Good morning,
CRAZY.... that would be how we'd describe it. Other words could be used, Wonderful, Fantastic, Busy and the list would go on.
We've been open almost 10 months, but in the last 3 months it has gone from busy to "non-stop".
Painting 12 hours a day, 7 days per week is now the norm. Fortunately, we have many vendors helping us keep up with the demand, but it's still a fuller than full time job.
This weekend, we took part in a Junk Market at Touch of Home in Burnsville, and it was Wild. We set up between 6:00 and 8:00. The market opened at 8:00, by 10:00 I had to call the shop and have them load the van and bring me more, I was just about out of everything but a few chairs.
I had brought with me - Chest of Drawers, End Tables, Magazine Racks, Mirrors, Frames, Chairs, a Desk, small tables and then of course my Websters Chalk Paint Powder. It was non-stop in our booth and then the customers went to the shop and pretty much cleaned out the shop as well.
We were excited about the wonderful sales but then we remembered, the next morning the Star Tribune was having an article in the Sunday paper - Dakota County section, about Next Act. Now we had a major article coming out and a shop that was a bit picked over.
We open at Noon on Sundays.... Nancy got in at 10:30 to try to straighten the shop and fill in the holes left from sold pieces. The phone started ringing off the wall and then the people started coming in. We met so many new customers and saw a lot of our regulars. It was fun and nobody seemed to notice the selection in the shop was a bit down. I was at the back table painting new pieces and selling the Websters supplies.
Now you know why I haven't been blogging much. I'm at the shop trying to keep up with the supply and demand. Also, teaching workshops and selling the Websters Chalk Paint Powder.
It has been wonderful, no complaints. It's a rewarding feeling to know that our pieces are being used to make homes warm and cozy.
I better say goodbye for today, need to get to the shop and paint. We open again on Thursday and I have a considerable amount to do before then. Also, custom orders to complete as well.
Be Creative,
Patti
