Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Christmas in the Country

I'm slowly getting my energy back after spending 4 long days selling scarves at the Christmas In The Country craft show. A few of you asked what craft Chris and I sell so I thought I'd show you.

We went out to Hamburg, below Buffalo last Wednesday to set up the booth. It's a 4.5 hour trip from where we live. Thursday and Friday are very long days starting at 10AM and ending at 9PM. Saturday and Sunday are better hours, 9AM until 6PM Saturday and 10Am until 5PM on Sunday, but they're very busy, which is good. Standing around at a craft show is not good! People come by the busload to this show, from all over the Buffalo area and beyond, even Canada, which is not far away.

Friday was a busy day too but there was a snow storm on Thursday afternoon which put a damper on the crowds. After that very nasty storm Buffalo had a few weeks ago people are wary. There are still huge piles of branches by the curbs waiting to be taken away. It was the same heavy wet snow, but luckily it only lasted a few hours and then melted.

Chris owns the business and I help her. We've been doing this together for at least 12 years now. I look a bit like a drunken sailor in this photo :) The photographer who had a booth opposite us very obligingly took the photo with my camera. He had the most amazing wildlife shots, taken with a film camera. No digital for him yet, but he's converting next year.



This is our booth set up for the Springtime in the Country show which we did back in April.



Here you can see a few of the fabrics up close. The scarf is a unique design which is copyrighted by Chris. A loop is sewn into the end of the neck edge and then fabric is pulled through the loop to form a bow. There are at least 12 variations so the scarf can be worn different ways.



People can see the colors matched with tops and jackets on
display around the edges of the booth. This also helps them to decide what outfit they might want to put a scarf with. Have you ever tried to think of what's in your closet when you're shopping and trying to match an accessory? Most people draw a blank.


When that happens we suggest they think of the colors they wear most and then select something that will match those colors, rather than try to pick out something specific in their wardrobe.


There are some lovely vibrant colors, and some softer...lots to choose from, and they're all washable. Am I sounding like a salesperson? Sorry!



Here's Chris at the spring show in Hamburg



And here she is at Letchworth on Columbus Day weekend, which of course was an outdoor show Posted by Picasa

The one thing I dislike about sending the pictures to the blog using Picasa and Hello is that I often receive comments before I'm finished editing the post and adding dialogue. I just received a nice comment in my inbox from Motherkitty. She says she's surprised we weren't wearing scarves. We don't usually have the scarves on since we're continually demonstrating how to use them. I guess we weren't thinking very well that late in the day or we would've put one on for the picture :)

We'll be off to visit our son and his family this weekend as it's our oldest grandson's 5th birthday. It'll be wonderful to see those grandkids!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

28 comments:

Motherkitty said...[Reply]

Lovely scarves. I hope you two sold a bundle of them. I especially like the brown spotted one. I'm surprised the two of you weren't wearing any with your white shirts and black jackets. You would have looked very spiffy.

Philosophical Karen said...[Reply]

Oh, I just love scarves! If I had been at that craft show, I'm sure I would have spent a long time at your booth, just oohing and ahing over all the lovely choices.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

Kerri...the scarves are very pretty. I love the feel & look of scarves although I don't have many. I hope that you sold many of your items and had a good time.

The weather in your last picture looks very nice & sunny too.

Sandy

Susie said...[Reply]

Kerri,
These pictures really help me see what you do at your craft shows. Loved seeing the picture of you! It sounds like an exhausting, busy time. Chris is a very inventive lady to have designed such a clever and versatile scarf. I'd have a hard time choosing among all the pretty colors!!
Birthday Hugs to your sweet grandson!
We're off for a few days too.
Talk to you soon!
xoxox

Dianne said...[Reply]

Scarves seen to be back in style and the ones you sell are very pretty!

Happy birthday to your grandson-a fellow Scorpio (like me).

LindaD said...[Reply]

Ingenious idea! Do you sew these scarves? by hand or machine? You must spend most of your time keeping your 'tables' neat with people looking through them. Wonderful Christmas idea. Its funny because I was going to ask what kind of crafts you do.

Sigruns German Garden said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, you have a Christmas sell now, so early? I hope, you have sold a lot.

Sigrun

TJ said...[Reply]

I love the bright cheerful colors of the scarfs!
Hope you enjoy the birthday party and have a great weekend yourself!!
:-D

Alice said...[Reply]

Beautiful scarves and fabrics. Does Chris sew them all? I've seen some here with a loop on the end but I'm not sure if they are the same style.

Re posting the photos - as soon as I've finished loading them, I go into 'Edit Posts' and then save them all as a Draft. That then takes them off the blog until all the text has been added.

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

The scarves look beautiful; lovely colors. For some reason I pictured you selling some type of craft that had something to do with dried flowers or maybe hand painted wooden cats. lol. Will you be at any of the craft fairs at the State Fair Grounds?

Linda said...[Reply]

The scarves are really beautiful. What a great idea to show how they will look with different colors. You're exactly right. I draw a complete blank about what clothes I own whenever I go shopping.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

I, too, was wondering what you were selling. The scarves are very pretty and unique. I hope you did well with the sales. It does look like you put in some long days.

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

Welcome back Kerri:-) Glad to hear the show went well but you certainly didn't need that snow storm!! I can imagine how tired you are, though! The scarves are just beautiful...my mom wears a lot of scarves and I think she would be fascinated with what you can do with Chris'...fabulous! Love the colours! Hope you have a fun time with your grandson...Happy 5th Birthday to him:-) xox

Tina said...[Reply]

Wow, Kerri, those are gorgeous! I think I'd make a mess of your table just wanting to run my fingers accross them all, lol. Do you ever do the Holiday Shoppes Extravaganza at the NYS Fair grounds? They're this weekend and I'd so love to be there if only to ooo and ahhh over everything.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I love scarves! All those beautiful scarves you get to be around. My daughter lived in Paris for a couple of years and returned home with more stylish scarf tying tricks than I ever imagined. It is amazing what Parisian women and men can do with a scarf. It can so easily make a simple outfit into a sensational outfit.

clairesgarden said...[Reply]

wow, lovely materials, what a good idea haveing the different outfits to help choose a scarf.

Laurie and Chris said...[Reply]

Kerri ~ My mom and I where at Hamburg on Sunday. What a great show. I remember seeing your both but I don't remember seeing you.We always enjoy that show.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I love the pictures of the craft show. I am sure you must sell a lot. Also love all the colors....

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

I'm back to read the WHOLE post...I didn't realize that pictures got published so fast and now I know why comments appear just as soon as I close out my blog after publishing. Thanks for that bit of info Kerri.

Have a nice weekend visiting your son and you know us...we expect to see some pics of your grandson's birthday.*inserts smile here*

Happy 5th Birthday to your oldest grandson.

Sandy

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

I wanted to stop by today to say Thank-you to Ross. Happy Verterans Day!

Tabor said...[Reply]

Yet, neither of you are wearing scarves in the photo?

Val said...[Reply]

I think you should be marketing these scarves in Australia, Kerri! They are beautiful, and really finish off an outfit.

Hope your voice is now normal again.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Those are beautiful scarves! I always think how beautiful they look on others, but not me. Same with hats!
I hope your weekend is wonderful with your son and family. Post lots of birthday photos!

roybe said...[Reply]

Your friend Chris, is very talented Kerri. Nice co-ordination on the displays. You must have been worn out after the four days. But probably very rewarding meeting so many people.

Marlene Depler said...[Reply]

Pretty scarves! I would love to visit you at a craft show!

I am trying to catch up on some of my favorite blogs after five weeks of company (my daughter and her family from Bosnia!)

HORIZON said...[Reply]

What great pics- l love scarves and would have a field day at your stall. Great to see you at the fair with Chris- can picture you now. :)
Hope your feeling better again
Bests and hugs
xx

DellaB said...[Reply]

wow Kerri, your things are beautiful, you must have the BEST time...

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Your scarves are beautiful, so many colours! I think that picture of you and Chris is just lovely Kerri. I’d have just loved to have been at your craft fair. Marion