Love this Show!
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As I filled my rack of colorful Sticky Notes, I had one with a dragonfly in the center. I'd forgotten all about it. It must have been a prototype I never went back to. It sold right away and friends of the woman who bought it came back later after they saw hers and wanted one too. They said they'd come back today so I made up 20 or so when I got home last night. Thankfully, I had a whole bunch of notepads in the right palate ready for embellishing. I also have a drawer full of dragonflies ready to go.
Steve broke my heart yesterday morning by forgetting about helping me load up the car. When I reminded him before he left for work yesterday, the sigh he let out was a bit too heavy and I lost my mind and told him to forget it, I'll do it myself, I don't need your help, blah, blah, blah. This is the second time he's done this. The first time I ignored his sigh and figured it was his own damn fault for forgetting and not managing his time better. This time, I lost it.
As I filled my rack of colorful Sticky Notes, I had one with a dragonfly in the center. I'd forgotten all about it. It must have been a prototype I never went back to. It sold right away and friends of the woman who bought it came back later after they saw hers and wanted one too. They said they'd come back today so I made up 20 or so when I got home last night. Thankfully, I had a whole bunch of notepads in the right palate ready for embellishing. I also have a drawer full of dragonflies ready to go.
Steve broke my heart yesterday morning by forgetting about helping me load up the car. When I reminded him before he left for work yesterday, the sigh he let out was a bit too heavy and I lost my mind and told him to forget it, I'll do it myself, I don't need your help, blah, blah, blah. This is the second time he's done this. The first time I ignored his sigh and figured it was his own damn fault for forgetting and not managing his time better. This time, I lost it.I had loaded the vehicle about 80% when Simon got up to go with me to the venue. He helped finish it up and naturally, it made me cry that someone was being nice to me and helping me. You know how that goes. I have been very excited about this show and working my butt off extra hard for weeks. This show in particular felt important to me because it's the kind of niche market I've been looking for. And it's 2-1/2 days long so it's a "big" show.
My friend Pam is helping me for a few hours today. She's a quilter so I knew she'd totally love the show. The moment I first walked into the venue yesterday, I wanted to call Pam on the phone, "You are gonna die!" I haven't been to a quilt show in a long time. I've been to Quilt National in Ohio twice, once with Mom & Gretchen and once with my ex-husband, before Simon was born so that tells you how many years ago it's been. That's a major show of mind blowing contemporary quilts. I've been to bunches of local quilt shows over the years too. Both of my grandmothers were quilters. Gretchen and I have quilted, back in the day. We're a family of quilters.
This venue is a college field house so it's huge. The center is filled with hanging quilts and the vendors are around the perimeter. They had opening ceremonies last night at 5:00 complete with a ribbon cutting. They announced awards.
Here's the unexpected treat I'm totally digging. These customers milling about, most of whom you have to figure are quilters - not only carry beautiful quilted tote bags and purses they've made but lots dress in colorful, artistic clothing! Even if it's not a quilted piece, lots of these women are into color. I'm loving the eye candy.
I did well enough in the 3 hours last night that I know this is going to be a successful show for me. I'm going to get there about an hour early today so I can look around. As I sat stitching and selling and schmoozing last night I kept thinking I have to make sure I get a blog entry posted so I can encourage any local readers to come to this show if they are into quilts at all. You won't regret it, I promise.
Most of the other vendors, from what I've seen and read in the program (where I have an ad) are specifically quilt related. (My set up is easy compared to lugging in bolts of fabric!) I knew being different could be really good or really not-so-good. But I know my stuff appeals to quilters, based on the designs and color and it's got thread! What's not to like?
The only thing I'm finding a little tricky is figuring out the food part. Food and drink is not allowed in the room, understandably. There's a concession stand with tables where we can eat. When Pam is there, it's not problem, I'll grab lunch. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do. They have "Helping Hands" booth sitters so I guess I'll take advantage of that service, but they don't make sales for us so I really don't want to be away from my booth for very long at a time. I have had a water bottle in my booth that I've been sneaking drinks from. Every time I sneak a drink, I feel like I'm an alcoholic glugging gin from a flask or something. (Maybe it's not as strict as that - they just post the rules so people are not walking around with burger and fries and touching the quilts.)
The weather is gorgeous, free parking is plentiful. There are classes offered, lectures and one can get a weekend pass ($15)or a day pass ($10). The show is worth that admission price, in my opinion. I'd pay it and I'm frugal! Today is going to be a long day, the show hours are 10:00-8:00 - but I can't wait to get back there.
My friend Pam is helping me for a few hours today. She's a quilter so I knew she'd totally love the show. The moment I first walked into the venue yesterday, I wanted to call Pam on the phone, "You are gonna die!" I haven't been to a quilt show in a long time. I've been to Quilt National in Ohio twice, once with Mom & Gretchen and once with my ex-husband, before Simon was born so that tells you how many years ago it's been. That's a major show of mind blowing contemporary quilts. I've been to bunches of local quilt shows over the years too. Both of my grandmothers were quilters. Gretchen and I have quilted, back in the day. We're a family of quilters.
This venue is a college field house so it's huge. The center is filled with hanging quilts and the vendors are around the perimeter. They had opening ceremonies last night at 5:00 complete with a ribbon cutting. They announced awards.
Here's the unexpected treat I'm totally digging. These customers milling about, most of whom you have to figure are quilters - not only carry beautiful quilted tote bags and purses they've made but lots dress in colorful, artistic clothing! Even if it's not a quilted piece, lots of these women are into color. I'm loving the eye candy.
I did well enough in the 3 hours last night that I know this is going to be a successful show for me. I'm going to get there about an hour early today so I can look around. As I sat stitching and selling and schmoozing last night I kept thinking I have to make sure I get a blog entry posted so I can encourage any local readers to come to this show if they are into quilts at all. You won't regret it, I promise.
Most of the other vendors, from what I've seen and read in the program (where I have an ad) are specifically quilt related. (My set up is easy compared to lugging in bolts of fabric!) I knew being different could be really good or really not-so-good. But I know my stuff appeals to quilters, based on the designs and color and it's got thread! What's not to like?
The only thing I'm finding a little tricky is figuring out the food part. Food and drink is not allowed in the room, understandably. There's a concession stand with tables where we can eat. When Pam is there, it's not problem, I'll grab lunch. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do. They have "Helping Hands" booth sitters so I guess I'll take advantage of that service, but they don't make sales for us so I really don't want to be away from my booth for very long at a time. I have had a water bottle in my booth that I've been sneaking drinks from. Every time I sneak a drink, I feel like I'm an alcoholic glugging gin from a flask or something. (Maybe it's not as strict as that - they just post the rules so people are not walking around with burger and fries and touching the quilts.)
The weather is gorgeous, free parking is plentiful. There are classes offered, lectures and one can get a weekend pass ($15)or a day pass ($10). The show is worth that admission price, in my opinion. I'd pay it and I'm frugal! Today is going to be a long day, the show hours are 10:00-8:00 - but I can't wait to get back there.
Friday, June 5, 5:00-8:00
Saturday, June 6, 10:00-8:00
Sunday, June 7, 10:00-5:00
Genesee Valley Quilt Club's Garden of Quilts
RIT Gordon Field House
One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5603
.Labels: Craft Shows
posted by Stefani at 6:57 AM
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3 Comments:
It sounds like a charmed weekend for sure - best success!
Re Steve... my words of wisdom would be to keep in mind that others just aren't going to get how important these things are to us... it's simply not on their radar. No doubt we don't always perceive what they think is most important either.
The show sounds wonderful!
I would think bottled water would be okay, especially if you are a vendor. It's just the people walking around that shouldn't have food & drink. What do they expect you to do all day without at least water to drink?!
Sounds great. Enjoy!
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