maker's market recap

{photo credit: me}

it's been one week since i did the maker's market. where does the time go?! seriously. i planned on typing up this post early last week and here it is seven days later. eh, better late than never.

the event was a huge success in my eyes. no, we did not have a huge turnout (because of the weather), i did not make thousands of dollars, nor did not sell out of inventory, but boy was it a good time! i don't think it could have been a better "starter market" for me. it gave me the chance to get out there and set up my display and meet some very nice and talented artists. i told them it was my first time doing a market, and they were all excited for me. one of my customers turned out to be a local artist who used to make beautiful glazed ceramic beads for sale at ornamentea. she's kind of a celebrity in the local art scene, and she was very kind and encouraging of my art and even bought a few things. i played it cool, but on the inside I WAS DOING THIS!!! 

during the slow times of the market, i had a chance to hang with the other artist vendors and talk shop. they had some good information for me and even gave me a heads up about another local pop-up market. two of my favorite booths were tierra sol and uncaged artistry. seana from tierra sol makes beautiful, unique terrariums and becky from uncaged artistry makes arm knitted scarves in all kinds of rad colors. both girls were super cool and easy to hang with. thank you ladies for welcoming me in!

i loved the event so much that i am doing it again next saturday! we are having a "rain date re-do" because the weather last saturday did not play nice. hoping for sunny skies this time around! if you are in the raleigh area, come by cameron village and do a little holiday shopping.  

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: amy}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

parker and otis

{photo credit: me}

one of my favorite things about living in durham is the variety of unique shops and restaurants we have. there are so many great local boutiques and coffee shops and eateries within a 10-15 minute drive of my apartment. parker and otis is a gem of a place in downtown durham that combines the best of the shopping and eating worlds. if you asked me to recommend a great breakfast/lunch place in durham, this place would definitely be on my list. their food is super fresh, super local, super delicious. they have a huge variety of chocolates and candies, a great coffee bar serving up local roast coffee, and the best assortment of gifts and cards. i went this past saturday morning for breakfast and ordered one of their huge and fluffy cheddar cheese biscuits along with their breakfast BLT on sourdough. so delicious. if you are ever in the dirty d (as we so fondly call this awesome city), do yourself a favor and stop by parker and otis!

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

{photo credit: me}

rock and shop

{photo credit: me}

as mentioned in my previous post, i recently volunteered at two different craft markets in durham and raleigh. i had an amazing time helping at each. the first market was the rock and shop in downtown durham. i arrived early and met some of the other volunteers who were girls my age. we chatted with coffees in hand and discussed our favorite restaurants and coffee shops in durham. (mine: guglhupf). 

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the artists arrived shortly after so we moved outside to help them unload their wares and find their assigned tables inside the durham armory. 

{photo credit: me}

once the market's doors opened to the public, we stationed ourselves at the entrance handing out totes and welcoming them to the rock and shop. people were dang excited about some handmade crafts and especially giddy when we handed them a canvas tote and told them it was free. it's not a pony, it's a tote. i guess when something is free, you don't really care what it is or if you'll ever really use it. i can totally relate. i may have had to calm the butterflies in my stomach when the volunteer coordinator told me to grab one for myself.

{photo credit: me}

the main auditorium was filled to the brim with all sorts of handmade! screen print towels and t-shirts, felt ornaments, graphic posters and greeting cards, soaps and lotions, jewelry, paper goods, art for your home, and the list goes on. there was also a dj on stage spinning some tunes to set the mood and a fashion show featuring local talent. 

{photo credit: me}

the morning i spent volunteering was a great way to get my foot in the door and meet some really fun, creative people. it was inspiring to see the variety of artists and their wares. who knows, maybe next year i'll be one of the featured artists? be on the lookout. i'm going big. 

ox and rabbit

{photo credit: me}

a few weekends ago, my mom and brother came for a little romp around durham. we took a walk down ninth street and hit up ox and rabbit which is the cutest little gift boutique you ever did see. they also have a real working soda fountain so you can get your sugar fix and your shopping fix with one single swoop. 

{photo credit: me}

i want every single thing in this shop. 

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this rack of paper is beautiful. so perfect for framing-cheap art for your walls!

{photo credit: me}

in stores like this, it's hard for me to differentiate between my needs and my wants. 

{photo credit: me}

my birthday is one week from today. just saying...