Stitches West 2008 Friday

Its raining today but the energy is still up there. Instead of paying taxis to get around, I decided to experience San Jose/Santa Clara public transportation, and let me tell you, it was an experience. First, I had to walk to the train in the cold and rain, and if you can believe it, I was in such a hurry to get to Stitches West, I did not pack a scarf or hat, so I was freezing! However, I trekked on.

When I finally made it to the train, of course I got on the wrong train going in the opposite direction, so I had to get off and go back to where I started from, but all in all, it was a nice experience. San Jose is such an awesome town.

When I finally made onto the correct train going in the right direction, I was lucky enough to meet the most wonderful lady on the train who was on her way to the show as well. She mistakenly when to the San Jose Convention Center as opposed to the Santa Clara Convention center, so I wasn't the only one slightly challenged getting there. Unfortunately, she said she doesn't use the internet and isn't on Ravelry, but she is definitely in my thoughts. She had her tickets pre-purchased, her map in hand, her pop up bag on wheels and her list of must see booths. She was an absolute delight.

I got to see a couple of "family" members from the Harvest Festival Tour of shows that I do every year. Linda Sicard was there with her fabulous buttons, and way more than what she sells at the Harvest Festivals, she had 2 booth spaces and was very busy with them. Also, Damaris was there with her wonderful buttons and pins and such with her husband, she is also a mega talented jewelry designer who I adore.

Eveyone I bumped into asked where was my booth and my hand dyed yarns, and I had to tell them that I could not secure a space in time, but that everyone will definitely see me at Stitches Midwest 2008.

Since I didn't have any of my fabulous yarns there, I spent most of the day helping Dianne in her booth which had a nice steady flow of customers. Let me tell you, by the time I had to leave for my flight, I was exhausted. I didn't get to buy much at the show, but it was definitely a fun experience. I am glad I went as an attendee first, rather than as a vendor, but for Stitches Midwest, it will be business as usual and I can't wait.

Work Work Work

For those who don't know many, which is many, I own two businesses: an aromatherapy company and an online artisan supply company which sells yarns, fibers, jewelry making supplies, etc. Well I made the insane decision to combine the two companies and open up half of my warehouse as my store for customers to come and shop, and it is a tremendous amount of work.

The whole theme of the store is old world artisan, so therefore since I couldn't find unique shelving to display that them, I decided to build my own. I may be insane, and covered in splinters, however, I am really pleased with the outcome. I used 3/4" sheets of plywood that the guys at Home Depot cut for me, and went to work with my air nailers, Dewalt drill & self tapping screws. The design I went with is the traditional cube display, but instead of paying $300 per unit at Ikea, and risking it fall apart like other things I have purchased at Ikea, I paid $120 for enough materials to make 3 units. I also put my units on wheels so that they can be easily moved around for mopping the floors and incase something falls in back.

I topped each off with a dark walnut stain, and an amber shellac which gave to color a lot of warmth.I painted the walls a nice jute color, and added molding around the ceiling to give the room some old world character.

Since half of the inventory I manufacture & the other half I purchase for resale I am currently half stocked. My webhosting company of 12 years has officially gone out of business, so I am also having to rebuild all of my websites as well. Therefore my days and nights have been filled with nothing but work.