Inside The Polka Dot Flea

Inside the Polka Dot Flea

On the last post I showed you the behind the scenes set up of the Polka Dot Flea....

Now, lets go inside the Polka Dot Flea 

Before the crowd rushes in.....

This is my booth...I had a sweet blogging friend Amy help me mind my booth.  I'm actually contemplating not having a booth next year.  The last two years I've been stretched to thin planning and running the whole Polka Dot Flea and doing all that is involved in having a booth.  This is a really tough decision, since the whole reason I started the Polka Dot Flea was to have a place I could sell my Polka Dot Closet wares at an indoor air conditioned venue......Funny how things workout!  I had no idea how much fun it would be organizing and promoting a show and a girl can only do so much....Ah, the twists and turns life takes!    

I loved the use of old doilies Blue Betty used around the edge of her tent

Photos courtesy of 

Vintage Finds Magazine

Adjectives Market

Me (Mine are the crummy ones)

We had the Best of the Best Vendors who went over the top building great displays and booths.  They were all so friendly and outgoing.....Making the Polka Dot Flea a festive party like weekend.

I can't wait to show you MORE PHOTOS.....Stay tuned!

Happy Creating

Carol

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

Mary Lou's Lounge At The Polka Dot Flea

The Polka Dot Flea is just over a week away and I am moving at warp speed.....Actually, I've been at warp speed for months!  

Today I worked on Mary Lou's lounge

The Polka Dot Flea venue is a huge 21,000 square ft indoor, air conditioned space, and I knew my Mom would appreciate a place to....

.......Sit a spell.  My son suggested we call it "Mary Lou's Lounge"

I'm using all of my outdoor tables and chairs for the lounge and made some pillows to put here and there

  

Then bought some outdoor plants and wrapped them up in fabric and old lace

I'm not sure if it will be a hit, but I know my Mom will appreciate it!

The show is coming together perfect...We have the best vendors, many are celebrities and legends in this part of the world.  Take a look, I have listed them on the Polka Dot Flea FB page HERE

We even found out "Sisters On The Fly" are coming!  They are the largest outdoor women's group in the US and since the Central Florida Fairgrounds has 600 camping spots, they are coming to camp with their vintage trailers and enjoy the Polka Dot Flea just steps away.....How cool is that!

We know for sure that "Little Miss Pitstop" is coming

I'm so excited!  I can't believe it's almost here.  Next Thursday June 12, we measure out the booths and load the truck.  Friday we set up the venue and my booth from 7am-12pm, then the vendors arrive to set up from 12- 7pm.  

Then Saturday and Sunday June 13-14 from 9-4....

.....It's Show Time the 2nd annual 

Polka Dot Flea!

I will be doing Polka Dot Flea FB posts before and during the show and will be back with a blog post as soon as I can.....Wish me luck, and thank you, for all of your input and support.   If I don't get back to you right away it's because I'm busy hyperventilating!

Happy Creating!

Carol