Twist recap

I realize 10 days have gone by but it feels like only yesterday that I finished up at the wonderful and fun Twist Fair.



Show director Lexie Barnes and Co. sent many communiques to vendors leading up to the show and it seemed like there were an awful lot of rules. I decided to adopt a "let's see" attitude. Sometimes rules are for a good reason.

Although I balked when I first heard this, it ended up not being a complete handy cap that my display had to be on a table and only 24 inches high. I didn't sell a single full apron. Maybe because I had to display them folded in half. But I sold oodles and oodles of skirts and people from across the room could see all the lovely ladies trying them on. The beautiful ballroom space was pleasantly airy (because of the display rule, see?)

And the perks they provided to vendors - let me recount them for you. Beer tickets on Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner provided to vendors on site with a "lounge" to nosh in, free chair massage in said lounge on Saturday, and a great DJ all show long. I wasn't sure I'd want free beer during the Friday night hours but it was just the thing and I was able to give a beer ticket to my very handy assistant, Jeff.

The food was yummy and the masseur's style really worked for me. On the application she asked "what other vendors do you want to be near?" and I love, love, loved having recycle moe next to me as a result. I felt very well cared for as a vendor. If this is how it's gonna be, I say bring on the rules!

I met so many great people - customers, sweet friends of my cousin, Colee's, and other vendors. Some were very helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect from my next big adventure - the BUST Craftacular this Sunday in Brooklyn. Big Props to Casey of The Candy Thief and the Sara and Phil at Rocks and Salt for that!

These pictures are just a teaser. Hop on over to the Mountain Ash Design facebook page to see the complete albums.

Two Shows this Weekend!

I've never done this before but, you know what they say: there's a first time for everything.

I'm just finishing up the sewing (I think. I always feel there's more I could make!) of some very pretty skirts in new fabrics I've picked out for Spring. To kick off the season MAD will be vending at TWO awesome shows coming up this weekend!

I'll be at Twist Fair in Northampton, MA this Friday 6-9 May 7th (that's the "Market Party" folks, when they give free beers to the vendors. Not sure how this is supposed to help sales. I'll give a full report here next week.) and Saturday 10-6 May 8th. This is my first time as a vendor at Twist and I'm excited to experience it from "behind the table" so to speak and to meet some of the other artists who will be there. Check out the impressive vendor list and floor plan here. I'll be packing up my tabletop display for Twist (here's a picture of my trial set-up on my dining room table) and heading down tomorrow. Come see me in the central isle of the big room.

AND Mountain Ash Design will be joining two floors of vendors brimming with local talent at the Queen City Craft Bazaar in Burlington, VT on Saturday May 8th. Last weekend I got my alternate display and the other portion of my inventory to my stellar assistant, Lauren, who will be running my booth at QCCB. Come say hello to Lauren and many of my friends selling their amazing wares.

And just two weeks later come see me at the BUST Spring Fling Craftacular at the Warsaw in Brooklyn, NY on May 23rd (that's a Sunday folks). Check out the very animated vendor page here which includes some big names in the indie craft world. Big steps for this country mouse!