On Saturday I went to a great rummage sale at the Village Church in Wellesley which is right down the street from our house. I picked up a vintage apron, two great cloth napkins (the ladies who work at these things always look at me funny when I don’t want to buy the whole set of napkins, I only want one), and a huge huge load of super duper vintage fabric. Clearly an elderly lady had donated her entire fabric collection. And she was really organized. It was so interesting to go through her boxes – not only were there fabric and patterns, but clippings of images that were clearly things that inspired her – trains, colonial-style man and wife drawings, birds – all grouped together so neatly.
Another shopper actually beat me to the punch with the fabric and she hauled off several big boxes full of cotton prints, but I went through what she didn’t want (she and I had rather different tastes) and ended up nearly doubling my fabric stash and I grabbed lots of the clippings, too, for collages. A great way to spend a Saturday morning and all for $3.45.
Thank you for all your words of encouragement about the Mother’s Forum Marketplace. I’m not so sure it was the right venue for me. Lots of Christmas shoppers and I just can’t bring myself to craft for Christmas. I tend to find the whole Christmas season rather oppressive. And it seems that not many of the booths were selling hand-crafted items. Lots of cosmetics and companies offering monogramming. And topiaries. Here is a picture of my table. You can see topiary-lady’s table in the background.
I did sell a bunch of toys and it was interesting to see people pick up and interact with my work in person. I made some good connections with shops that are interested in selling my stuff so that was good.
I had donated this doll for the raffle and everyone loved it. People kept coming by asking if I had any more dolls like her for sale, but I didn’t. There were certain things about that pattern that I didn’t like – her neck, for one, and the shape of her dress. So I altered the pattern a bit and dove right into my vintage fabric finds from the weekend and made this new doll.
As she was coming together she started to look like Goldilocks to me. I am hoping to do a little Golidlocks and the Three Bears tableau as part of my show in March and I think she might be my Goldilocks.
Here is a close-up of her shoes
And finally (whew, this is a long post!) I just want to say congratulations to my stellar sister, Rachel, who just passed the bar exam. My little sister, an Esquire. I’m so proud of her.
goldie looks lovely, i like the dress a lot. i have done a few shows and i like the ones best when the people at the show make the items they are selling. hope it was worth your time and it is good that you met some contacts… that is always nice.
Look at how wonderful your table looks. I would squeal if I ever came across something like that at a craft fair here.
$3.45 to double your fabric stash? I’m speechless. Would love to see some of your finds.
Goldielocks is so sweet! I really love how you did her pigtails.
Your table looks amazing! You have a really nice variety of toys. I got to see your dolls at Schmancy a couple of weeks ago, and they were so soft and sweet. Really lovely work.
I’m so glad the craft fair went well and I’m sure you did sell quite a few toys. I LOVE those shoes on the little girl!
Oh I forgot to say that I’m soooooooo jealous about the fabric stash enlarging for just under $4. I sure hope some day soon I get the chance for just one great find of a box like that.
Sounds like a great deal on the rummage sale. ^_^ Sorry you didn’t feel comfy at the venue but at least you did sell a lot of toys. Your table’s beautiful. I think I’d fall over if I came aross something so pretty. Also the new doll is wonderful.
love the dress and shoes. your table looks fabulous! congratulations to your sister, we’re waiting for my husband’s results here.
Sounds like you got some great finds. Your table looks lovely, I think your toys are adorable. Congrats to your sister, you must be very proud.
She’s lovely, like the other dolls you’re made. And what the nice schoes!! Her dress is very nice too!
The vintage fabric obviously couldn’t have fallen into more appropriate hands. How lovely to be able to peek at the inspiration of another generation.