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Posts Tagged ‘craft show’

When The Craft Show Season Ends The Christmas Season Begins

Posted in Everyday, tagged , , , on December 2, 2013| 4 Comments »

Hello again.  It’s been a while since I’ve written on these pages.

As you may or may not know, the biggest thing that’s happened to me since I’ve been here last is…

I Wrote A Novel!

That’s right.  I successfully reached the NaNoWriMo goal of writing a 50,000-word story in thirty days.  Sounds impossible, doesn’t it?  The pressure was certainly on, and I had other things to do besides writing during November, but I did it.  I did it!  My story has a beginning, middle, and end as required by the challenge, but it’s far from finished.  Maybe during the cozy winter nights by the fire I can do some editing and rewriting, cutting and adding to the story; then who knows ~ it might just be worthy for other people to read.

Also significant, for me at least, was the last show of the craft show season for Auntie B’s Wax.  Holiday at the Depot in Taylors Falls, MN has been a one-day show in years past, but this year it went to two.  I was less than excited about the additional day, but it turned out to be one of the most fun shows I did all year.  Of course sales increased with the addition of another day of shoppers, but most fun of all was the bonding Husby and I did with the rest of the vendors.  It’s quite an intimate little show with only ten of us, so we had some extra time to get all caught up with each other.  We decided that if the show is two days again next year we’ll just have a big sleep-over in the Depot.  We’re not too sure the city officials would go for that idea though.

With a novel under my belt and the craft show season behind me I can concentrate on the Christmas season.  Husby and I cut a tree today so that’s ready to find a home in our rumpus room this week.

It just started to snow and Husby has a pot of chili simmering on the stove.  What a perfect evening.

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The Wineries

Posted in Craft Business, Events, tagged , , , , , on September 26, 2013| 5 Comments »

What’s going on out there?  I’ve been so into my own thing these last few weeks I’ve inadvertently cut myself off from the outside world.  Except not really.  I’ve been out to a couple of winery festivals which put me in contact with a very specific cross-section of society.  Those winos have their own little subculture going you know.  They’re my kind of people.

A couple of weeks ago I was at the first ever Dancing Dragonfly Winery Grape Stomp and Rib Fest.  There were ribs, there was stomping, and there was even some music along with the artisans selling their wares.

It was a blustery weekend; perfect for some nicely seasoned ribs, or a highly stacked pulled pork sandwich.

Some of the staff at Dancing Dragonfly took to the grapes and did a little stomping. The lady at the far end is one of the owners of the winery. I don’t think she expected the stomping experience to be so…invigorating.

A fun group of guys playing winey music.

Last weekend I was at the Chateau St. Croix for another wine festival.  This year they had lots more food than they’ve had in the past, as well as a very good selection of artisans to peruse while sipping a glass of vino.  Of course they had music.  Everything from a thirty-five-piece German oompa band to some low-down blues.

The Bavarian Musik Meisters presented me with a pin for being such a good sport. I participated in learning a couple of their dances and showed dozens of people how uncoordinated I really am.

Croix Daddy – getting better and better every year.

There’s a clear shot between my craft canopy and the wine tent at the Chateau, and Dave over there is always ready to pour me a nice glass of wine.  A nice glass.  As in big.  It’s good wine too.

No, that’s not me chatting it up with Dave, but it looks like he’s ready to give her a nice glass of wine too.

I’m still trying recuperate from all the activity. One person can take only so much fun, right?

There’s another show on the horizon. I’m heading to Deer River for some more fun at Ruttger’s Oktoberfest in a few weeks. There’s no rest for the wicked.

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Come See Me When You’re Old Enough

Posted in Craft Business, Nostalgia, tagged , , , , , on July 22, 2013| 4 Comments »

This past weekend I took my wares to the Cannon Falls Art & Wine Festival in Cannon Falls, Minnesota.  It was my second showing there, and I consider it one of the nicest venues I’ve been to.  Artists and representatives from local wineries are situated in a way that lets those attending the event meander gently through the park sipping wine and enjoying (and hopefully buying) the work of local artisans.

My magnets are always a good draw to my booth.  The pulp fiction magnets to be exact.  They’re colorful, they’re funny, and best of all they’re kind of naughty.  On my previous blog I wrote a little piece on the background of my attraction to pulp fiction cover art.

January 21, 2010

When we went to my Grandma’s house I was always intrigued with her True Story magazines.  My mom would never let me even look at the pile of them laying by Grandma’s chair because they were not something a child should see.  They were, okay I’ll just say it, smut.

Maybe it was those taboo magazines that gave me a fascination for trashy publications, or maybe there’s just some kind of naughty-girl archetype that lives in all of us.  And the best part about smut?  The pictures.

Auntie B is proud to present to you for the first time over the interlinks her version of  Pulp Fiction Artwork, magnet style.  These images-turned-magnet are the cover art of actual paperback novels.  The ones from which your mother would shield your eyes.  They gave good girls bad ideas.  They fed your alter ego. 

At the Wine & Art Festival there were two young girls, grade school age, looking at the pulp fiction magnets.  Their mother came along and one of the girls was giggling and said, “hey Mom, look at this!”  The mom stood in front of the magnets for a while and then quickly led her children away.  I gave her a little nod and she looked relieved that I understood.  She also looked like she wished she could linger for a while more for her own amusement.  It’s good to know there are still mothers that don’t want their kids looking at smut.

Shortly after that a woman was looking at the magnets and commented “I really want to get this one for my camper, but it’s kind of naughty.”  I told her “you totally should get it, it would be perfect.”  She bought it with a shy smile.

Sin on Wheels

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Stars In My Eyes

Posted in Craft Business, Events, tagged , , , , on June 21, 2013| 11 Comments »

There’s some busy excitement at the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters these days. I’ve been bustling around restocking inventory after a lucrative show last weekend ~ creating and packaging more product for the upcoming show next weekend. Husby and I are looking forward to this show because we get to make a five-day weekend of it in our beloved Door County.

That’s right, the Olde Ellison Bay Days is nearly upon us and I have lots to do to prepare. Not only do I have to get my wares ready, I also have to get myself ready because we’re expecting a very special guest at the festivities. When I received confirmation of my booth space at the craft show I was informed that the Grand Marshal of the Olde Ellison Bay Days parade will be none other than Mr. Tony Shalhoub!   (Miss Elizabeth Rose, maybe you want to rethink your plans for next weekend as I know you’ve been wanting to get in touch with Tony regarding your book.)

Tony Shalhoub in Big Night

I got a haircut this week and I’m going to do all of my ironing today so I’ll have something cute to wear, just in case Tony Shalhoub looks at me. I wouldn’t want to appear too scary or unkempt.

Tony Shalhoub in Wings

We know he’s going to be the Grand Marshal of the parade, but will he take part in the other festivities too? Like, maybe he’ll want to wander around the park and see what the artists have to offer. OMG, is it possible that Tony Shalhoub might come into my booth and actually sniff one of my candles?!

Tony Shalhoub in Men In Black

I think he’d be more inclined to look at my magnets. He’ll stand in front of the frame and read each one, slowly and deliberately, and genuinely laugh. How should I behave if he spends any amount of time at my booth? Should I gush and tell him how much I love his work, or him personally? Should I insist on taking his picture, or better yet having someone take a picture of me, Husby, and Tony by the booth banner? Should I just act nonchalant and pretend like he’s a regular customer? (If that’s the case he’d certainly get friendly service, but probably not be asked for a picture or autograph.) Then the biggest question is, if he wanted something from my booth should I make him pay for it or just give it to him with my star-struck compliments?

Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk in Monk

Then, because my magnets are so charming and funny and because my new haircut is so cute and my clothes are so neatly pressed he’ll strike up a conversation with me and Husby. He’ll find us refreshingly real and amusing, and will invite us to dine with him and his wife that evening.

Tony Shalhoub in Feed The Fish (filmed in Ellison Bay)

We’ll have cocktails on the balcony and watch the sun set over Green Bay and linger over a delightful meal of Lake Michigan white fish. Tony and his wife will be so happy to have met us we’ll all be BFFs.

*Snapping out of it*

OK, I realize none of that will probably happen, except that he might actually see me as I waive and scream at him from the side of the road as he processes down the street with the parade. It’s fun to imagine what could happen, though.

If you’re in the Ellison Bay area be sure to stop by the craft show in Ellison Bay Beach Park. You might just spot a star, even if it’s only me.

The handsome and talented Tony Shalhoub

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The Season’s In Full Swing

Posted in Events, tagged , , , on June 17, 2013| 14 Comments »

After the semi-disasterous first show of 2013 (Hopkins Mainstreet Days) Husby and I set up camp at the Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard.  I’m a little late in keeping  you up to date on the show, but then again I’m a little behind in everything I’m undertaking these days.  The Fete des Fleurs took place on June 8th and 9th and was much more enjoyable than the first show we did in Hopkins.  For one thing it didn’t rain the entire time.  For another thing a lot of people like to visit the Chateau.  Sunny Skies + People + Wine = Respectable Sales for Auntie B.

Prior to the sunny day on Saturday the St. Croix Falls area had been having a lot of rain and the ground was completely saturated.  It was pretty squishy, but the water didn’t penetrate my shoes or threaten any of my wares.

A beautiful patch of grass became pretty muddy after a little traffic. My tennies needed a good hosing down when I got home.

Strolling along with a glass of wine, perusing the offerings by local artisans ~ a lovely way to spend a day.

One of the things that brightened our day was the fact that Dave Ybarra of the North Side Dukes came to our canopy and gave us a complimentary CD for being such an enthusiastic audience.  It’s not hard, as the band is one of the things we like best about the Chateau’s festivals.

Husby and I aren’t the only ones who like the North Side Dukes. Combine some bluesy music with good friends and good wine and you’ve got yourself a good time.

There’s another Dave at the Chateau I’ve come to adore – Dave the wine/beer guy. He teases me with the bottles of Chateau wine and thinks I should start drinking earlier than I do. Hey Dave, I’ve got a business to run! I usually have a glass about an hour before closing time. Dave likes to give me a very generous glass of wine.  He’s nice that way.

Look! Tiny little hipsters! You just never know what you’ll see at the Chateau.

It was a really good Saturday, but Sunday came around with more rain.  Despite that some brave people came out with their umbrellas to visited the artisans and listen to the music.  Good times can happen rain or shine.  Luckily the sun came out by the time we had to pack up for the weekend.  Anyone who sets up a booth at an outdoor event knows it’s a challenge to set up or tear down in the rain. 

All in all it was a good weekend and I was honored to be a part of the Chateau St. Croix’s 2013 Fete des Fleurs.  If you missed the spring festival remember there’s another festival at the Chateau St. Croix in September.  Keep in touch with my Events page for updates.

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