Kalamazoo: Saturday

 Saturday. The day that made my head spin and my feet hurt. And it was awesome.

Sales started off briskly and escalated from there.

Lisa was incredibly helpful - stepping in when needed and keeping an eye on me to make sure I got a few breaks to sit down, get some water, etc.

The maple cakes (I've learned to have two jars full at all times) were selling fast.

So fast that, by the time we'd opened the third box of the five that I had ordered, I knew I would not have enough for The Feast of the Hunters' Moon. Luckily, the man who makes them was at the event and sold me two more boxes.

For perspective, there are 84 maple cakes per box. We went through three boxes or 252 maple cakes. (I just realized that I did not eat a single one all weekend. Better go grab one now and make up for that! LOL)

Leslie dropped by periodically to check on me but also to find a place where she could just sit for a moment or two.

I had some of Rick's trade silver and books out on my tables, and she stepped in and helped me with that occasionally.

She also taught several seminars. Like the model horse hobby, the living history community is always excited when younger people join and you have them to carry on the hobby and keep it moving forward and growing.

This year there was an incredibly high number of younger dealers setting up booths for the first time, and Leslie taught about how to participate, create a persona, learn about historical accuracy, and the difference between a costume and period clothing. (Avoid using the word "costume" when asking a re-enactor about what they are wearing. They will have spent long hours researching and making their period clothing to be as accurate as possible. They truly are not costumes.)

I was so glad that Frannie's wandering box of toques arrived before we left Indiana.

I started with ten, and by the end of the event I'd sold four!

A helpful re-enactor complimented me on Frannie's toques and suggested that I might consider also selling the pin that many toque wearers use to hold the flap on their toque in place.

A excellent idea for something to add to my inventory. But Rick no longer does any silversmithing, so where could I find any to sell?

Turns out that Cara, Frannie's daughter (and my former student - I was Cara's 5th grade teacher; her brother, Colin's, too) might be just the person I need. Cara has a MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Jewelry & Metals from the University of Illinois. I've already talked to Frannie about contacting her.

Lisa was not the only one helping on the Jolis Chevaux crew - Frank was also a tremendous help. He worked behind the scenes, restocking, bringing me food, and running errands. 

I never did make it to see the Peeps display, although I saw the "Welcome to Kalamazoo" on Friday evening. Did they make another for the rest of the weekend?

I don't know, but one of the more humorous staff members posted this as suggestions for the display:

Who'd have thought that Peeps could be so versatile, right?

One of the event photographers came by and snapped a few pics that she then shared with me. (Look closely - can you see Leslie's flat back saddle just ahead of the man in the white shirt?)

At this point I was about dead on my feet, but I couldn't complain - I'd sold a lot of merchandise, gotten some wonderful comments on the period clothing I'd sewn, and had made several new friends. Tender feet notwithstanding, it had been a wonderful day.

More about the show tomorrow.

Stay 'tooned!