Being at Zapp Hall

With each show you just never know what will sell, what other's are looking for, or even what kind of weather you will encounter.  I've learned to pack as many clothes as possible just to be sure.  Spending two weeks away from home and at the Zapp Hall show twice a year is normally my vacation time, but there's no sitting by the beach (or my tent) drinking frutie drinks with umbrella's, it's hard work.  The setting up the weekend before, hauling two trailers down and setting up our tent is hard on a body (and pocket book too) and with gas prices going out the roof you've already been out a lot of money before the shows even start.

Despite all of this, I've still always enjoyed the show.  Meeting so many wonderful people and selling of course is what makes it fun.  I search all year for things that I love (it's true if I don't love it I don't buy it).  I used to buy things just because they were old, but then I was normally stuck with them and then had to figure out what to do with them.  Most of things I find are not near my home, but the reality is I have to normally drive hours and hours before I find the kind of things that make my heart skip a beat. I must admit it really is getting harder to find things at a reasonable enough price that I can sell them at.  I'm not sure that some realize HOW HARD WE WORK in this business.  I wish just once someone would "intern" to help me at a show.  Hey there's your next reality show. 

On another note, the Fall Show is up in the air right now and all shows for me are at this point are "ON HOLD".  I work fulltime, which I'm not sure many know this, and with major lay offs with my company I've had to make some hard decisions.  So, with that being said and being two years away from hopefully being able to retire, I've made the decision to put shows ON HOLD.  While junkin is my passion, my job pays the bills.  I will continue to sell at The Antique Company Mall in McKinney Texas and will be taking many things to the shop really soon.  I hope if you're in the area that you'll stop by and check out what I have.  I will probably know more about the Fall Show and if I'll be in Warrenton this next season more towards the end of the summer.

I already have someone great lined up for the next Blog Party and while I may not get to come out and sell I promise the Blog Party will go on, even if I have to beg someone to allow me to have it at their tent.

I wanted to show you one of my favorite vignettes that I created.  Several of these things you see here were bought from Karen, who used to be in the business (you can see her displays here).  She always found the best vintage things I've seen and her eye for display was over the top.  She was in a local shop many years ago and I couldn't wait to come in and see what all she had found.  Sadly she's no longer in the business.

The child's ballerina dress didn't last long.  The tall white piano top is still with me and I'm thinking this is going to be a keeper as is the dome.  I've been fortunate enough to find several domes for the last few shows and have sold them all.  I had two other ones at this show that both sold.  The cute little chalk dog at the top of the white piece also sold fairly quickly.  You can sort of see a vintage Santos doll in the glass containter that is super old.  She didn't sell either so she might wind up being in my home too.

I created a slide show to show you the rest of my booth at Zapp Hall:

Thanks for all the customers that stopped by, for the friends (new and old) that stopped in, and for the fun times I had with you all.  Stay tuned for my next post of The Blog Party.  What a fun time we had!!

I'm also joining Debra of Common Ground for Vintage Friday today.