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Holiday Fair Season Off With A Bang!

Over the past few years I have learned more about who my customer base is and the best times of year for me are.  Turns out I’m like most retail shops – before the holidays is the busiest time! Often businesses make 40% of their money leading up to December.  I’m no different so I’ve learned to do less summer fairs and pack them all into the fall.  This makes for a busy couple of months but it also makes my efforts, time and investments worth while.  This month both the Mt View fair and the Pleasanton Harvest Festival went well and I hope that’s an indication of good things to come.  I have 9 more shows before Christmas so most weekends will be very busy.

I’ve found though once I do a few in a row I really get the routine down and things are easier and less stressful.  My boxes are full of everything I need.  My truck stays packed and I’m ready to go!

It will be very busy but fun as well.  There is nothing like a high from a successful fair where you sold products that you put your heart and soul into.  To have people connection and appreciate that is a feeling like no other.   I am so grateful to my customers and their support!

 

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Love Lake County

valleyfirecomplex

Saturday night as I was driving home from the Mt View Art & Wine Fest I could see an orange light glowing over the hills to the east.  I thought “Could that be a fire?” but then thought no.  In the morning as I took the dogs for a morning walk ash rained down like so many gray snow flakes.  It was the Valley Fire which started in Cobb, Lake County.

I was nervous to leave the animals but had to drive back to the fair Sunday morning.  Lucky for us the fire was headed the opposite direction so I did feel okay to leave for the day.  Evacuation would be so stressful but doable so I watched the fire updates from the fair.

valleyfirecomplex

This fire is so terrible and fast moving that close to 600 structures have already burned.  What absolutely killed me were the reports that people had to flee so quickly that they didn’t have time to take their pets and livestock with them.  I just started crying for all the devastation and animal lives lost in this event.

 

As of this morning:

  • 67,000 acres burned
  • 15% contained
  • 13,000 people displaced
  • 9,000 structures threatened
  • 585 homes destroyed
  • 2.362 fire workers
  • 4 injured firefighters
  • 1 confirmed death

If you feel moved like I did to help any way you can there is a website set up for item and financial donations.  Lovelakecounty.org has lists of organizations that are helping and what they still need.  I just gave a financial donation to Wine Country Animal Lovers so they could get whatever they needed.  My heart goes out to all who are affected by this tragedy.

 

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Made Local Marketplace

north san fran bay makers

booth photo

First off I want to offer up FREE Harvest Festival tickets to you dear folks while they last. They are for the upcoming Pleasanton show September 18-20. Check out the details here and see if you can attend. If you want one or two free tickets (normal admission $9) email me ASAP as these are first come, first serve. carole@plumblossomfarm.com
Hope to see you there!

 

 
Now I would like to highlight a wonderful shop in Santa Rosa that features over 400 local artists work. All the artisans involved are from Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Napa, Lake and Solano Counties.

madelocalmarketplace.com

It is a beautiful collection of items from jewelry to textiles to pottery that this shop has on display. When I went in for the first time to drop off my felted soaps, kits and cat toys I was drawn to peruse and wander through all the gorgeous hand made goods. I could not stop myself and even walked out with a lovely turquoise bowl from Sebastopol.

Their vision is to support and promote quality products, services and experiences that are made in the six-county North Bay region. By helping local businesses and entrepreneurs they foster regional economic development and increase the overall quality of life throughout the region.

made local sonoma

Everyone involved in this venture is so warm, friendly and kind. They are the type of people you want to work with and support. They also have a wholesale division called North Bay Made which connects makers and local retail outlets. I am honored to be a part of that business as well.

So if you ever have need for a gift for a friend or yourself and are nearby downtown Santa Rosa please check out this eclectic, unique collection.

 

HOURS:
Thursday 11-5:30
Friday 11-5:30
Saturday 11-5
Sunday 11-4
707-583-7667
531 5th Street
Downtown Santa Rosa
Located in the middle of the block between
Mendocino Avenue and the Plaza mall.

north san fran bay makersKelley from Made Local Marketplace actually hooked me up with a wonderful opportunity this month. She suggested me for a video project that highlights local small businesses with heart. Keep an eye out for this video once it’s finished this fall. I’m excited to see how it turns out as well!

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Shows:

Next weekend:
Mountain View Art & Wine Festival – A Cultural Community Celebration
September 18-20 Pleasanton, CA: