Pages

▼

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




at

30 comments:

  1. The Speckled Hen CottageJune 17, 2015 at 6:50 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  2. hopeandjoyhomeJune 17, 2015 at 6:53 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. ConnieJune 17, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJune 17, 2015 at 7:20 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    I'm so happy for you, Carol! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 17, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  7. 20 North OraJune 17, 2015 at 8:22 PM

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

    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  8. GARAGE SALE GALJune 17, 2015 at 10:14 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. DebC321June 17, 2015 at 10:43 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  10. DebC321June 17, 2015 at 10:44 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  11. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJune 17, 2015 at 11:44 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. handmade by amaliaJune 18, 2015 at 2:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. TamaraJune 18, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  14. TeresaJune 18, 2015 at 6:30 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  15. Celestina MarieJune 18, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  16. MelodyJune 18, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sherry@Back2VintageJune 18, 2015 at 12:30 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ivy and ElephantsJune 18, 2015 at 2:07 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. CreateologyJune 18, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Our Hopeful HomeJune 18, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  21. KathyJune 18, 2015 at 10:06 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mrs. Kelley DibbleJune 18, 2015 at 11:46 PM

    Incredible! Can't wait to see everything!

    Hugs,
    Kelley~

    ReplyDelete
  23. BluebirdbasketryJune 19, 2015 at 12:25 PM

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

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  24. DonnaJune 19, 2015 at 8:53 PM

    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!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. DownTheLaneWithDaisyJune 19, 2015 at 10:01 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnnJune 19, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ros CrawfordJune 20, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    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!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. BeckyJune 26, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    I am so happy for you, everything looks fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  29. CarlaJuly 8, 2015 at 9:48 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownDecember 26, 2019 at 5:30 AM

    Play Bazar Buy a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star programmable thermostat will regulate your home's temperature year-round, both day and night. Always set your thermostat a couple of degrees less than you think the temperature should be, as you won't really notice the difference in your home. An Energy Star thermostat will save you about $180 a year in heating costs.
    satta king

    ReplyDelete