Our first Christmas Show of the Season was held third weekend of November at
Harbor Station in Saint John, New Brunswick...
This tent with the colored flags and John's steel tables is our booth...
We have been going to this particular show for 17 years... as I write this, I can't believe it... but I do remember our first show being very pregnant for Max who was born on Christmas Day... where has the time gone...
... the panel that is 1/2 hidden in the back of our booth, is called "Seeing All" ... it involves the Moon, the Sun, the Eye of Horus and Time ..
After 3 days of long hours and the weeks before preparing for it, our feet were so tired by Sunday night, I thought they were going to fall off...... but it was worth it ...
Thank you dear friends, customers and organizers.... Wonderful to see you!!!
30 comments:
and in two weeks, you get to do it all over again!
your booth looks great - love the tent idea, makes it easier for people to find you again.
Your stand was so beautifully set up and you had such a lot of work displayed. You must have worked like beavers to get so much ready.
Most impressive.
Yes gwen, the years are certainly getting their skates on, we have had the farm for 17 years as well.
Your stand looks great, and the whole place has such a festive vibe. I always much prefer this sort of place to the high street for Christmas shopping. I hope the season goes well for you!
Your iron and canvas look timeless standing there, and strong. I would head directly there - even not knowing it was you!
I hope you sold a lot. I wonder if you notice a big change in sales this year and last year.
Hope you sold well, it all looks lovely, the sort of place I would gravitate to at a show.
It is always nice to see your products. I really like Christmas shows, it just brings the atmosphere of the season smoothly.
I really like the look of what you're doing and how you go about it! I wish I could get over there. May you you have much fortune and happy times during this busy period.
Your booth looks great Gwen! I hope there were lots of big spenders. Now you deserve a rest!
So happy to hear you're coming to Fredericton. I will be sure to stop by and say Hi!!
Those shows are a lot of work, but I've heard that they're very much worth it for jewlers. Your booth is beautiful.
Your stand looks beautiful!
Your booth looks wonderful... blessings on your work, your hands and the Season for you.
Take good care of those feet, a hot soak, a good rub, and put them up. Take good care of them... trust me.
Hey there you Violetsky... yes we were the only ones there ready for rain..haha...
Arija, we keep having little bits and pieces of life in common... did we know each other in another life? I find myself knowing you better and better...
Thank you Mise, I have to admit I was tempted and I succumbed.. I found an excellent deal on a Turkish silk and cashmere, black and aqua paisley shawl/scarf with little twisted and knotted fringes... it feels so good up close around my neck and I decided I don't feel the least bit guilty as the most of the year I buy second hand everything... yeah..
Thank you, Ruth and I'd recognize you at once...
I have not noticed much difference in the sales the last couple years when we are selling directly to the public.. they seem to like to support the artisans and to buy handmade... This is awfully kind as I know they could probably buy things cheaper in the box stores.. Makes us feel very Thankful for their support !!!
Hi Penny, we were pleasantly surprised given the state of the economy that people were so sharing...
Guillaume, I bet you would loved the mini cheesecakes and the booths of mouth watering sweets and hand dipped chocolates... I did!!!
That is so kind of you Lizzie... We have to make hay while the sun shines...
I am excitedly waiting to see the jewelry you create ...I did get a bit of a peek of your glass-work... it is very imaginative, and Romantic... especially with the glowing of the candles...
Well Kathi I wouldn't say there were too many big spenders there.. but there were lots of folks willing to spend some... and it all evened out in the end...
Linda, Please do that, it would be a pleasure to see you in person... so far we aren't sure if 1 or both of us will be going.. we may have to draw straws... either way please say Hi!!
Shayla, there were a lot of jewelers there, not much pottery at all... a lot of new people with new ideas...some gorgeous photography from a girl from Grand Manan as well... and all the food was fantastic.
and the organizers son-in-law Sandy MacKay, the new executive director of ArtsLink NB was there...article ... http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/788441 ... but he usually is helping out and playing his bagpipes or violin or guitar etc......
this year seemed to be one of the best mixes I have seen in a long time..
Thank you Black and White!!! I thought of you when I saw a new artist in Saint John selling her own calender of her rather psychedelic fish and flower prints..
Oh You are so thoughtful to mention our hands, mansuetude... they look like very old weathered fisherman's hands left out to dry on the sand with the Dulce... what I would give for a soak in warm oil and oh so gently massaged... I will take your advise on feet... it takes one who has known the pain, to feel the pleasure when healing takes place...
It was good to see you foot bound for freedom in those clear rippling waves...
Hi Gwen, that all looks fabulous... sure wished I had been able to get there, but it's a long cold swim across the North Atlantic this time of year, and I missed the migrating whale who could have given me a lift... well, maybe next time... Was looking at your Picasa page, the designs are beautiful. May your holiday season be fruitful...
Ot looks as if you had a busy/fun time. I hope all your hard work paid off.
Great images of the show Gwen. Those hand crafted tables are pretty great as well.
Glad your sales made the set up worth while; it looks like it must be a mad house to get yourselves organized in the midst of 200 other exhibitors!
Wow! What a great looking stall.
I recommend peppermint foot lotion for tired feet.
Your booth looks wodnerful. I love the tables and prayer flags. Looks like a really fun show!
Hi Owen.. so no schools of fish for you to body surf over on??... too bad... I hope this busy season brings you joy also... thank you!!
It was fun, Valerie... and yes it was worth it... the good part is that we are within driving distance to be able to go home at night.. don't have to pay for accommodations...
Thanks so much Sheri! The lights made it rather difficult to get some really good shots.. I would have liked to have posted up-close shots of other artists booths but that seems to be a touchy issue... some may have liked it while others may not have...
Bill this location has lots of entrances all around the arena for easy access.. it is a breeze to get in and out...
I can't say that much for the huge 3 floor Trade and Convention Complex in Halifax, NS... only one entrance/exit.. it was murder there when we used to go...
yes Alina, most people seemed to be enjoying themselves and were happy.. good sign..
Thanks herhimnbryn, how did I ever forget about peppermint foot lotion ... my brother gave me some last year, I have to go and find it...
Jennifer , I never thought of them as prayer flags before but I guess in that case ... " we pray we make a living!!! haha...
This looks like an amazing Christmas fair.... I love the painting behind your husband and wish I was there to see your jewelry up close... happy thanksgiving to you... roxanne
Oooo... wonderful!
I love your booth Gwen! The table legs are awesome, very you!
Hope you had a great show.
Oh yes, we were glancing through a travel guide of Canada and came upon The Bay of Fundy. Noah shouts out "Hey, that's where Gwen lives!"
I was surprised he remembered... he does have a memory of an elephant though.
Have a great weekend;)
Hi Roxanne, I wish I had better shots inside.. strange lighting... or I should learn how to adjust my camera for it.. someday...
the painting behind John is actually 5 applique fabric panels, each 5 feet high... they were originally made to swivel around each other as the earth and moon around the sun but took up a tremendous amount of space...
Thanks Anet, You have done such a great job raising your Noah... I think he will be able to take on anything that life puts before him.. Please tell him I am so very happy he remembered my little piece of heaven...
Ohh I really wish I could have been there to feel the buzz and see your work. It looks very festive!
Looks like a great show and what an amazing booth. You must have worked overtime to fill it with so many pieces of your beautiful work!
Oh Robyn wouldn't that have been a great surprise to have seen you there...
Hi Seth, I'm still working away to refill all the empty places and a few more one-of pieces, right up to the the last gun...
What wonderful shots of your tent and work - so nice to have a corner booth. I wish I could have come by and bought some jewelry - I am waiting to see it in person to decide what I want. I hope all of the little sales added up for you.
How amazing to think that 17 years ago you were pregnant and doing your first jewelry show. I wonder all the time how time can go by so quickly, but why does the winter seem to drag?
your post brought back memories of when I used to do summer art fairs-- had 3 little boys and often long drives to the art fair out of state-- and my husband would set up the booth and tent while I watched the boys and then take them off for the day to the park, or beach or zoo (whatever was nearby)or just back to the hotel to the swimming pool--looks like you have the same teamwork. glad you had a good show.
I love craft fairs. They seem so few and far between these days. I remember there used to be a car boot sale at Tynemouth Station every Sunday. They called it a car boot, but really it was full of crafts folk, antique dealers and book sellers. A wonderful way to bimble away the cobwebs on a Sunday morn.
Hi Debbi .. I am quite happy the cold winter weather has held off for so long this year!!! I am also waiting for time to start rolling backwards .. that will happen one of these days, right???
Thank you Layers, We used to do many more shows each year and that made it pretty exhausting... Two are about right... I liked hearing how you handled your set up and sales... and with 3 young children too.. I understand completely!!!
Hi Jasmine, I wasn't familiar with the term "Boot sale", so I did a search...A-ha, selling from the trunk of yer car .. a favourite band of mine, "Tragically Hip" does a song, "Locked in the trunk of a car" has a bit of a different meaning tho... in case you are interested it is here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sizRTtCHBQQ
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