Monday morning and I’m still in awe of the beautiful displays, creative talent, and the goodhearted helpfulness of the vendors at this year’s Queen Bee French Flea Market. A year ago I attended as a shopper. It was the first year of the event that was sponsored by The Queen Bee Art Cottage and Courtyard Antiques of Olympia, Washington. I was smitten with everything I saw that day and longed to be a part of it all! When I saw a sign up sheet to participate in the next year’s market I thought, “Why not?” It couldn’t hurt to sign up for the information.
As the year went on I plugged away at my projects, blogging about them along the way. I pushed the thought of being a market vendor to the back of my mind because I didn’t know if I would really get to the point of being brave enough to actually do it. But months later, when I received my first email about the upcoming event I decided to go for it. I asked my beautiful and talented friend Linda if she’d be interested in sharing booth space with me (I’m SO thankful I did) and we got to work.
So last Saturday was the one-day market and it was a whirlwind experience! I love being creative. It is my release. To slip away to my garage and lovingly work on a piece of old furniture, bringing out new beauty, fills me with joy. The two weeks leading up to the market though were CRRR . . . AZY!!! Working night and day trying to finish my projects, attempting to figure out in my head how we would set things up, what props would be needed, how we would place them in our 12 x 12 space, what tools we’d need to bring along, the lighting, who was going to lift the heavy stuff for us, etc., etc., etc. For those of you who’ve done this before you know what I mean. More on how all of that worked out later. Let me take you in to The Queen Bee French Flea Market for a peek at the AMAZING shopping experience it was . . . just like walking into a Paris Market . . . (FYI, I kinda rushed through these pictures because I couldn’t leave my booth for very long, so I’m sorry for the less than stellar quality).
I can’t possibly show you every vendor so here are a few pictures of each of my market “neighbors”. Poppy & Co. has a wonderful storefront shop in Tacoma, Washington. This is only a peek of what you’ll find there.
If you’ve never been shopping in Snohomish, Washington you’ve gotta go! That’s where Faded Elegance is located. We’re talking a girl’s overnight there soon.
Forget Me Not is a local Olympia, Washington store and one of my favorite places to browse on a dreary Washington day. The warmth of their store is reflected in their booth at the market.
Next is Flippin’ Cute Stuff. This was Lisa’s first market experience also and she is hoping to begin selling in the retail market soon. I definitely think she’s ready, don’t you?
Her entire store was set up to look like you were walking into a bedroom. The “bed” was two tables covered in bedding. Everything she has created is so lovely.
One more local Olympia shop you’ll love is Tattered Treasures.
Last of all, here are some pictures of our booth. To be completely honest, during the set up on Friday I felt a bit overwhelmed by of the quality of merchandise I saw coming into this market. There were a lot of dealers with “real” stores and real experience. My workshop is my kitchen counter and almost everything in our shop was handmade. In spite of that I don’t think it turned out too badly.
My banner above . . . and some close ups of our shop’s wares below . . .
That’s Linda on the left and Moi on the right, all dressed up in our Frenchy finery so that we could haul boxes, lift heavy furniture, scuttle under tables with extension cords . . . and look pretty for the shoppers! I think my hair is sticking to my head with sweat here!
At the end of the day my body was exhausted but my spirit soared. It wasn’t because I made a pile of money, although we did do well, but because of the goodness of people who supported this dream of mine. During the months leading up to the market I had friends who would stop by just to see what I was working on and cheer me on. I had fellow bloggers sending encouraging words. The week before market two friends of mine (a husband and wife duo) offered a whole day out of their own very busy lives to help with anything I needed. You better bet I took them up on their offer while at the same time thinking, “Who does that?”
I’m a wife and a mom who has always served my family, I’ve run a daycare out of my home when my kids were small and then I worked in the health care field for years. I serve, but I’m not used to being served, and I must admit that it is a little hard for me to accept . . . but I’m learning. The day before the event I had friends texting me, one even offering to bring over a nutritious lunch! My husband had to work so he wasn’t available to help (oh, but he did help because he encouraged me all year long and provided the funds needed to fund this creativity of mine). Linda’s family (Rob, Josh & Autumn) really stepped up to the plate, loading trucks, hauling the heavy stuff, climbing up into precarious places to hang lighting, banners, etc. By the time our set up was complete I couldn’t even look at our booth anymore without being totally critical. That’s when my friend Deanna came to do some fine tuning. That’s what she does professionally and she is really good at it. During the event many friends came by to visit and show their support, even offering helping hands as they saw the need.
As I shared this story yesterday two people said to me, “That’s what family does.” But my family lives far away . . . and my husband works a job with long hours, and that isn’t at all flexible . . . so much of the time I really am on my own. So what family??? This is the family that God has put into my life. We all go to different churches but we hear the same message to encourage, serve and help others in need. Need? I’m not impoverished or ill. I didn’t really NEED to be involved in this market . . . but I really, really wanted to be. So was this really a need? I guess it appeared that way to my friends. It was a dream and they wanted to help me see my dream fulfilled. Even as I write this there are tears in my eyes. There are many lessons for me to ponder here. I know for certain that I am BLESSED.
So what’s next? Do I want to start doing the market circuit? Oh no, not me. We begin teaching Freedom Session again at the end of the month and that is the biggest priority in my life, as my husband and I get to be a part of seeing people’s lives renewed. Old Things New, is not just for furniture you know! So for now I will continue blogging, creating, and doing a show here and there as I’m able. I do hope I can be a part of The Queen Bee’s French Flea again next year. It was a blast!
Blessings to you my dear readers,
CarrieThisHome
VMG206, Hickory Trail, BeBetsy,TuesdaysAtOurHome, ADiamondInTheStuff
OneSharendipityPlace
Great Blog! It was so great to meet you and see your beautiful work!! You and I share the same story… working out of the kitchen and pouring ourselves into our work which overflows into our lives. Let’s stay in touch and keep the dream alive!! Keep me posted on any more event/shows coming up! I am not thinking too hard on it now after this first rush! But I want to stay in the loop!
I want everything!
I desperately need to find a flea market that isn’t incredibly over-priced. Here in Toronto everything is so expensive because antiquing is so popular. I’m a sucker for DIY though, so I want to find a place where I can find some good deals to put my own creative twist to.
Congratulations on persuing your dream! Lots of sacrifice, lots of work (blood, sweat & tears), lots of love from you and your friends to make it work. Loved the photos of your booth! I wish I had those cloches(sp)!
You and your friend Linda are both very talented. Thanks for sharing the photos of the other nearby booths. Warmly, Mary
This was a very inspirational story for people wavering about whether dreams are worth pursuing. Your displays were very appealing and I am glad you received the chance to make your dream a reality.
Thank you so much Donna. Blessings to you.
Oh my, tons of eye candy and inspiration. This is amazing. Love it. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Great photos of the Market! I wasn’t able to make it so it was great to see what all was there. I think your both looked fantastic and good for you for taking the step and putting yourself out there. It’s harder to put your stuff out and sit there all day as people comes through than to put it in a store. That’s why I dont do shows, lol. Really cheers to you for doing it!
Patti, terrific “stuff” and I’m loving all of it and I’m not supposed to. Why? Because I supposedly wanted never to have old stuff. My parents has a lot of them and even had a shop for a while when I was a child. And now, that table with the typewriter looks like a library table we inherited from my husband’s family. I’ll have to return for more looks soon. Thanks for sharing and I hope you visit me soon, too.
Helen
Everything looked amazing! I was so upset to miss this, but had a crazy day from start to finish! The pictures of your things were so beautiful! How did it go? Dying to talk with you and hear how it went in detail! Congratulations on pursuing and accomplishing a dream! Very empowering! Now see what God will do with it!
this looks like such a great show, thanks so much for sharing the photos with us!!
Wish I was there! What wonderful treasures! following you now with bloglovin and your facebook page!
OH MY EVERYTHING IS JUST GORGEOUS!!!!! I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO COME AND SHOP. I LOVE YOUR BLOG ALSO I WILL BE FOLLOWING. WHAT TALENT YOU HAVE!
Would loved to have shopped your booth. Everything looks so pretty and well displayed. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Patti, This looks like a fabulous market! Congrats on taking that step and realizing your dream.
xx,
Sherry
ps: Thanks for joining the Open House party
What a wonderful show, Patti!. You really don’t have to hide or be shy about your booth. You’ve had so many beautiful things for sale and must have had lots of happy customers. It’s wonderful that you got supported by so many of your friends.
Have a happy weekend!
Julia
Patti,
Where was this market held? I live very near Olympia and would have loved to attend but never heard a word about it. If they have it next year, will you let us know on your blog so I can attend. I guess I need to visit the stores in Olympia that you showed pics of cause I’m sure they had flyers there. I need to get in the loop more- I guess I am so busy with family that I rarely have a day to myself to spend in the great shops in Olympia- I will try to make that happen for Christmas shopping time.
Thanks for letting me know about all the great shops and markets going on right in my own backyard!!
Kim
It was held at the Schilter Family Farm down in the Nisqually valley. I hope you can come next year as it was really fabulous!
Great post, Patti! Your space looks fabulous! Yes I DO know all about the prep and setup for a show, and unless you’ve ever done it you can’t even imagine! But in the end it’s worth it. Hugs, Ann
Tarnished Royalty
New follower on Bloglovin’ from the Bouquet of Talent link-up at Life on Lakeshore Drive.
Wow. Unbelievably gorgeous! My brother has been talking about relocating from Utah to Washington. Maybe I could hit him up for help in making the 2000+ mile journey (from Kentucky) next year to see the show….um, I mean to visit him! ;O)
Haha! It would definitely be worth the trip to see the show . . . and your brother!
What a wonderful and fun time you had at the Queen Bee French Flea Market! Wish I could have attended. Wonderful photos this week – love your blog. (Sharon)
We have FEATURED the post as part of the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT No.23
Feel free to grab yourself a featured button or link to the post http://bebetsy.com/2013/09/23/brag-no23/. Our next party starts at midnight tonight.
Sharon and Denise ♥
Hello Patti, Oh, My Goodness! This looks amazing – I would have LOVED being there! I will be featuring your post in this week’s Home and Garden Thursday, I appreciate you sharing,
Kathy
It looks like you had a lot of fun at the flea market! You made a lot of great things. I hope you get some time to rest this week! Thanks for linking up to Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!
I LOVE what you have posted. You should come show off your creativity starting at 8PM CST at Craft Frenzy Friday! http://obsessiveandcreative.blogspot.com/2013/09/craft-frenzy-friday-6.html It won’t be a party without you!
Patti, this is such a fabulous post! I am seriously drooling over every pic!! You are featured at Pick of the Bunch this week. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week. 🙂
Just pinned and tweeted. Have a fabulous weekend.
HUGS
Kathy
I was so sad to miss the show. I hope I can come to see you at the next one!
I like looking through an article that can make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!