June 9, 2014

The Polka Dot Flea Part One

I have sooo much to tell you about the Polka Dot Flea, I hardly know where to start.  


I won't keep you in suspense.....It was a huge success!!!!


They didn't just line up waiting for the doors to open, there was a line out the door for 2 hours and it didn't even start to taper off until about 1:30 pm .  People were still showing up at 3:30 and the show closed at 4pm!!


 Set up on Friday went great...


I was so nervous about having all of the spaces marked off correctly because there were so many obstacles with air conditioners and beams and those that had tents and needed electric....etc. etc.

The vendors refreshment table was set up on the ticket booth.   With chips in the fertilizer spreader on the left and water in the stand on the right......


......Sweets and ice cold lemonade....With polka dot napkins of course


 Yuk,  I hate pictures of myself, but these were the only pictures I have of the windmill outside the venue


And the bike against the railing with garland between the posts and paper flowers in the planters


The swimming hole greeted guests at the door



 I got my booth set up before the other vendors arrived with the help of two incredible ladies.  Eileen who I met through blogging actually drove down from Virginia for the show, it was so exciting to finally meet her! She and her hubby helped with set up and take down and Eileen handed out Polka Dot Flea bags at the door for hours and helped in my booth.   






The other life saver was Becky from Time Washed Who helped set up and worked my booth during the show.  The only picture I have of Becky is her photo bombing these two sweet ladies with their Polka Dot Flea bags...See her on the right lol!



 Here's my mosaic dress form and even though it didn't sell, it started quite a few conversations....




It wasn't long before people started hauling out their treasures




....loading up their trucks and coming back for more!



I have so much more to show you.......The stars of the show......The Amazing Vendors!  Honestly, you would have thought there was a prize for the most creative booth.....Every single one, no exceptions, was amazing!  

I had a professional photographer who took pictures in the morning before customers arrived so, instead of showing you my shiny red Kodak photo's of the booths...... I am going to wait for the professional ones!

To be continued..........

Happy Creating!
Carol

48 comments:

marda said...

Congratulations. I knew you'd be a success. Just wish I could have been one of the customers. I look forward to seeing more pictures.. and hey, you're cute as a bug. If I looked as good as you do, I wouldn't be hiding from the camera all the time!!!!

Our Hopeful Home said...

Congratulations, Carol! I'm so glad your hard work paid off! (Not that I'm surprised.) Wish I could have been there. You look great, by the way. Can't wait to see more pictures. xo Kathleen

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi Carol, I had thought of you on Saturday. Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you that the show was such a success. You had put your heart in it as well as lot of work and money. How sweet of Becky and Eileen to help you with your gorgeous booth. You look cute in the pictures. I look forward to seeing more of the show.
Have a great week!
Julia

Connie said...

Hi Carol, I am so excited for you and so happy that it was a success . . . we all knew that it would be :) great photos and I'll be looking forward to seeing more.
NOW, GET SOME REST!!!
Have a great week,
Connie :)

Heart Vintage Design said...

Fablous show Carol. I can't wait until the next one!

Nilgün Komar said...

Congratulations, Carol!

MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOI said...

I was sure you would succeed because you deserve it !!! Your enthusiasm is communicative and the hard work you realized made you success ! So happy for you ! Aren't you too tired now ? After such a great project the nerves come down and sometimes we feel like being empty (don't know if these expressions are right in english !)
xoxo from Paris (big storms at the moment)
Joëlle

Ros Crawford said...

Yay!! Well done to you!! How could it not be a success ... you worked so hard ... I can't wait to see more photos ... Soooo Happy for you!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Congratulations, Carol! It looks like it was a great success! I can't wait to see the pictures of the booths.

Unknown said...

Great event, Carol. Looking forward to the next one. Hopefully, you have a larger venue - you'll need it. :)

Unknown said...

Great event, Carol. Looking forward to the next one. Hopefully, you have a larger venue - you'll need it. :)

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Hi Carol!

Carol,
I was there....and I saw you from a distance but it was very crowded so I never could make my way to you....I would say it was a success! I got a few treasures and we had a great time... I think you can even go bigger next time.

xoxo,
Amy Jo

Debbie said...

WONDERFUL! When I saw that you had posted, I knew it would be an update and hoped it would be a victory lap. So glad it was and is!

I hope you keep with the goal to do it other times. We really want to come!

Kathy said...

It looks just amazing and I am so glad to hear it was a success!!

sandy said...

Wow! Looks like a very successful event! And you apparently didn't forget a thing! Right down to the bags and after party! What fun!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I'm so happy to hear that the show was a huge success, you did an amazing job. How wonderful to have such good friends to help you out. Looking forward to seeing more.

Laurel Stephens said...

I'm so thrilled for you. Everything looks absolutely fun and fabulous. And I'm glad you're in some of the photos because you're adorable and the star of the show!!

Jane said...

Soooooooo happy to see that your show was a HUGE success!!! Knew it would be, but always worry a bit about the weather or some disaster. You put so much thought and creativity into your planning - and it really showed. Look forward to seeing even more pictures and hearing more about it! You look so cute in those photos too!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, Congrats on a huge success! I knew it would be and love seeing part one of the day. Looks like everyone was having so much fun shopping and your booth was gorgeous. I could spend a lot of time there.
Love seeing cutie you in the pics and like Laurel said, the star of the show!
Can't wait for part 2!!
Rest up~~
Hugs

Teresa said...

I don't have time now (back later :)) but I wanted to say Congratulations, Carol! Couldn't happen to a most deserving person. Well done!!! So envious of those who are now owners of a Polka Dot Masterpiece.
Back later... don't let me going.
See you soon,
T

Betty Sneeringer said...

It was wonderful and I am so glad to get to meet you.

Betty

Jane said...

It was great!!! I had to get there after noon but I so enjoyed it. Can't wait till the next one.

Jane

entirely apropos said...

Hi Carol!
Not surprised at all that is was such a great success! You worked hard and it paid off. Love all the details and love that you thought of hiring a professional to take pics. Great idea!!!
( BTW ...You shouldn't hide behind the camera, you are adorable!)
Glad you had so many step up to help you.
Kudos to you and enjoy the journey... I'm sure you are going to be heading in a new direction with all of this! Who knows what new doors will open. Exciting!
Julie

Nancy said...

Oh Carol, Carol, Congratulations I knew you would make it a Huge Success!! My eyeballs are swelling as I wish I could have been their to help, and you look terrific in the Photos!! These pictures look great but of course I can't wait to see more...your Booth looks Beautiful and I hope you sold a lot! Your Mosaic Mannequin is a true Masterpiece!! Now the word is out, with Christmas around the Corner...November will be even more of a success, with double, triple the traffic. I hope your going to take a bit of time off to relish in what you just accomplished for the Art World. I'll have to check with Celeste and see what she has going for November!!
Big Huggs My Sweet Successful Friend!!
Nancy

Cynthia said...

Hi Carol, I knew this would be a huge success and you should be so proud of yourself as well as exhausted. Everything looked so great and the line of people was fabulous. Can't wait to hear more!!

Cynthia

shari said...

I'm so happy for you that the event was a big success. First of all, I can't believe the dressform didn't sell, thats my favorite. I can't wait to see more pictures and hear more about the event. Congratulations!

nelda said...

Congratulations! I knew all of your hard work work would pay off. I'm so glad you had a professional photographer and I can't wait to see all the pics!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh my! It looks incredible and I'm so happy lots of people came out! We love our sales and festivals here in Florida, don't we? And look how CUTE you look! I wish I could get my hair cut like yours! You look great my friend! How did you stay so clean and fresh? I can't wait to see more pics! Hugs, Diane

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

HOORAY!!! FOR YOU!!!
I'm going to call you!
warmly,
deb

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

Congratulations!!! So take a well deserved bow! So glad for your success, you put the effort in and went the extra mile. Your triumph is inspiring!!! Waiting for more tales and pics of the Polka Dot Flea~~~

farmhouse-story said...

congrats, carol!! i'm so glad for your success!! you are a wonderful example of what hard work, determination and a dream can do!

Ann said...

The pictures look great and people standing in line is a good sign of sweet success. You deserve a big {hug}.

Marlynne said...

So Very Happy For You! You deserve a will earned rest!

pipigirl said...

hope you are doin your polka dot happy dance. i knew youd be a smash hit. very happy for you. if anyone desrves it.... you do. now, take a deep breath. susy

April Nunn Coker, Author said...

Carol! You shouldn't be reluctant to show yourself in photos! You are cute as a button! Wish I could have been a part of the Polka Dot Flea, but it's a bit of a drive from here in East Texas. So glad it was a success and all your hard work paid off and your dreams were realized! Congratulations!

Mimi Sue said...

Looks like lots of fun! So glad all went well. Looking forward to the next installment. Mimi

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I knew it would be wonderful! Looking forward to more!

Maureen Wyatt said...

Congratulations on your successful show! I never doubted it for a moment but it's great to hear it exceeded every expectation.

Little Miss Maggie said...

I'm so happy for you, Carol. I knew your show would be a huge success. Your own booth looked incredible. Can't wait to hear more.

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Didn't I tell you that you would be super successful...YES, I did!!! So amazing Carol. Too bad I live so far away! xo

-Lana said...

Congratulations! What a fabulous show! Don't 'yuk' your pictures - you look great. :)

-Lana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Congrats on a job well done! It looed amazing! ♥

Curtains in My Tree said...


Those pictures were wonderful,it would have been so fun to see them in person

Rita C at Panoply said...

Hi Carol, I came over from Sherry's blog, and am now your newest follower. Your flea set up looked amazing, and I can't wait to read the other installments of this event. I follow and have bought things from Becky - nice to see her there with you.
What a feat to have out this together! I'm in WV, and it looks like something I would plan a trip around, for sure!
I look forward to getting acquainted with you and your blog!
Best,
Rita C at Panoply

BECKY said...

Fabulous job, Carol! It was a joy to work with you and watch everything come alive!! Such a production, and one you handled so very well! I was right! The people just kept coming!! :o) Here's to your success,sweetie, and the next Polka Dot Flea!!

Hugs,
Becky

Carla said...

Looks like a success for sure

KimMalk said...

O, Carol! I am sooo HAPPY your 1st Flea turned out so well. Everything looks (was) so well thought out and inviting. I'm delighted it was a success for you and am going to gobble up the other posts. Hugs to you!