"Count me in."

That’s the first thing Jackie Lines of Shambora Studio, shamborastudios.blogspot.com told me when I mentioned our upcoming Vintage Marketplace at the Springfield Extravaganza this May. She was thrilled, as we all were, with the success of our Vintage Marketplace at last month’s Tailgate-Music Valley Antique Show held at the Hendersonville Expo Center in Tennessee. In a word , she described the show as “fun”, and it really was. She loved the camaraderie and networking that took place with other artists both before and during the show. She and I were amazed that even though each booth had its own unique atmosphere, they all worked together to create a truly fresh and beautiful show. And Jackie reported strong sales, several of which were to shop owners who wanted to bring that fresh, updated look into their own shops. She felt the show got a great response from customers; that they understood they could work vintage pieces into any décor.
Jackie summed up the Vintage Marketplace by saying, “people were happy, everyone was smiling and having a good time”. Ahhh, that’s music to a show promoter’s ears.

THERESA SMITH, TIME WORN INTERIORS

I had a nice conversation with Theresa this afternoon. Although I’ve been following her blog, Time Worn Interiors we’ve never actually met face-to-face. I got the impression from her blog that was going to be clever, engaging and have a real sense of humor. I was right. You just have to look at the photo her Christmas tree to see what I mean. Her husband, Craig, put the tree together from a few mystery parts, but the funny thing is, she does her own welding when necessary. She says Craig married her because she owned a better welder then he did.
I asked her about the impact her blog has had on her business. “Huge, absolutely huge”, was her response. She loves that customers can see her merchandise on her blog. “I can let them know what shows I’ll be doing. Shoppers come to the shows for the merchandise they’ve seen on my blog. It’s a great form of advertising”. Make sure you look for her at The Vintage Marketplace this February.

Melissa Sands, Pure Vintage Chicago

I was really excited to hear that Melissa Sands, of Pure Vintage Chicago will be setting up at the debut of the Vintage Marketplace. We’ve spoken by phone but, I can’t wait to meet her in person and see what she brings to the show. I thought I was busy. Wow! She makes me feel like a slacker. She not only owns and operates Pure Vintage Chicago, she also does shows and she sells on Ruby Lane. Then there’s the North Shore Flea, her amazing pop-up market that literally “pops up” in whatever good location she finds around the north side of Chicago. You’ve got to follow her blog to see where her next market will be. How cool is that? What a way to heighten the adventure surrounding each market. Her newest undertaking is the Dallas (TX) Vintage Jewelry Show, which will also feature vintage clothing. Yep. She’s a woman after my own heart…always up for a new challenge.