Thursday, October 7, 2010

I Wish You All Could Come.....

So  before  I  extend  my  invitation,  I  want  to  show  you  my  finished  work  in  progress from  my  last  post.    I  didn't  think  I  could  get  a  good  shot  taking  it  indoors,  but  I  did (except  a  little  blurry)--



I  found  this  piece  of  furniture  at  the  wholesale  show  in  Columbus  from  the  furniture  maker  that's  there (he's  from  Tennessee  actually)  His  furniture  is  made  of  pine,  and   the  table  surfaces  are  unfinished.  I  usually  paint  them,  but  in  the  interest  of  time (not  having  any),  I  decided  to  just  paint  the  design  on  and   then  seal  it  all.  I  am  so  glad  that  I  did--I  love  this  result!   This  is  fairly  large--it's  almost  4  feet  across  and  3  feet  tall.  I'm  hoping  that  it  will   find  a  home,  but  it's  usually  takes  a  while  for  these  larger  pieces  to  go.  That's  okay--it  can  stick  around  for  a  while.

So  back  to  what  I  was  saying  when  I  started  out--I  sure  do  wish  that  you  could  all  come  with  me  this  weekend  to  an  Old  Fashioned  Christmas  in  the  Woods.  This  is  my  favorite  show  of  the  year  by  far.  It's  the  sister  show  to  another  popular  show,  Shaker  Woods  that's  held  for  3  weekends  in  August.  The  people  who  run  the  summer  show  own  this  very  very  large  piece  of  land,  so  all  of  the  wooden  booths  that  were  built  by  the  exhibitors  stay  up  permanently.  So  sometime  in  the  90's  they  decided  to  start  Christmas  in  the  Woods,  and  now  it's  just  as  popular  as  the  summer  one.  All  of  us  Christmas  exhibitors  just  rent  the  booths  that  are  already  there,  and  in  keeping   with  the  tradition  of   the  original  show,  we  are  all  required  to  dress  in  colonial  attire.  This  actually  was  one  reason  why  I   never  considered  this  show--I  didn't  want  to  dress up,  but now  it's  my  favorite  part.  In  the morning  when  we're  all  waiting  for  the  show  to open, there's  no  sign  of  the  21st  century.  And  we're  all  socializing  with each  other--it's  SO  fun!!--and  I  know  the customers  love this  aspect  also.

So  tomorrow  very  early in the morning  I'm  leaving  to  go  clean  my  little  "house"  and  decorate  it  for  Christmas  (this  is  required  also).  These  shots  were  taken  last  year,  but   it's  still  the  same.  These  are  the  grounds  before  the  show  gets  going.

Notice  that  carved  tree  stump--well  they're  all over  the  grounds  done  by  a  local  artist,  and  they're  all  different.

This  is  just  a  tiny  fraction  of  all   the  booths--they're  all  different,  and  they're  spaciously  spread  out.  This  place  is  like  a  maze--the  first  couple  of  times  when  I  left  my  booth  when  I  first  started  doing  this  show,  I  seriously  got  lost and  almost  had  to  go  to  the  information  booth  to  find  mine  : )  They  even  have  a  chapel  there  and  Sunday  services  are  held  for  the  exhibitors  before  the  show  starts--


And  this  is  my  humble  little  home--


And  look  at this--I'm  actually  doing  some  house-cleaning!! 


At  this  point,  this  booth,  that's open  to  the  elements  all  year  long  is  cleaner  than  my  house  is  right  now!

And  I  did  want  to  show  you  this  one  booth--

I  took  this  photo,  because  this  is  the  first  time  I've seen  it  with  a  clear  path.  This  is  most  likely  the  busiest  booth  in  the  show.  The  lady  sells  her  handmade  primitive  Santas.  This  is  the  only  show  that  she  does--so  all  year  she  prepares  for  this  show,  and  it  pays  off.  Here's  a  shot  taken  during  the  show--
Not  one--but  two  lines  that  are  pretty  much  like  this  all  of  Saturday  and  most  of  Sunday!  She  does  have  family  and  friends  that  help  her  at  her  booth,  obviously.  Her  Santas  are  quality,  and  the  proof  is  from her  return  customers  year  after  to  year  who  collect  her  Santas.  Her  prices  range  from  $40  to  $200--okay so  these  lines  are  pretty  constant  for  both  weekends--I'll  let  you  do  the math!

And  the weather is  looking excellent--sunny  and  in  the  upper  70's.  We've  been  having so much  rain here  in the last week--we  have  a  very  large  puddle  in  our  backyard, and  we  found  a  very  small puddle  in  our  kitchen--a  leaky  roof  which  will need to be  replaced  at  least  in  this  area  of  the  house--not  cheap,  but  I'm  digressing--the  weather  is  looking  excellent.  Some  of  the  years  have  been  brutally  cold,  but  we're  allowed  to  use  kerosene  heaters,  which  helps  tremendously.

And  I'm  about  as  ready  to  leave  as  I  can  be--there's  a lot  more  to  the  set  up  than  normal.  Plus,  remember  the  buttons  I  found  in  my  last  post?  I've  already  started  to  put  them  to  use--

 And....one more  thing (I know  this  post  is  long,  but  I  need  a  little  distraction),  I  haven't  been  out  much  in  the  last  2  weeks,  but  I  can  still  get  a  little  taste  of  the  outdoors.  This  is  a bird feeder  that  we  have  on  our  front  porch.  You  fill  it  with  suet,  and  it  only  has  a  small opening  in  it--

 At  one  point,  I  counted  12  birds  on  the  railing  all  patiently  waiting  they're  turn.  Aren't  birds  cute?!


37 comments:

Theresa Plas said...

Best wishes at your show! Can't wait to see photos! The table and button project are WonderFUL!!!

Tina said...

I hope you have the best show ever!! I have been to Christmas in the Woods, but have been to Shaker Woods several times. My hubby has a collection of carved walking sticks with those faces on them just like the trees you pictured here. The table is so sweet. Enjoy!
T

Brigitte aka Scrappassie said...

Love the table you did with the paintings on the blank pine, looks great ! Good luck at the show, it just sounds like so much fun. Wish I were rich ... ;-) I would pop over for a visit LOL

I hate to cook! said...

Love your post about the Christmas in the Woods...looks adorable and I so wish I could go! I love your little house and I am sure you will do very well...let us know :) Does the "Santa" lady sell her work online at all? I wish you guys were closer!

Janine said...

It all sounds so wonderful Diane! Thanks for sharing the photos and wishing you the best at the show! Love your work on the table and the box! Can't wait to hear about it when you return!

Unknown said...

Oh, I would love to come to your show. It's looks like it's gonna be amazing. Do the customers ever dress up too? I would totally dress up. I love table, the turquoise heart is gorgeous! Good Luck!
♥Jenny

Janet Ghio said...

Have a great show Diane! I love your painted table.

Joji said...

OH Diane I love the table and the show location is awesome. I so miss that kind of atmosphere. Living in south florida does not cut it when you love the country. Enough whinning. Many blessing to you as you do your show I know it will be a success as your work is beautiful.

Emelie said...

This looks like the most fun, if I had a choice of this show, the Rockie Mts. the Pacific ocean, it owuld be going to this show as a looker not a seller. To go with a friend, but then be alone to wander for a while and meet the friend again, because it is hard at shows like this to keep track of others.

So fun to see the area you have,
and I will think about you and your great things to show and sell at this. I want you to do so well.
Your side table is just wonderful lovely. I am not gushing I am telling the truth.

Jeanne Nelson said...

What a fun show this will be. I can imagine all of your artful things filling it beautifully. Wishing you a very successful show ... and I hope that beautiful table will find a good home!

Artsy Life by Tracey Brooks said...

The table looks Beautiful and the show looks like fun.
I hope you sell out.

Terri Kahrs said...

First, I ADORE your table!!!! I'm sure it'll find a new home fairly soon!!! Wishing you the BEST of luck for a wonderful show! Have fun too!!!! Hugs, Terri xoxoxo

claire barone art said...

have a brilliant show such fun ... and i love the table its lovely, i also love painting furniture hugs xx

sharon said...

This show looks magical Diane! Best of luck and good wishes, but I know you won't have a problem, you work is gorgeous, especially your new piece...wow!
LOve your little bird friends too!

Unknown said...

Have the best show ever!! I love your completed piece!

Healing Woman said...

As I've said before, you always make me so homesick for the shows. I just know you will do well. Your box with buttons is really wonderful.

Marlene said...

That sounds like a very fun show, wish I was close enough to attend. Best of luck to you with your booth. The table is perfect I like the top left natural it really shows off the beautiful wood.

Lynn Cohen said...

How sweet that the birds wait in line just like the people do for those Santas!
I am sure your art will sell out at this show. It looks like people come expecting to spend money.
Wishing you all the best in sales and enjoyment of it all.
Wonderful place!

Anonymous said...

Diane, that table is awesome!
I love the tour you gave all of us. So interesting.. I wish you all the best in the world for your art shows.
And Christmas is the most special for all art work dont you think?
Thanks Diane for all of your dear visits to my blog.
Hugs, Darlene

kluless said...

That venue looks like so much FUN! We don't have anything like that around here. Just so neat that they are actually little structures and not just tents. I hope you will show us some pictures once you have your little house all set up. I can imagine is will be spectacular!

Buffy said...

I love that little church on the grounds. This sounds like such a fun and sucessfull show. Your table is gorgeous and love what you did with the buttons. Good luck at your show. Take pictures of your booth if you have time!If I lived closer,I would be there.

Jonny J Petros said...

Hi Diane, Your show looks like a lot of fun! I love your table beautiful work! and your box would make a perfect little sewing box! How neat you have your own little house to decorate for the show cant wait to see pictures Sincerely, Jonny

Say It In Color said...

Oh Diane, what a fabulous place!!!! Your booth has great colors for Christmas reds and greens and whites!!! I pray you have an awesome show!....and are blessed by the weather and people! LOVE, LOVE the sewing box or button box!!!....love the spool legs too!! ....and that table is great!!! Can't ait to hear all about it! the birds are relaxing to watch!!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW absolutly amazing is both table and button box, full of painted details it looks so lovely!
I wish you good luck for your show and thank you for sharing the photos.
Hugs Anja

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Much good luck to you on the show. I WISH I could do. It looks like so much fun. :) I hope you many sales (and that table is just amazing - it needs a good home!). Take care! Theresa

Betzie said...

Have a fun show Diane! WISH I could come for sure!!!!!!!! It looks like something I'd love without a doubt! I'm sure you'll find a home for your sweet table and all your creations! Hope you get to buy some things too!

Anonymous said...

Have a fantastic wonderful time! Love the table ♥♥♥ !

Rebeca Trevino said...

Chrismas in the Woods? What FUN! have ton's of chrismas fun! The table looks terrific. Congrats!

J C said...

This is going to be the most fun show ever! There is nothing like that here, only tents and same ol, same ol. I would love to see that lady's primitive santa. Maybe you can take a pic. Your table is beautiful. Yes, bigger things do seem to take longer to sell. I had large a mosaic mirror I made in a consignment shop for many months. I was about to remove it and it sold. Joy! Best of luck with your show. Still loving your amazing mixed media boxes.

Art by Darla Kay said...

This sounds like a wonderful show! Best of luck to you , have fun!

Lovey said...

Wow...this is going to be great! Enjoy yourself! Beautiful table Diane!

Dianne said...

Good luck! You'll do well...

MotorCityMystic said...

Man, your stuff is way cool. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I having so much fun doing Kelly's challenges.

Deb Harvey said...

Wishing you all the best! Your table is gorgeous...as all of your work is.

I would so love to be there!!! What a wonderful setting! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Melissa said...

Hey I was there (with Tracey!). It was so nice to meet you in person Diane and see your beautiful work up close! What a beautiful day it was. Hope you did well, there sure were a lot of people there today!
Smiles-
Melissa-
PS- I added you to my blog roll!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Not sure how I missed this post, but I wish I could come help you with it. You will be busy, busy, I'm sure. What am I saying? You are already packed and probably on your way back by now. I didn't realize how late it is. You took some fantastic photos from last year. Do we get to see you in period dress?

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