GFWC Hudson Junior Women's Club 40th Annual Craft Fair at Hudson Memorial School

The 40th Annual GFWC Hudson Junior Women's Club Craft Fair was a great experience on this blustery, sunny day at this long-standing event.  It is always one of my best fairs of the year and the cramped high school hallways with all my arrangements and extras to make whatever comes up, does not deter me from this wonderful time.

Cindy and Lisa love these holiday craft fairs and their exuberance distracted me from noticing that the picture was BLURRY!  Sorry girls!

As you can see from Cindy and Lisa's smiles and outfits, it was a fun, bright and festive atmosphere that goes so well with the Christmas music in the hallway and the squeaking of sneakers on the basketball court (which was close to my spot).

purpleheart wood heart with golden mother-of-pearl poinsettia inlay

As many of my customers that are good sports and allow me to take their pictures or their youngsters pictures for my blogs, there are many who prefer not to, which as I have said I absolutely understand.  One of those customers was a lovely lady who purchased 5 of my hearts; different sizes, designs.  I appreciate that so much and I think that if the heart doesn't represent the total present for someone, that it makes a great little addition to a main gift.  She purchased my newest design, this poinsettia heart which I was so pleased at how it came out.

Jen purchased this small redheart heart with pearl heart inlay and Hope liked my osage orange keychain heart with antique skeleton key, an idea that came about as a gift to my neice's daughter, Aundrea, which symbolically says "you are the key to my heart."  

Thanks Hope!  Take the time to look closely at the heart, slowly move it around and watch it shimmer and change.

Thanks Jen!  That pearl heart inlay looks 3D!

I LOVE ALL THESE SMILES!!!!!!

Deb, you and your teammates do a super job!

Deb, who is part of the incredible team that makes this event run so smoothly, always buys something from me and I want to thank her for everything.

What a great picture June!  It was worth the wait....right!

June saw the boxwood kissing ball that Deb purchased and since I always cart around all the extras, I had everything to make it for her.  This is the first year I've tried using the oasis ball instead of styrofoam for the boxwood because it absorbs water for the boxwood to last longer. Boxwood does dry fairly well though, it doesn't lose all the leaves.

long-lasting boxwood tree arrangement

Lisa, the epitome of bright, winter comfy-ness!

What a pleasure to speak to Lisa, a customer from last years show, and hearing her story about her purchase. She bought a similar boxwood tree arrangement for a yankee swap gift.  She thought it would be THE gift to get at the swap and to her surprise the recipient of the arrangement SWAPPED it!  Well, the person who got it after that loved it.  She said it lasted until February! That's what so great about them that not everyone realizes, you get a lot for your money and what a great story, thanks Lisa!     

Well, every show is different and you cannot always predict what will sell.  If you think about it, it seems so logical that if someone doesn't have any children to buy for, they will not stop at the doll or toy truck booth.  If someone is only looking for jewelry, they will not stop at the candle booth, etc., etc.  So you just keep "the right frame of mind" and accept it, but always look to improve.  At this fair I didn't sell one bag, sold only a few evergreen arrangements, but sold many hearts.  I sold out of my small hearts, but for 2 with dot inlays. Consequently, I am making hearts!  I just had delivered some big leaf curly maple that is incredible and is only grown in Northern California, Washington and Oregon, along with Honduran mahogany and east indian rosewood.  So, I better get working because I need them for Thursday at the Intown Holiday Market! 

I stand behind all my work/creations, but am always working and learning and trying new things and want to know if anything ever fails with an arrangement or something I have produced.  I can make it right for you!