of the posts you’ve been reading over the past few days before I left, so it feels like I’ve been totally neglecting my blog. I’m so glad I took that time to prepare those posts, though, because it was a packed trip and my internet access was fairly limited (I had to pay for wifi at the hotel, if you can believe that!)
I traveled up to Toronto to attend the Toronto Fall Home Show as a vendor and speaker. It was a bit out of my comfort zone, but my milk paint line is made in Toronto and I’ve never been there before! I also still get e-mails here and there asking if the paint is available in Canada. Of course it is! That’s where it’s made! So, that was a clear indicator that I needed to work on brand visibility there. I tend to think small as I’m pecking away at my computer or painting a piece, but I need to remind myself that my paints are sold around the globe and I need to start thinking a little bigger!
The Toronto Home Show was a great way to make my “Canadian debut” and we got a lot of great media attention. I was on the Canada AM morning show, showing how to make a “new antique” sign with milk paint and our antiquing wax. Here’s the clip, if you want to watch.
I also did a quick remote interview on CP24…
Those were two early mornings for me, but definitely worth it! The Home Show’s PR team got us some nice coverage in local and national newspapers and publications for us as well…
It was a little strange rounding a corner and seeing my face on a poster…
Yep. Still a dork.
When I wasn’t presenting on the main stage or doing the media stuff, I was in the booth as much as I could be. Here’s a look at how we set it up…
I brought the primitive hutch from my living room and a couple of chairs from my dining room. The walls and floors were all done in milk paint. Even the “chalk board” wall, which was surprising to most people! I hand chalked the logo when we arrived on Wednesday evening…
A couple of our retailers came early to help get the booth ready. Marti from The Bayou Bungalow and Laura from The Ironstone Nest painted all of those crates the day before the show. It was a lot of work, but ended up being a great way to display the colors and products. Those girls were hard workers. Laura’s handy hubby hung the posters of some of our famous milk paint pictures by Maria and myself.
The lighting was terrible, but you get the idea. It all came together so nicely…
It was a team effort that was pulled together by Homestead House, the maker and distributor of all of my products.
The booth was a great gathering place and I feel like it was really unique compared to the other 299 booths. It definitely had a vintage flair to it.
We were there for four full days and it was exhausting, but invigorating at the same time. I ended up coming down with a bad cold, so my voice dropped an octave, but fortunately it was after my interviews! I sounded pretty raspy by the last day, though, and I think it’s going to take me a few days to really recover.
On our way out of the city, I had a chance to tour the facility where the paint is made and distributed. That was so important to me, so I would have a visual of what happens behind the scenes.
I must say, it was a little surreal seeing rows and rows of my colors and products…
(As I was editing the photo above, I noticed the “sweet success” printed on the box. It just made me smile.)
And I toured the “mixing room” where the milk paint is actually mixed and bagged.
When they first started carrying my line, everything was mixed by hand! It is now double-mixed in a machine, so the ingredients are distributed more evenly.
The bags are still filled by hand, though, and I got to meet one of the young men who does that job. He was in the zone with his earbuds in when I asked to take some pictures of his hands at work.
It was such a pleasure to meet him…and it was pretty late on a Sunday night, so I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone. Apparently they have people working in shifts to keep up with all of your orders!
I did get to soak in the city a little bit as we walked one morning (longer than we anticipated) to get some breakfast.
…and we got to know Tim Horton pretty well…
We’re like this now. (Imagine me crossing my fingers.)
Our van did pass the 200,000 mark right at the Canadian/US border…
…and it got us back home safe and sound. We did have to make a fuel stop in a tiny town near Warsaw, New York that was like a time warp to another decade or something. A sweet man filled up my car for me and it was welcome, since we were desperately low and hadn’t seen a gas station since we left Canada (and gas was about $8.00/gallon there!)
Thanks so much to Jennylyn, the president of Homestead House, for pulling all of this together.
I am glad to be home, though. I missed my family and my studio, but we’re all back together again…
I’m going to get back in the studio tomorrow…
56 Responses
Dear Marion, I really enjoy your blog and the pictures of your beautiful work. Some days it has been the best part of my day! You are certainly not a “dork” !!! You are a blessing to frustrated artist-wanna-be’s like myself. Anyway, did I see copies of your new book-the look book, on the table at the booth in Toronto? I pre-ordered a copy some time ago and I’m wondering when it will be available. Thank you and God Bless !
Welcome home!:)
Marion, thanks for the full recap and your great pictures of the weekend event. It is just so cool to have the US-Canada connection happening between you-Miss Mustard Seed and Jennylyn-Homestead House Paints. You both do all your fans proud and have a great product and collaboration going. Thanks for all that you do to inspire us
and make the world a brighter place.
It was so nice to meet you Marian! I’m happy to hear you made it home safe and sound after such a whirl-wind weekend. Your last picture had me tearing up – I LOVE hugs from little boys in jammies!
so glad your trip went so well. we are enjoying the cheap gas still here in north carolina. gave me a little laugh about the 8.00 exaggeration. but we do pay a lot more than you guys. seeing the photos of where your paint is made was really neat. i tend to order right from homestead house as it is cheaper shipping wise right now.
Actually, I’m not exaggerating. I paid $7.88/gallon for gas where I filled up! I only put in 2 1/3 gallons, so I could wait to fill the tank in the US.
…and that’s $7.88 USD after the conversion.
but they are imperial gallons (or used to be) which are 5 quarts not 4. Still high at $6.30 but a teeny bit better!
Ha, no…I converted the liters into gallons and then CAD into US, so I think I was just at an expensive gas station!
It was wonderful to meet you on Sunday and I’m sure you were exhausted by the time you got home. I hope you come to “T.O” again – let me know and I’ll give you the scoop on all the good “veggie” restaurants!
So great to meet you! It was worth the hour drive!
Marian,
For your throat try Throat Coat tea. It is herbal and it soothes the throat naturally. I am glad you had a safe trip. I hope your Mother enjoyed it as well.
Blessings
It looks like you had a great trip! It must be so much fun to stand in an entire warehouse filled with your product. Did you twirl around shouting “It’s all mine!”? Probably not but that would have been so much fun! It must be like your dream of milk paint on steroids, seeing so much of it in one place! I’m rambling now so, I’ll just say congratulations! Must have been amazing.
I’m glad you had a great trip to Canada:) Great interview on Canada AM! I’m Canadian, and I know we pay much more than you for gas, but the price you quoted just seemed way too high. Don’t want to scare off the American visitors!
So I did some math. $7.88 US is about $8.72 Canadian. Not sure if you were quoting a Canadian gallon or an American one. Since we measure gas in liters, there are 4.55 litres in a Canadian gallon, and 3.78 litres in an American. Gas was about $1.28 a liter in Toronto, so that would be 1.28 x 4.55 = $5.82 Canadian for a Canadian gallon, or $5.25 US. If you are talking American gallons, that would be $1.28 x 3.78 which is $4.84 Canadian or $4.37 US.
Hope you visit Canada again:)
LOL…I am out of my depth, here! 🙂 You’re probably right. When I did the conversion from liter to gallon, it was using Google and I didn’t know there was a difference between an American liter and a Canadian one. So funny!
The stories and pictures are so exciting, but I have to say the last picture is my absolute favorite 🙂
I live in PEI & was thrilled to see you on Canada AM. Your paint line needed much more exposure here….I was in the paint section of our local Kent’s Hardware store the other day….and the clerks had never heard of Miss Mustard Seed or milk paint for that matter! But it didn’t surprise me…as I don’t think any of our hardware stores carry milk paints…but we do have reps here we can purchase from & an antique shop carries Miss Mustard Seed paint as well, thankfully!
Milk paint has been produced in Canada for a number of years & it is awesome you were able to put your name on the brand & be their main distributor & retailer. It must have been so rewarding to see the plant in action! Your hard work & dedication is amazing!
And the gas price…I was glad to see someone posted explaining our gas is sold in litres…not gallons…and gas here is $1.33/litre.
WOW,How exciting.you did wonderful on the TV.Iam so happy for you..Loved your outfits.Your booth looked like you.Iwould of loved to see the plant also.So interesting.Have a wonderful day.
WOW,How exciting.You did wonderful on the TV.I’m so happy for you..Loved your outfits.Your booth looked like you.I would of loved to see the plant also.So interesting.Have a wonderful day.
Glad you made it home safely and had a successful trip. I enjoyed helping you “hold down the fort.”
Let me know if I can help you out again!
I have to say that you looked great! Love your hair color and all the outfits you wore. You looked really put together and professional! I’m so happy for you and am enjoying you sharing your journey! 🙂
Your booth was ADORABLE! This may be a dumb question but what is the difference between the book and the look book? I’m hoping to order your book but on Amazon I only see one option. Just want to make sure there isn’t another one I need to get!!! Thanks in advance 🙂
Great job Miss Mustard Seed! You inspire so many of us out here in Blog Land:) Congrats on all your success!
So great meeting you at the Toronto Home Show. I got a lot out of your presentation as well. You are a real source of inspiration – keep up the great work and please come back to see us again in Toronto!
Gah! Wish I’d known about you coming to Toronto ahead of time and I would definitely have come out to see your booth. To bad, maybe another year.
Marion, I’m disappointed I missed you at the Toronto Home Show. I would have loved to drop by your booth but just got back from vacay. I love that you’ve posted these beautiful pics of the CNE, TimHortons..lol … and the great photo’s from Homestead House. Very interesting to see how they mix/package your amazing milk paint! Hope to see you/meet you in the future. ~Denise
I used to live in Toronto and the Toronto Home show is certainly a big venue. I’m so glad you went and got some more exposure to you and your wonderful Milk Paint. It looks like your were certainly busy. I will keep an eye out for you at Canada Am. I buy my coffee from Tim Hortons everyday! Glad your home safe and sound. 🙂
Oh my gosh Marian… can you even believe that whole warehouse filled with paint and supplies is all about you, created by you!!! Even the young man filling the milk paint into the bags having a job because of you! That must have felt crazy surreal. Wooow… What a powerful moment… and I loved the “Sweet Success” on the box. Geeesh it is all so cool.
You looked great too, and the whole set up looked amazing, really attractive and professional. It’s all pretty darn awesome and wonderful…
Cindy
Congratulations to you Marion! Glad you had a successful trip promoting your awesome product. Just bought both of your books and 5 bags of paint! Love the colors! Hoping to take a class from you in the future. Blessings!
I really enjoyed meeting you this weekend Marian. I’m glad you got home safe. It’s fun and exciting to go away, but so much better to get back home! You are a true artist and give us readers so much wonderful inspiration. I attended the workshop on Sunday and it was my first time painting with milk paint. I have only painted furniture with latex paint before. I thoroughly enjoyed painting with milk paint. So much more fun than using latex. And so much faster! And so much easier to clean up after. I love the look of painted furniture but don’t love the process of painting and cleaning up. Using your milk paint was a breeze. No worrying about brush marks. We painted an Ikea step stool and even with all its nooks and crannies were able to paint 3 coats plus the hemp oil coating to finish it off in 3 hours. No waiting 6 hours or more between coats. Amazing! It’s also the first time I’ve distressed and I’m really pleased with how the stool turned out. I hope you come back to Toronto again, maybe for the bigger spring home show? If you do come back, please let us know in your blog so your Toronto fans can plan to attend.
You’re rockin the home life/ work life balance! Love the cute homecoming hugs pic.
You are not a dork! I met you at your garage sale this summer (with my granddaughter – we’re from NJ) and you are even prettier in person than your photos, if that’s possible. I hope to see you around the Fairfield Pippenfest this Saturday. I can’t wait to take part in one of your workshops, because I want to buy and paint some old furniture soon. Hope you’re feeling better.
So happy for you Marian! You rocked Canada AM – like you’ve been doing TV forever! And your booth looked fabulous. Glad you got to meet the people who put it all together, too – it must have been so fulfilling. Great post.
I have read mostly all of your posts and seen all of your photos. However, today, it struck me that I found the one that is the most beautiful photo ever (and all of yours are incredible). It is the one at the end of this post – with you and your boys cradled and so excited to be together! That one did it for me! I’m in endless love with those boys!!!! You have got to be the mom of the year to have those boys act like that! Wow! So so beautiful!!!!!! Thank you for sharing that one!
Oh, you are so NOT a dork!! So excited for your success! Your booth looked so wonderful and true to your MMS look; all involved did a wonderful job in keeping up with you for this event! Love your haircut and cute outfits, and most of all your little adorable family! What a wonderful blessing for you all around!! Love all your inspiration here!! Get some well deserved rest now, ya’ hear!!
Marian, You were awesome on the morning show!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing the clip. It was strange hearing your actual voice. When I am reading your blog I hear your voice in my mind and It was surprising to me. It was something I did unconsciously. You have a great voice! Congrats on a great show and a safe trip there & home!
Well if you are a dork, that makes me a dedicated dork follower
I always enjoy your posts. The behind-the-scene business, photography and styling information that you openly share is so very helpful. It’s uncommon for a business owner to be so generous. It is a pleasure to visit your blog and see you accomplishing your goals with your hard work. You certainly chose the perfect name for your business! You are blessed, and are also a blessing to many!
As for being a “DORK” … so be it ; )
Delightful
Open
Refreshing
Kind-hearted
looks like a great trip!
GREAT post. Glad your trip was awesome. Behind the scenes pics, very cool. But lets face it, that last pic sealed it: oh. my. goodness. Only the most precious picture you have posted…maybe ever. Melted my heart. 🙂
Your success is a joy to witness!
Welcome back, Marian!
Sounds like you had a great time… And the booth looked wonderful! I bet it was nothing like the other booths at that show, and that’s good. 🙂
Marion, both you and your booth looked fantastic. The factory that makes your products was amazing. You have done a wonderful job. I want to be you when I grow up 😉
Marian,
I just wanted to again say thank you for the flow blue paint giveaway, which I was lucky enough to win last month. My paint package arrived yesterday and it was truly like Christmas in my house for me. I have loved the hemp oil so much that I definitely needed a new bottle to replenish my stock and have heard so many wonderful things about the quality of your paste wax, the creaminess, that I am going to wax a painted piece tonight with the fabulous new brush. I am so very excited to try the milk paint, and have not as of yet because I couldn’t spend the extra money to “experiment”. Now I can try it and I’m sure it will become a go-to paint for me. I remember picking up a book on furniture painting when I was in Williamsburg back in the 90’s, which talked about milk paint, vinegar paint and some others. I tried vinegar painting…really fun, but hadn’t tried the milk paint, even after all these years, until now. Believe me, I feel so blessed and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving your followers this opportunity, but mostly for your positive Christian example in each and every post, video, lesson and message. God has blessed you as you have lifted His name.
Blessings and Thanks, to you and yours,
Marian,
I just wanted to again say thank you for the flow blue paint giveaway, which I was lucky enough to win last month. My paint package arrived today and it was truly like Christmas in my house for me. I have loved the hemp oil so much that I definitely needed a new bottle to replenish my stock and have heard so many wonderful things about the quality of your paste wax, the creaminess, that I am going to wax a painted piece tonight with the fabulous new brush. I am so very excited to try the milk paint, and have not as of yet because I couldn’t spend the extra money to “experiment”. Now I can try it and I’m sure it will become a go-to paint for me. I remember picking up a book on furniture painting when I was in Williamsburg back in the 90’s, which talked about milk paint, vinegar paint and some others. I tried vinegar painting…really fun, but hadn’t tried the milk paint, even after all these years, until now. Believe me, I feel so blessed and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving your followers this opportunity, but mostly for your positive Christian example in each and every post, video, lesson and message. God has blessed you as you have lifted His name.
Blessings and Thanks, to you and yours,
I was surprised to hear that your paint is made in Canada. I assumed it was made in the USA.
You were super terrific on the Canada AM show!!!!
Thanks for the fun share. My favorite picture? You and your boys.
Being a Canadian it was a thrilled to see you on Canada AM (you did an awesome job BTW) and to see you on the magazine cover with the hilarious Rick Mercer (love him). Your booth looked beautiful. My husband helped man their booth last year and if he would’ve been attending again this year I would have definitely accompanied him to meet you (I’m out west). How cool to see the factory where it all happens. I hope you enjoyed your trip on Canadian soil!
WOW!!! You did great on Canada AM you looked so calm,I am such a huge fan keep up the good work you are an inperation to us all 🙂
You are truly a woman of grace! You are such an inspiration to me and I am so happy for the success you are achieving. My only wish is that you lived in Southern California 🙂 Thank you for always sharing and caring about all of us out here in blogland……
You’re Adorable! Well done….we knew you would do just fine…and you enjoyed yourself too 😉 Looking forward to stopping at your studio sometime.
Such a surreal and amazing moment, I’m sure! So cool to see the facility & so proud of you and for you, sweet friend. xo
Wonderful post, I wonder how often you pinch yourself? Thank-you for all your inspiration!!
So awesome. I love it. Can I just tell you that you are looking fantastic, and your current hair color looks fabulous!!
Looks like it was an amazing trip, and your very creative displays is so inspiring. Thanks for taking us along.
I’m still hoping that maybe I will get off the west coast one day and maybe get to your neck of the woods for one of your workshops. 😉
You look just like your beautiful self up there! And I agree-that booth looks just like you, too. I’m cheering big loud cheers for you! Sweet success indeed!!!