The week of the show is always a busy one for me. This year was even more so with the addition of a photo shoot for an upcoming book by Jenny Doh that I'm contributing to. We spent Tuesday shooting in World Headquarters. Me, Ifong, and Alisa:
(That's Ifong shooting and Alisa styling a shot).
Wednesday was full of what seemed like 9,000 errands. Last minute supplies for the show, Costco, the party supply store, dropping off signs to the crew at the fairgrounds, and working out the details on some new signage with my sign maker, Bob, at Thinq Visual. He's been making signs for the show for many years now.
After a crazy day of errands, it was perfect that my last stop was at my friend, Barb's, who lives just down the hill from me. Living in the country is such a blessing in times like these. Even when I feel anxious, my surroundings calm me.
Thursday started bright and early with our oldest son, Cody, and me at the fairgrounds. This year, Cody was responsible for bringing my entrance vision to life.
Later, Hannah, the daughter of vendors and friends Lisa and Randy Souers, helped Cody with the installment. The display took two full days to complete.
While Cody worked on the installment, I readied the fairgrounds for the vendors coming in to set up the next day. I hire a crew to mark out the spaces on the floor throughout the buildings and then I come through and place each vendor's packet in each space. It's a surprisingly time consuming process.
Next, The Attic and LCD Expo rental company bring in various items needed for the show such as tables, chairs, tents, backdrops, and props. Lisa and Randy help me get things moved into The Farm Chicks booth and my friend Erin works all day getting Farm Chicks merchandise priced and ready to be displayed. I call an end to the day at 5pm so that I can get home and prepare for my family coming in for the show and so that I can have dinner with Colin and the boys.
Friday morning when Cody and I arrive at the fairgrounds at 8am, the place is hopping with vendors all anxious to get in and get going on their displays. I remember one floor marker for a vendor space that had woken me up in the middle of the night, knowing it needed to be changed, so I zoom over to Bay 1 to fix it, and then we're able to open the doors and get the set-up underway. It's always hard for me to accomplish much after the doors are opened because I want to stop and talk to everyone I see. It feels like a family reunion.
At noon, my friends at Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop came with a delivery of scrumptious cupcakes for the vendors.
Soon after, Colin called to tell me that he's arrived and he has my sister and mom and dad with him. I tell him I'm going to cry and sure enough, as soon as I see them I begin to weep. I hadn't seen my mom and dad in a really long time and they'd never been to the show. Having them there at that moment was sort of like an approval I'd always hoped to have. I always say that you can work hard and be successful, but unless you have your family, it really means nothing at all.
After I pulled myself together, we got on with finishing our set-up and all around us, the show and vendor spaces began to come to life.
This year was especially exciting to me as I was able to bring in a slew of wonderful new vendors after some unexpected cancellations. Most of them were new to selling their wares and had a refreshing excitement and optimism that was contagious. They were welcomed by my longtime established vendors and it was perfect. I work so hard at making sure each vendor is a good fit, and each time I bring a new one into the family, it feels a lot like bringing home a new baby and hoping the siblings accept them. Of course, it always works out because these are wonderful people. (Thank you, vendors! I love you!)
Hannah and Cody working on the entry display.
By 6pm, we were done and ready for the show to open the next day. My family and I went home and enjoyed enchilada casserole and fresh veggies and spent the evening catching up.
Saturday morning came in like a lion with wind and rain and what looked to be a very blustery day. Luckily, it finally cleared up and all was well. And the rest my dears, is best told by you....
Image by Katelyn Foutch, Kate Jennings Photography
Elaine Tolson (Vendor!)
Gather & Hunt (Vendor!)
Junebug Furniture & Design (Vendor!)
Junebug Furniture & Design - Part 2 (Vendor!)
Holly Joy in the Morning (Vendor!)
Forget Me Not Dreams - Part 1 (Vendor!)
Forget Me Not Dreams - Part 2 (Vendor!)
Heads Carolina/Tails California
Past Blessings (Vendor!)
Moments With Michele (Vendor!)
Re-stock Vintage (Vendor!)
Post Road Vintage (Vendor!)
Wanderlux (Vendor!)
Who did I miss? If you have a post you'd like to share, please email us your link and we'll add it here! ([email protected])
A don't forget: our show sponsor, Harry & David is offering a special discount to everyone throughout the month of June! Check it out!
Once you're ready to place your order online with Harry & David, type in promo code CHICKS when checking out.
When ordering from Harry & David by phone at 1-800-547-3033, ask for The Farm Chicks Blog 06-12 Show Discount.
* * * *
Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.
* * * *
I live in Virginia, but hope to make it to your show one day. It's on my Bucket List :)
Posted by: Lori H | June 07, 2012 at 04:07 AM
Wow!! I hope to make it to your Show at some point. I like the behind-the-scenes set-up that you've blogged about, most people that visit a Show have no idea about all the work that goes into it! Looking forward to seeing some photos posted of all the booths..
Posted by: Camille | June 07, 2012 at 04:38 AM
I love to see everyone's pictures! Thanks for posting the links!
Good times!
Posted by: Anna mandarino | June 07, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Oh, I am so sad I missed it this year!
Will be through Spokane later this year, though...
And, will make sure I can make it to next years show!!
Posted by: Stephany | June 07, 2012 at 07:29 AM
This was really fun to see all that went into setting up your show .... wow you are amazing, Serena, to have the entire show to put together, do a photo shoot on another project, and entertain family all at the same time!! Your show was so much fun, and the poster that I bought (and that you signed, thank you:) will be framed and hung in my craft room --- it will be the perfect fit :)
Posted by: Monica | June 07, 2012 at 08:27 AM
I'm with Monica (you're amazing, with all that you accomplished and the grace with which you did so) and Lori (Bucket List item to be accomplished with my little sister -- 2013 is our year!). Thanks for a fun view of the process. Can't wait to sit down with a cuppa and work my way through all those links you gave us! :)
Warmly,
Sara
Posted by: Studio-Sara | June 07, 2012 at 09:57 AM
This was mine and my friends 6th year coming to the show!!! We love it and wouldn't miss it!!! Thank you for such a great time and such great finds!!! Every year it seems that our car gets bigger!!! Thank you again and look forward to next year!!!!
Posted by: Dusty | June 07, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Thank you, Serena for another great show. Now it's your time to rela x and know that you bring joy into our lives with your show. You also brought tears to my eyes with your joy at seeing your parents there. Veery special!
thank you,
a loyal "farm chick"
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Duddy | June 07, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Thank you so much for sharing this. You are an amazing, inspiring woman Serena. I hope to make it to the show next year. I'm about 4 hrs. away in North Bend.
Posted by: Sharyl | June 07, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Cody rocked that opening display. I always look forward to seeing what greets me as we walk in the door. I was not disappointed..GREAT JOB!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | June 07, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Loved the show, and i had a feeling those were your parents sitting next to you at the book signing. They must be so very proud of you! Am sad I didn't come back on Sunday, but work and home was calling to me..and the wallet was screaming for mercy too :-)
Planning for next year has begun!
Posted by: stephanie | June 07, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Thank you so much for sharing my photos, Serena. It was such a lovely show!!
: )
Julie M.
Posted by: Julie M. | June 07, 2012 at 09:09 PM
Sweet Frostings is one of my absolute favorite places in Spokane! The show was wonderful. I wanted to thank you so much for posting my show re-cap link on your blog! I have had a hard time getting traffic through my new little blog and your link has made an incredible difference in just one day. Hope all is well and you are getting some much needed rest after what was such a busy week.
Posted by: Julia | June 07, 2012 at 09:35 PM
We made it to your wonderful show on Saturday! We loved it and we are planning our "strategy" for next year!
Posted by: CAROL | June 08, 2012 at 06:33 AM
Loved to read about the pre-show and your parents surprise, priceless! Ciao Rita
Posted by: rita | June 08, 2012 at 12:30 PM
I love behind the scenes stuff! Thanks for sharing. I waved at you when I walked by your book signing- even though I knew you wouldn't see me. :) even though i was there, I can't wait to visit all these links! ♥
Posted by: Holly | June 09, 2012 at 08:28 AM