To Flea or Not to Flea ?

Soooo, I had this bright idea last week to gather up all of my older inventory and head on up to the flea market. It's been several years since my last stint and I figured that a little extra cash wouldn't hurt. Once I got all the merchandise loaded, I then had to cram in 2 tables and an EZ-up. Let me tell ya' folks, there's nothing EZ about putting it up. I can get the darned thing all stretched out fine, it's just snapping those upper corner brackets into place that make me crazy ! I also had to gather up bags, a notebook and a calculator...I'm mathematically challenged so don't judge. Get a good night's sleep because if you want a decent spot you'll have to get up before the rooster crows. I think I rolled out of bed around 7:30 am and after all the typical morning hub-bub of getting dressed, make up and coffee making ,it was time to go. Nowadays getting there early isn't a factor, it's trying to find a spot that's not already reserved...REALLY ? Half of those folks don't even show up , how fair is that ? After arriving,searching with bad eyes for an unclaimed spot, and finally setting up, all there was left to do was drink my coffee and wait... Wait for the candle lovers to come rushing my way, over-turning tables and pushing each other out of the way to get their favorite scents from their favorite candle lady and buying hundreds of dollars worth of beautiful hand crafted waxed goods...oh wait, that's just my fantasy ! But instead I waited and waited and waited and zzzzzzzzz.... The entire morning was filled with lookie loos,be backs and guys looking for tools. If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone tell me that "they have so many candles already and they don't know what to do with them", well I wouldn't have to ever do the flea market again...ever ! After 4 hours of fun and folly I decided to pack it up and head home. I didn't quite break the bank but I did manage to sell a few treasures and have a little something for the coin purse.This whole experience has proved to me that trade shows,consignment and wholesale accounts have completely spoiled me rotten.

Lazy Days of Summer ?

Whoever came up with that phrase obviously didn't own a home, let alone have much of a life . I guess if I didn't like to landscape they way I do by rescuing other folks trash from the landfills I could have some lazy days myself. But that's not going to happen anytime soon. I love my garden junk !!! Every spring I will lovingly drag out every issue of Country Living Gardener and peruse each page, making notes of what I would really love to do and what I can afford to do with my yard. Then after painstakingly crossing off all those "extras" , I have a somewhat manageable "to-do" list. I've been blessed with the ability to do a lot of "free-cycling" this year . Bricks and stone from my sister's farm, random places along country roads and huge stones & gravel from a lovely neighbor. This year I have finally tackled the yard directly in front of my porch. Once upon a time there was a large maple tree, green grass & lots of overgrown post-war shrubs, I suppose lovingly planted by the former owner & most likely war bride of her day. Fast forward to 1998...the poor tree was dead and barely clinging to life, but it's roots were costing us a fortune in drain cleaning service calls. I think the fairies who once lived there packed up and headed for better living quarters because my daughter could never seem to find them. Once the tree was removed (thank you AEP man) we were faced with another challenge...removal of the shrubs. If you have ever had to deal with these puppies, you know it ain't no picnic. So with the help of my husband,a neighbor,a large chain and a pickup truck they were swiftly dealt with. Yay a blank canvas..not quite, first I had to kill all of the grass. With the help of some super duper fast acting Roundup, the job was complete. You should've seen the look on people's faces when they passed by our home...Priceless ! After several years of small raised beds, yards and yards of mulch & weed fabric and an ever changing stage of cast away treasures from someone else's home I do believe I have finally created a garden setting worthy of a country magazine photo shoot,even if it's just a small one .

The Little Things

Yay ! We have found our future storefront right in the heart of the Arts District. It is a busy hub of activity there, not too mention a re-birth of downtown shopping as we once knew it..that is for those of us old enough to remember when all the stores were downtown B.M.(before malls). I've been on a sort of hiatus for the past few months (Obviously) kids have a sneaky way of keeping you extra busy,as well as the home that constantly needs attention. It's been nice, but now it's time to plot & plan for what's ahead. I am finally going to quit resisting and head out to some local flea and farmer's markets to unload some of this excess "Stuff" I've accumulated and or created over the past few years...besides, a little extra cash never hurt anyone ! Consignment & wholesale have spoiled me rotten. I won't lie , I've been on an emotional roller coaster for the past few weeks because I'm not sure of things ...should I continue my wax endeavors or just go get a "real" job ? maybe go to school and have endless amounts of homework for that "career" that I never had.I blame pre-menopause maybe even crafter's block .But every single time that my mind begins to run at warp speed, God steps in and shows me the way. I just got my July issue of Country Sampler magazine in the mail today, and one of my dearest customers,Diane Ward's home is featured. Well, imagine seeing something that you created with your own hands in living color on the page of a nationally recognized publication ? I feel like I've been given a breath of fresh air and it feels fabulous ! Now I want to create like mad and concoct some of the most amazing scents ever ! Thank you so much Diane and all of my customers that keep me keeping on when I want to just give up...this IS my real job and it IS my career, sometimes I just need a little reminder .