My Big Fat Local Indie Craft Sale
Not really mine–it belonged to all of us. It was spearheaded by Gabrielle and Vanessa. “Spearheaded”, what does that even mean?–they organized it and took responsibility for its promotion and success. It was called the T’winkle market and ran on Saturday, for the one day only, in this previously invisible huge space called the “Ambrosia event center”, just up from the NOodle Box on Fisgard. I swear, the building reared up out of the ground in the middle of the night to accomodate our show. I’d never noticed it before, but it had a grand piano in the foyer, a 6 stall women’s washroom with a magical mirror that made me look better than I ever have in my life (!) and no windows whatsoever. (but pretty good lighting). I don’t know how many vendors there were, I’d guess 25 or so, offering everything from beaded evening bags made of bras and mermaid dolls (“perfect for transgendered children” according to one customer) to belly dancing services, handmade clothing, jewellery and medieval looking bunny fur accessories.
I dropped off my stuff in front of the building and while I was carrying it inside a homeless guy walked off with my tall lime green asian style lamp. Fortunately a nice lady with a baby in a stroller saw him go and informed me. I ran down the block after him and got it back (he said “oh, I thought it was free”). An old Chinese guy who was standing on the sidewalk smoking watched me run by, looking inscrutable. Then as I was walking back with the lamp he got really animated. He said “I saw him go by with that lamp, and then I saw you running after him, and I thought Wow, that’s her lamp! And you got it back! That’s great! He shouldn’t get away with that!” like an instant replay reporter at a sports event and suddenly I felt like some kind of superhero. (my boots helped). We made each other’s day.
The whole day felt like a party, with a nice flow of awesome people, lots of familiar faces, and everyone was most generous with their money. I sold a bunch of my old stock clothing, which was great, and some of my new clothing prototypes, and got good feedback on fit and sizing (note to self–make more XL!)
So despite slashing my thumb with an xacto knife during setup, and pouring Limonata into my bag by accident, and the aforementioned citizen arrest, I had a really great day and made the rent! I want to thank everyone who came and supported me and the event, and of course all the other vendors for having such great energy and style, and Vanessa and Gabrielle for creating it.
Oh, and Vanessa gave me the shirt off her back (literally) because it is some sort of weird flat vintage German blouson top with giant cherries printed on it and I’m going to rip it off somehow. That was the icing on the cake.
So today I am spring cleaning my stockroom and studio, and getting ready to draft my patterns up to XL and make more clothing. Whee!
2 Responses to “My Big Fat Local Indie Craft Sale”
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Bonspiel Randomizer
April 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
You are a superhero! I love these stories!
April 21st, 2009 at 3:52 pm
If I am batman, you are my robin. (imagine the costumes)