All I can say is....WOW!

That's right, WOW! Market Day Black Friday just rocked! I knew it was going to be good, but it totally exceeded my expectations. Everything was great: the location and all the shoppers. There were TONS of people there, many of whom had never been to Market Day before. And there were lots of people there who I recognized from previous Market Days. It is so cool to recognize and even get to know your customers. I had repeat customers, which just makes me so happy! It also makes me feel really good when somebody likes something I've made enough to give it as a gift to someone they care about. And it was great to see people choosing unique handmade gifts instead of spending all their dollars at the big-box stores. Personally, I would rather get something handmade. Wouldn't you?

Now I'm down to just one more craft show for 2010 and I will be busy over the next two weeks replenishing my inventory for the HOLIDAY MARKET at Central Presbyterian on December 11 and 12. And I even managed to update my etsy shop last week and am going to try and add a few more things this week.

My other main activity from now until Christmas will be keeping the two-year-old boy and the nine-year-old cat from destroying the Christmas tree. I'm afraid this may prove to be more than one woman can handle alone.

My dream...

....is to work at home. All. By. Myself. Making Stuff. All. By. Myself. Well, okay, not completely. My cat Bob will be my studio assistant. But I think the husband and child will have to vacate the house so that I can work productively. This might be a little unrealistic, because there are not that many places where an energetic 2-year-old and his less-energetic father can hang out all day on a budget of zero. So we'll work on that.
In the meantime, I keep dreaming about that SOMEDAY when I the stuff I make will bring in enough income so that I can QUIT MY DAY JOB. That's the big dream. And I know it's a BIG one, but that little voice in the corner of my head (okay, one of the little voices in my head) tells me that if I work hard enough I can make it happen. And I have to keep believing the little voice!

If any of you would like to make a small contribution to my dream fund, come see me at Market Day's Black Friday Sale this Friday at the Pappajohn Center smack in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Buy local, buy handmade, buy to help people like me make our dreams come true! It makes a difference. And you get way cooler stuff for yourself or for those on your shopping list than you will EVER find at a mall, I guarantee it!

Happy Turkey Day, and see you on Friday!

Where to find me...

Well, once again it's been a month since I've updated this blog. Despite my best intentions I am still only an intermittent blogger at best. I'll keep trying!

Last weekend was a fun and busy one, what with Market Day on Saturday and then the final Sunday Bazaar on Sunday, of course. I don't think I'll quite know what to do with myself this Sunday, since for the last 8 I've been down on East 5th street selling my stuff.

My holiday show schedule is not as hectic as some; since I just did 10 shows in 8 weeks I figured I'd better cut back a bit so my family doesn't disown me. But I still have a few great shows on my calendar for November and December, and I encouage you to check them out. Shows like this are a great opportunity to buy local for your holiday shopping and get some gifts that are unique, handmade, and will really endear you to those on your shopping list.

So here's where I'll be in case you want to find me live and in person.

CRAFT SATURDAY: The 5th Annual Handmade Holiday show is THIS SATURDAY, NOV. 5, in downtown Des Moines at the 4th Street Theatre, right next door to Java Joe's. Hours are noon to 6. Lots of lovely items to choose from, and you can get a preview right here: www.craftsaturday.com. Just click on "vendors" to see who and what you will find.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE: This is Market Day's special day-after-Thanksgiving edition, and please note the NEW LOCATION: The Pappajohn Center downtown at 1200 Grand Avenue. Same hours as regular Market Days, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Shop local from over 60 vendors with art, handmade, and vintage items. This is a definitely a not-to-be-missed event!!

Central Presbyterian Church HOLIDAY MARKET: I've never done a church craft show before, so I figured, why not give it a whirl? This event will be at the church (duh!), which is located at 39th & Grand in Des Moines, on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and then on Sunday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. I think this is going to be a great show, hope you'll come check it out!

And in other big exciting Papercake news, my journals are now available at Green Grounds Cafe in Valley Junction! Stop in this fun and funky locally-owned, independent coffee shop and try some of their goodies.