Kalamazoo 2025: Setting Up

Huzzah! Frank gave me permission to use his time lapse of Friday night's set-up in the North Expo where Jolis Chevaux was located. Thanks, Frank!

For background, vendors don't have hours and hours to set up. We gain access to the building Friday at 7:00 PM and can stay and work until 10:00 PM. Then, Saturday morning, we can work from 7:00 AM to 9:00 when the event opens to the public.

When you consider how much is brought in and the displays that are assembled and then stocked... wow. It is pretty incredible as you will see. (Time lapse video by Frank Jarboe and used with permission.)

Wasn't that amazing?

Frank and Carol help Leslie by selling her block print fabrics so they were setting up while I was. (They also helped me.)

I don't buy from Leslie at shows; I don't want to buy things that might be a sale for her. I buy later because she can always order me something I want.

She also made a lot of petticoats to sell (and they sold well.) The walnut-dyed shirt was Rick's, I think, and he decided to sell it. (It did.) 

When the show opens, people cluster around Leslie's tables and the block prints fly off the tables. It's a very busy spot in the building.

She also sells block print scarves that are made from a lighter weight fabric. That gold one called my name, but it sold. But, just like the other block prints, she can always order me another one.

Frank is a minister in both the 21st and the 18th centuries. (Parson John.) He has a Bible from 1723 (it's 302 years old!!) that he brings for the Sunday church service he conducts each year.

I always ask if I can see it - there is something about holding a Bible that is centuries old in your hands, 

or turning the pages and knowing that that book has been used by many, many people of faith over the centuries. I always get a shiver and feel connected to those people through our shared faith despite the gulf of time between us.

Carol offered to help me get the rest of my things out and then Leslie sent Anita, a staff member, over to see what else I needed help with.

My newest display - the sleeve buttons! (They garnered a lot of interest during the event and I sold several pairs!)

My booth was finished well before the closing time of 10:00 thanks to those who helped me. (Grateful!)

I had some of Rick's books on my table and Gretchen brought some wool blankets she wanted to sell - there was plenty of room for all of that. (Can you see the Francis Rumps hanging on the left of the rack?)

Staff had to stay after 10:00 and clear the building and then check in the security crew for the night. Because Gretchen is staff and I rode to Michigan with her, I had to stay late with her. We finally got back to our hotel rooms around 11:00. I called Craig and spoke to him briefly and then set my alarm for 5:00 AM as staff had to be back at the Expo Center early the next morning.

Normally I don't need an alarm, but as tired as I was, I set it. Good thing I did - I was asleep as soon as my head hit my pillow.

Stay 'tooned for a busy, busy, BUSY Saturday!