An Ending and a Beginning - New Adventures on the horizon!

     My son Jonathan and I have had a permanent shop at a monthly trade days now for almost 8 yrs.  It's called Winnie Trade Days in Winnie, Tx and was quite a show in it's hay-day.  I've actually talked about it in one of my previous posts -  Did you know I have a shop?!?! We change it around constantly, moving stuff from one side of the shop to the other.  Here's how it looked a few months ago:

     We've gone through many transformations and locations over the years.  From a small porch location to a full sized 'big' shop, over to a little one-room house and then to our current location, my sweet little 'half-shop'.  We've enjoyed most locations and always loved our 'neighbor vendors/friends' and the joy they brought to us.
     It is with some sadness and great excitement that I announce we are closing our sweet shop next weekend, April 8th - 10th.  It will be our last show at Winnie and we would like to invite everyone to come out, tell us good-bye and maybe find a discounted treasure or two!
    
     We are looking forward to many new, great adventures and we'll be sharing more about those soon---and remember, where there is an ending, there will also be a beginning!

God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, My Kitschy Closet
www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com
  

CRAZY Busy Schedule!!

Ok, so for those of you who don't really know me, the following schedule is normal for me:

                                               January 8-10-Winnie Trade Days (just passed this last weekend)
                                               January 16 - Winter Wonderland Fashion Show - (my grandson
                                                                                    Brayden is modeling in this one!)
                                               January 22-24 - Liberty Faux Real Trade Days
                                               January 29th - 30th - TENATIVE - holding an estate sale at my
                                                                                    mom's house

                                             February 5 - 7 - Winnie Trade Days
                                             February 20 - 21 - Antique Elegance Vintage Clothing Show-Dallas, TX

                                             March 3-5 - Gypsy Market, Spring, TX
                                             March 11-13 - Winnie Trade Days
                                             March 19 - Good Oil Days Festival (I actually run this one!)


There's actually more but I got tired just typing it all!!  These are all great events and if you're in the area or there-bout's please come check them out---here are the links to each event.

      Winnie Trade Days - www.larrysoldtimetradedays.com
      Winter Wonderland Fashion Show - www.humblecc.com
       Liberty Faux Real Trade Days - www.facebook.com/FauxRealDesignCo/
       Antique Elegance Vintage Clothing Show -http://antiqueelegance.info/
       Gypsy Market - www.gypsymarket.net
       Good Oil Days Festival - www.goodoildays.com

Lots of this stuff will be packed and taken to other shows--aagggghhhhhh!

Brayden's 'soulful' look--guest he's practicing for his modeling debut!!

As you can see, I've got a VERY full schedule over the next few months!!  But I do sooooo love going to shows and meeting new people--and hopefully making some money too!

Please be sure to check out all these great websites and come by and see me if you're in the neighborhood!  ;)

Until then,
God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, My Kitschy Closet
www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com




                                            


                                            

The up's and DOWN'S of being a vendor/seller!

     Wow!  What a difference a few days can make.  A few weeks ago I participated in a wonderful show called "The Gypsy Market" at the Klein Center in Spring, Tx.  It's a large event with hundred's of vendors.  I was selling my wonderful vintage clothing and accessories next to my booth buddy Trisha who sells many great items that she makes herself.

A sweet customer at the Gypsy Market

     It was pouring down rain almost the entire 3-days of the show and, even though this is an indoor show, rain is usually death to an event like this.  HOWEVER, this show not only flourished despite all the wetness going on but was full of great people who were buying, buying, BUYING!!  I did very well at that show. $$$$$$$

    On to the next weekend which was our usual monthly Winnie Trade Days show (see my previous post titled "Did you know I have a shop?")--it was horrible!  It rained for Friday and Saturday at this show and there was almost NO ONE shopping!  Sunday turned into a beautiful day with very cool temps and lots of sunshine---and the people came, HOWEVER they were just not buying!! We barely made rent.   $$$$$$

The very next weekend we had the Flea fest, a 2 day show in Lake Charles, Louisiana.   Talk about a BIG show!!  There had to be at least 10,000 people coming through and they were buying.  We didn't do as well as the Gypsy Market but it was good.  $$$  It's an outside show under a covered pavilion and only twice a year.  And look where we stayed:

L'auberge Casino, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Jonathan and I in front of their fabulous fountain

Jonathan learning how to gamble---NOT!

     Yes, we got to stay at a casino!  I've never been to one before and never gambled but I must say it was fun!!  My close friend and her husband took us to dinner and then the casino part of the hotel---I watched mostly while she played. 

     And so, the moral of this story is:  in this type of business it's usually 'feast or famine' and often nothing in between.  You leave some shows smiling and too many others wondering why you where there!  And why am I sharing all this with you?  Not to discourage you, but if you are thinking about breaking away from the 9 to 5 scene, be wise and be prepared!!  Plan, research and PRAY because you must have patience and tons of FAITH!!  Search your heart and again, PRAY--great things happen when you do!!

Ps 121:2 "My help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and earth."

Brayden at our shop--he works VERY hard there!





 

   And so, I leave you with a picture of my precious grandson Brayden resting in our shop (we sold that chair by the way!)

 

 

God Bless all and any who read this,

 

Pat, My Kitschy Closet

www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com