We are back home from our trip to Alabama, safe and sound from the Market on Chapel Hill.
It is a long trip, but it’s always worth it.
The worth isn’t in the profits made. (I told someone I would probably cry if I really took the time to figure out my hourly rate for all of the prep, shopping, etc. that is put into these events.) The worth is in the moments with people…readers, shoppers, fellow vendors, bloggers, the community who hosts this event with so much concern for detail.
So often, I’m in a bubble. At my computer, in my studio, in my house. I’m comfortable there. But when I step outside of that bubble, I almost always find encouragement. I feel challenged and inspired in new ways. Most times, there’s at least one conversation or hug or story that moves me to tears. A moment that emphasizes…this is why you’re here and why you do what you do.
Thanks to all who came. I know it’s a madhouse right in the beginning, but you were all so patient and gracious to one another and to us as we struggled to keep our checkout line from snaking out the door.
For those who are hoping to buy leftovers online, I do have some, but the wave of people that came through the booth right in the beginning stripped it clean of all but a couple of pieces of ironstone, the totes, stools, crates and other small stuff. The first things that sold were the rosemary topiaries I bought the day before the sale and planted in hand-painted pots! I never would’ve guessed.
And I ended up taking home both of my hand-painted empire dressers, which I never would’ve guessed, either! I would’ve bet money that someone would’ve snapped up the yellow dresser I painted in my “milk paint commercial“, but no one did.
Someone actually bought the Mora dresser, but it didn’t fit in her car, so she had to return it.
I would’ve been pretty bummed that they didn’t sell, but, just a day or two before I packed up the truck, I received an e-mail from a woman who wanted to buy both of them. I already had them earmarked for the sale, so I told her I would sell them to her if they didn’t sell in Alabama.
When we were packing them up at the end of the day, I smiled to myself. These dressers were just meant to be hers.
I just wished I realized that before we drove them to Alabama and back.
I do have some hemp sheets and some other things I’ll list in the online shop soon. I’ll also share pictures and info about the furniture pieces I have left.
Before I hit the hay for tonight, I wanted to share a couple of wooden toys we painted for the market.
My mom actually spotted this wooden airplane when we were at an antique store. It was raw wood and just begging to be painted. We used French Enamel and Mustard Seed Yellow MMS Milk Paint and finished it with a light distressing and Hemp Oil.
So sweet, isn’t it?
And I picked up this little turtle from another antique store. We painted it in Grain Sack, also distressed and finished with Hemp Oil.
The great thing about painting these with milk paint, finished with hemp oil, is that those products are all-natural, so it’s still safe for little kids to play with.
I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for more wooden toys. These two were snapped up very early by a mom of three kids. She said they’ll be well used.
Until next time…
I’ll bet your dad or Jeff could easily make those wooden toys. They are adorable.
I love that little wooden turtle! I had such a blast at the market and really enjoyed your milk paint class… especially since my hubby won your little giveaway! I never win anything but he is definitely good luck… I had a field day going through the spoils when we got home! Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us… even when he kept having questions about the glass glitter! He’s still not sure it won’t hurt people… he keeps saying “but it’s little shards of glass!” haha… silly man!
You two are such a sweet couple. I’m so glad he won the giveaway. Enjoy it! 🙂
Ha, the glass glitter is safe to use, although it’s definitely a “big girl” glitter. I wouldn’t use it with little kids. I’ve worked with it a lot and have only been stuck with a piece once or twice. Some people wear gloves when they work with it, but I haven’t found that to be necessary.
Thank you for taking the time to help me figure out what to do with my card catalog. I purchased ‘typewriter’, bonding agent, and hemp oil. The sides have some peeling veneer – do I need to pop off where it is loose? I would be ok with it looking jagged. If I sand the drawer fronts first, will the hemp oil darken the finish some? I would like it a bit darker – not much.
Trust me when I say that all of us lucky enough to attend market consider you and your team one of our blessings!
I love what you did with those old wooden toys!!
I’ve also recently purchased some of your glitter and I’m so excited to work with it.
Where is your online store? Didn’t know you had one? Thanks!
I really really wanted the farm table with the metal top. But I just could not afford it:( and I was going to get the yellow dresser, but you were very busy with the paint class that I was never able to catch you. And a lot of the pieces I actually went just to buy were already sold by time I got there. Oh well, it was fun anyways. I wish I could have gotten to talk to you!
I know that zinc-topped table was expensive. It didn’t come cheap to me, so I had to mark it up higher than I usually would have. So sorry I missed you!
Loved meeting you on Saturday! Was so proud of my daughter when she spotted the shipping crate under one if your dressers (I’m guessing that’s what it originally was) and said, “mama, I have to have this!” She’s 21, but starting off on the right foot! Thanks for making the trip! ❤️
A fellow Pennsylvanian
That’s right! Get them hooked on vintage young. 🙂 Actually, she bought a bread/bakery basket. The wood slats and woven metal make it so visually interesting. Both Kriste and I were just a little in love with it.
Well, we made the drive from Huntsville, AL leaving at 5:00 am, but all the white stoneware was gone by the time we arrived inside around 9:30 am. Yet, it was a good day. I at least got to see the blue & white horse in person, which was also already sold. Marion, aka, Miss Mustard Seed, is as gracious in person as she is on her blog. I was pretty excited to meet her, and she posed with a big smile for a photo with me. There were others also asking for and getting photos. Yes, it was a good day.
Judith
Yes, the ironstone was swept up in one big whoosh! I know next year that I need to bring even more.
What a fabulous event, so glad that you had a good time. Your booth was deja vu to all of us who follow your blog, like seeing a movie come to life right before you. Hope to be able to visit with you next year, it was quit a crush early in the day!
I love both of those dressers! If I had room in my van or a place to put them, I most certainly would have bought one. I am happy for the lady who ended up with them, though. I loved the market and as always, your booth was my favorite! Thank you for making the trip, as long as it is. The market just wouldn’t be the same if you were there! I’m just sad I missed the exit on my way there and lost time getting there right when it started because almost everything was gone within 20 minutes. Looking forward to hanging my ironstone plates, though!
Saturday was the most fun. Thanks for traveling south for all of us to enjoy. Kristi was helpful in choosing my paint supplies ( of course I left with Mora and it wasn’t even on my list)?. I especially enjoyed your class, and appreciated your answers to our questions . Bless you.
So true about the dressers needing to be with the lady who wanted them before the market. I am always amazed at how long certain pieces sit in my store…fabulous and well priced uniques. But when the new owner arrives to claim them with such joy, then I understand. Some things are just meant to be!
I am even more enamoured with your ability to plan your space beforehand. You set an all time record this year…what was it? 3 hours flat? We will pretend that the milk paint display helper saved you some time! Haha! Great to see you…and thanks for letting me help! Always a pleasure!
I wish I had been able to come this year. One observation I might make is that those Empire style pieces are not things we see a lot down here — maybe that’s the reason that they did not sell. I am glad you found a buyer for them because they are really pretty. I am still enjoying the two little French chairs I bought from you last year.
Love that little airplane! I look forward to checking out items you put on line.
Do you ‘refresh’ or restock your space after the initial rush is over? Might be nice to have additional ironstone pieces, e.g., ready for the later crowd. Don’t know the logistics/storage available. But speaking as one not wired to shop in a crowd, I’d appreciate being able to buy some of your finds at 9:30 or so.
I was there at 8:30 and there were at least 150 ahead of me in line. By the time I got in the door there were no pitchers left. I did buy a tureen that I like. It was so crowded I didn’t get to speak to you but thank you for making that long trip.There just needs to be a bigger space.
Wow!! That sounded like a pretty successful trip 🙂 Congrats and your booth looked great!
I guess it’s safe to say that blue & white horse was sold? *insert sad face*
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
It’s a toss up but I think I’d be thrilled to have the hemp oil. I’ve been using the milk paint but have yet to commit to finishing with hemp oil. I am dying to try it!