October 6, 2010

Hodgepodge 2010: Day 2


For Day 2, my friend Tina came up to help me! She grew up on Signal too, so it was a fun little reunion. We gabbed all day long. It was so fun to catch up sans our kiddos. Not to mention, even though Saturday was way busier, I didn't sell a purse until the show was over! I sold a wreath and most of my card sets but no purses. So I'm grateful I had someone to talk with.

Tina also let me wander around the fair a little bit, which I didn't get to do Friday. There was a lot of great art and neat booths. My favorite was a booth featuring antiques and hand-soldered pendants. I'm kicking myself for not buying more stuff!


Sorry the pictures are horrible . . . the sun was super bright! Anyway, check out these fab antique Halloween decorations. I was drooling. I almost bought a box of cookie cutters but I don't have any space or use for them right now . . . : (

Another thing I'm kicking myself for not buying . . . vintage feed sacks! I was thinking about using them for lining my book purses with. The red and green one would've been great for a "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" purse I'm working on. I also love the yellow one with the pineapple print. There was also a red one printed with white bunnies and birds. Sigh.

I did allow myself to grab a handful of these . . . giant antique buttons! I got four for $7! Again, wishing I had bought more! Luckily, I grabbed the woman's email address so now I have an antique button connection.

I also got this hand-soldered pendant. I love to get jewelry since I cannot make it myself. I've tried and failed--miserably! Plus, I don't quite trust myself with anything hot enough to melt metal . . . my hands are covered in hot glue gun burns as it is.

Check out these neat-o charms I picked up at her booth . . . 3 for $5!

My new (old) buttons . . . you'll be seeing these on some of my purses very soon!

Well, folks, Hodgepodge is done. I laughed, I cried, I sweat. Here's what the critics (i.e., visitors to my booth) had to say:

"Clever idea!"

"So charming!"

"Who'd wear this around?"

Well, you can't please everyone. As you can see, I encountered lots of rude people (I'm right here! I can hear you, you know!) but many, many more kind people. I got endless compliments. So many, in fact, I'm thinking of making a sign next year that says, "Compliments are nice but I prefer cash."

I also was afforded a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have encountered otherwise. I was asked to do a demo at The Creative Discovery Museum, which I think will be lots of fun. I was also invited to join a miniaturist hobby club . . . I've always been fascinated by miniatures, so I'm excited to see what it takes to actually bring them to life.

Overall, it was a good experience and I plan on doing it again next year . . . for now, I'm beat!

2 comments:

Tina said...

That was so fun!!! Thanks for inviting me!

Oh and by the way everytime Brian sees your logo he always calls it "BilboBags" and he isn't trying to be funny either. He really thinks it says "BilboBags". Now you know why I married him. :)

charmedbydawn said...

You are amazing and I was truly honored to have you at Hodgepodge. Some folks have a hard time with genius and that is what you are. You keep going with your passion and it will all work out!