June 17, 2015

The Polka Dot Flea 2015 Part One, The Preparations And Set-up

The 2015 Polka Dot Flea is over and it was successful beyond our wildest imagination!  


One of our wonderful sponsors Barr Display provided this lady mannequin who spent 3 days holding up all of her purchases on her bike.   They also provide stanchions, shopping bags for customers, and grid work for a temporary office space...Love you Barr Display!


It started with taping off the booths on Thursday and then setup day on Friday

We had beverages and snacks laid out on the ticket booths during set up on Friday...Vendors get mighty thirsty and hungry while setting up their booths 




I often say "We" when I talk about anything involving the Polka Dot Flea.  I am referring to my son Bradley, the two of us ARE the "Polka Dot Flea"...We completely share every aspect of the promoting, organizing, and running of the Polka Dot Flea.  He does most of the social media, computer work, graphics, coordinates the staff and runs the majority of the Flea on show days.  I do most of the marketing, finances (Yuk) , layout, and creative touches...Our collaboration works out well and I could not do it without him!    

Once "We" had the venue ready on Friday we welcomed our vendors


They were lined up with trailers as far as the eye could see.


We had our amazing staff ready at 7 separate unloading doors.  Within 20 minutes all of our vendors were at their doors unloading and escorted to their booths by our wonderful hostesses.  Having an organized show and making it a pleasant experience for our vendors is our number one priority.

And the set-up began! We had 1 staff member for every 6 vendors and they were willing to help in any way they could.  All of our staff have walkie talkies so the communication between everyone is excellent!


This adorable photo booth was set up courtesy of our amazing sponsor Adjectives Market who also hosted a vendor party on Saturday night....A million thank you's!


We followed the bicycle theme all the way through the show starting with the poster


Then Saturday morning at 9am it was.....Show Time


I all but cried when we went out early to collect admission and hand out Polka Dot Flea shopping bags.......We could not believe the line!

It wasn't long before they were out of the Florida heat and in 21,000 sq feet of air conditioned shopping bliss....They came.....and they came..... A steady stream of shoppers all Saturday and Sunday!

I'll be back soon to bring you inside the Polka Dot Flea!

The Pink Paper Rose a vendor from New Jersey

In the mean time you might enjoy reading this wonderful article about the 2015 Polka Dot Flea that was in our local newspaper the Orlando Sentinel on Monday!

I'll be back soon

Happy Creating
Carol




30 comments:

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

Congratulations!!! I bet your just over the moon. I'll be gone for a few days so I'll catch up with the inside when I get back. Best ~ Mickie

hopeandjoyhome said...

I'll bet you are beat! Looks like you had a great turn out..congrats!

Connie said...

Carol, How absolutely wonderful . . . everything looked great and I can not wait to see more photos. Vendors all the way from New Jersey . . . Wow! I love the way you painted the boards on your ticket booths, they are so pretty. I know that for the planners, it is not over when it's over . . . so I do hope that you will have time to rest soon:)
God bless you.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I'm thrilled to hear that your 2nd annual Polka Dot Flea was such a huge success. As a vendor for many years, I can't tell you how much we appreciate all the organization and planning that goes into making the process easier for us. What an incredible partnership you have with your son. Looking forward to seeing everything all set up.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you, Carol! ♥

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so happy you had good weather and a great turnout! What a success! I hope you had time to bring home a few treasures too! Sweet hugs, Diane

20 North Ora said...

I knew it would be so successful! Congratulations to you and your son! Would have loved to have been there. Get some rest!

Judy

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

So very HAPPY for your very successful Flea market! How thoughtful you were to your vendors :) Looking forward to more photos :)
warmly,,
deb

DebC321 said...

I did not doubt for a second your dream would become a reality. Kudos to you my dear friend and what a great son you have. Congratulations! Now get some rest! :) Deb

DebC321 said...

I did not doubt for a second your dream would become a reality. Kudos to you my dear friend and what a great son you have. Congratulations! Now get some rest! :) Deb

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Whoa!
(you know how wordy I am...)
just
Whoa!

handmade by amalia said...

I'm so glad to hear that it was a success. The photos look super fun.
Amalia
xo

Tamara said...

Congratulations Carol! That is so awesome :) that line is fabulous... you're such an inspiration.. Love to hear about your Flea and see your wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to more!

Tamara <3

Teresa said...

Bags turned out awesome.
So glad you have that huge support of dear son. Even when "we" don't need help, is good to share the excitement and ideas and plans...
Go Carol! Everything looks so amazing I found myself envying those excited ladies who would have the chance to touch your exquisite creations and enjoy you.
All the Best,
Teresa

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, Congratulations on a huge success again this year. Love seeing all those excited shoppers ready to find their treasures. Everything looked wonderful and I just love the bike theme.
Looking forward to part 2.
I bet you're ready to take a vacation!!
xo

Melody said...

Congratulations, Carol, on your FLEA's smashing success! You (& your son...) put in soooooooooo much work for it to run smoothly. I still ♥ the bicycle/parcels display the best!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Congratulations! I'm so happy for your success. Can't wait to see into the Flea!!!

Ivy and Elephants said...

Congratulations! With all your style and attention to detail, I knew it would be a success!
Hugs,
Patti

Createology said...

Congratulations to you and your son for a very well done Polka Dot Flea 2015. I have done a lot of venues over the years and yours is amazing and super organized right from the start! Every detail is so very appreciated from the vendors through the shoppers. Carol You are an Inspiration!!! Creative Bliss and June JOY...

Our Hopeful Home said...

I'm so happy for you Carol! What a great accomplishment for you and your son! How great you could do it together! I always love to hear of your plans and set up and how it went, etc....I'm waiting with bated breath for the rest of the story! Congrats again!

xoKathleen

Kathy said...

Congratulations!! I never doubted it would be a huge success with all the hard work you have put in to it. Well done, Carol, and looking forward to seeing the loot.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Incredible! Can't wait to see everything!

Hugs,
Kelley~

Bluebirdbasketry said...

So happy for you!!! You are awesome, Carol.

Sue

Donna said...

Congrats to you, Carol! I knew your show would be a huge hit! Now you can take a very well deserved break. That is so neat you and your son can work together on this event. Sure wish I could have attended!!

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

I think you've found your niche in life, and with Bradley as your partner, I see many successful events in your future,congrats!

Ann said...

You deserve {hugs}for all of your hard work and attention to detail. Everything looks amazing. Anxiously waiting for your pictures but understand if you need a break. Congrats on another successful event. There are no words to describe how talented you are.

Ros Crawford said...

I am so thrilled for you! Your hard work and creativity really paid off and so it should! Big pat on the back to you!!

Becky said...

I am so happy for you, everything looks fabulous.

Carla said...

Wow what a turn out. I think I see success in the pictures.
Congrats

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