OC Foodie Fest

This past Saturday was the OC Foodie Fest at the Honda Center. Sold out with 8500 people, 50 food trucks, plus music, entertainment, and of course shopping with artists as part of the Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival portion of the Foodie Fest. That's where I came in. 

It was fun having a booth, but frustrating at times because as such a foodie as I am, I really wanted to check out each and every food truck. I did eat a Vietnamese sandwich from The Nom Nom Truck. My husband got those before the lines became outrageously long. Then my friend @OrangeCountyGal (on Twitter) who eats from food trucks most days/nights of the week, showed up at my booth with an amazing tiramisu from Vizzie Truck and then later a bbq beef sandwich from the same truck for me.  Later in the day my friend Kelly from Just Spotted brought me amazing cake donut holes from The Buttermilk Truck. I got the feeling people were mostly there to eat and only a small amount of people ended up shopping. Perhaps it was because of the long food truck lines. Maybe they were taking their food to the next line and eating it there. Also, the lack of shade on a sunny day may have caused people to eat and run and less to hang around. If there had been tables put by the vendor area, people may have hung around and shopped more. Who knows. I'm just speculating. But I was thankful for the sales that I did get. I got a lot of compliments on my designs and people really enjoyed their purchases. 

And here was my booth. And of course I dragged along my husband with the premise of "There's going to be so much food to try. Come along, you'll love it". That worked out well!

Because of the food focus of this show I thought it would be great to highlight my cupcake jewelry. I made extra fun displays and signs and it paid off.

Look at these cuties happily showing off their cupcake necklaces which are also available on my website.

I also had my tops with vintage hankies and here's a happy customer modeling a top she purchased.

One of my favorite things about doing shows is meeting other artists. This is John of J. Holden Designs. He was next to me and here's a fun pic of him making a wire coaster holder for a customer that purchased some of his cool coasters. I really didn't have time to go around and see other vendors. So that's it for vendor pics. So that was my weekend. What was yours like?

Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts at the OC Foodie Fest

Tomorrow! Come out to the OC Foodie Fest at the Honda Center. Be ready to eat and shop until you drop or explode. Whichever comes first. I'll have a booth selling my cupcake jewelry, tops and skirts with vintage embellishments and much more. Plus I'll be taking orders for custom mixed media pet portraits and you don't need to bring a thing except cash or credit card. I can't wait to see you and if I haven't met you, introduce yourself please.

Revival of My Blog

I'm not even going to mention how long it's been since I blogged. Let's just say I needed the summer to myself and though I had some interesting blog material, I couldn't for the life of me get my act together. Starting today, what I've decided to do is tell myself that a blog entry doesn't have to have bells and whistles. It can be something simple and yet appealing. So today I'm going to leave you with this: Our new dog is Foxy. She's a Maltese and Papillon mix, about 2 1/2 years old, weighs about 6 1/2 lbs. and is adorable, sweet, and extremely loving. Today she got her first grooming. I waited because after we got her we went on vacation to Kauai (another blog entry coming soon), and upon our return had to get spayed. It's been 2 weeks since surgery and she's not a ragamuffin anymore.

Ethan's Representing CA at the Cadet Freestyle National Championships!

Such Great Friends

Betty

If it wasn't for my friends, I wouldn't be where I am, do what I'm doing, smile as big as I do each day. The help before, and presence of my friends at Patchwork show this past weekend made it all worth while. I owe my friends a huge thank you. So Thank You my buds, my pals, my great friends who came from far and near! Seriously.
Thank you Carrie for "Betty". She was well dressed and even changed clothes a time or two. Also thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience of craft shows and giving me the confidence to get out there!

Thank you Jenn for making a sign with my logo without me asking for it, way back when that I recently had laminated and it helped everyone know where I was. And thank you for coming so far with your family that I've never met to show your support, and giving me home made mochi! I've always begged you for it. he he. It was amazing!! Missed out on getting your pic though. Darn!

Michelle, my neighbor and buddy you are always there when it counts and I appreciate you bringing Helen. I know she couldn't have made it without you. One of these days, when your little one settles down I may hire him as an assistant. I think he likes craft shows.

Kristin, me, and Steph

Kristin, thank you for all your encouragement in my up and down times and your willingness to help at the drop of a hat even though you had the hardest cake of your career to make that day. You will never know how much I appreciated that. And Lyle, thanks for being ok with being dragged along ;)

Steph you are the best for always promoting my business and getting the word out. Thanks for believing in me and being such a great friend!

And I would not have even thought of doing Patchwork if it weren't for Delilah. Thanks girl for having faith in me that I could sew in the first place and encouraging me to pursue the clothes and especially the dog portraits. Also, I really appreciated your generosity. For all that you did and that you are. And I know you are that way with everyone. I am humbled and forever grateful!

And last but not least, Marge. Thanks Marge for being you! As my "Cover Dog" on my dog postcards,  you really helped sell the whole dog portrait angle for me and lady, you have quite the loving fan club. In fact, I suggest you get your own Facebook page. As Delilah says best "from living on the streets with no love to more love than any dog should have you are one loved dog!"

Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival

What a crazy 2010. My goal was to do a bunch of shows after I did the Holiday Unique Show, but with my son's wrestling schedule going all year, all week and every weekend, it just wasn't possible. But I did manage to squeeze in one show and got accepted to The Patchwork Show on Sunday, June 6 from 11am to 5 pm. I'm so excited because it's in my backyard. This show is in Santa Ana and it's a show I really want to do to get exposure to my local crowd and show them what I do. So hopefully I'll see familiar faces (hint, hint). In other words, please come out and show your support!

It's a lot of fun. It's not huge and overwhelming but there are so many local artists and crafters to shop from. And such talent in one area. There's also music and food vendors. I love the joy and spirit in the air. You can really feel it. The show is pet friendly too. Go to the Patchwork Show page and Join it to keep up with the show's current events.

As for me, I'm pretty much going insane making new things and new displays. What I'll be selling is completely different from what I have on my website for the most part. I'm going to be selling the tops like I had blogged a few posts back. Skirts with applied vintage embellishments and accessories to be determined still. I'll be taking orders for custom pet portraits and I'll be taking portrait pics on the spot if the dog is present and the owner wants it. I'll also be selling the jewelry mixed media photo art pieces that are on my website.