The Nebraska Contingent

The Nebraska Contingent began my very first year setting up Jolis Chevaux at the Feast of the Hunters' Moon. This very tall, friendly man walked into my tent and began looking through the trade shirts I had for sale.

We chatted just a bit as I rang up the sale, and then the next day Blake returned with his wife Carrie to show me how the shirt looked as he wore it. (I love it when customers do that!)

Blake and Carrie have returned to my tent every year to buy trade shirts and they are a highlight of my Feast - good people who have become good friends.

Blake and Carrie preparing to depart with the other voyageurs down the Wabash River. He's wearing another of my shirts.

Earlier this year I heard from a gentleman named Ryan who asked if I could make him a trade shirt in blue. Although I didn't know him, I sent him pictures of the fabrics I had on hand, he selected one, and when I asked where to send the completed shirt, it was to a town in Nebraska.

Nebraska?! He must be someone who comes to the Feast and had gotten my card, I surmised. Two more (also blue) shirts later along with a chemise, pocket, and a petticoat for his wife, Ryan commented that he'd never been to the Feast; he'd heard of me from his friend Blake.

Ryan's friend Blake and my customer Blake turned out to be one and the same person.

Then, earlier this month I was contacted by a woman who asked if I would make her a trade shirt and if she could see some fabric options for it. I sent her some photos of the block prints I had on hand along with my terms and asked if she'd like some references since I did not know her and figured that was mutual.

Her response caught me off guard.

"Well, thank you for the compliment," I thought, "but where on earth is the Grand Portage Reenactment?" And I did a search of living history events to find out - it's up on the northwest corner of Lake Superior in Minnesota.

I still did not know who was wearing my shirts up there, but then I got a message from Blake a few days ago.

Hey Lynn,

I hope all is well with you!

I’m reaching out because my wife and I won't be able to make it to the Feast this year, which means I’m going to miss out on picking up a new trade shirt in person.

With all the summer events we’re doing out west, a person can never have too many trade shirts—especially yours! I get so many compliments on them that I’ve actually run out of your business cards to pass out.

I’d love to see what you currently have in stock.  Looking forward to connecting and seeing what you have available!

Best,
Blake

There it was. In addition to wearing my shirts, Blake had been passing out my business cards. What a nice thing to do! I do put my cards out when Jolis Chevaux is set up for sales, and I don't mind a bit if people take multiples; I guess I just didn't realize that Blake was acting as a walking advertisement for me!

The two fabrics I showed yesterday are for trade shirts for Blake and Carrie.

I started with his shirt, a (Blake is tall; my dressmaker's mannequin is not. Hah!)

The sleeves are finished; I just need to attach them to the body of the shirt, stitch up the side seams, and hem the bottom.

I will finish that today and then start on Carrie's shirt.

Of course, I will tuck in some more business cards with their order and probably a beeswax ornament or two as a thank you gift.

There is another couple in the Nebraska Contingent - Chris the tinsmith and his wife, Linda. I'll share about them another time. (Do a search of the blog and you will see them.) They, too, are good friends.

Stay 'tooned!