Power Shopping

After Two Days of Intense Buying, the ride is over. I know most of you think going to the Gift Shows and Market is the "fun" part of this job, and truthfully, it is. But it's also hard work, aching feet, glazed over eyes that burn (too much product to take in in one swoop, and so many colors all at once!), heart pounding while you charge hundreds (read thousands!) of dollars of merchandise on your credit card, or make orders with promise to pay on delivery or within 30 to 60 days.

These days, it seems that everyone wants to open a shop of their own. Either "for real" in a brick and mortar, or online. Because it seems so much fun! Until after the first few months, all of a sudden all the friends and people they know don't come back in, and there they are, with merchandise and no customers. Having a shop is W O R K, and it's a real business, too. It's less about pretty displays, being a "shopowner" and talking to customers and more about crunching the numbers, studying, learning, and just walking on a tightrope for years, until one year (hopefully) you feel less like a circus performer and things start to make sense.

Not meaning to scare you off here, just the facts, M'am. This year's market was much smaller, but I did manage to add a few more wonderful lines for fall and holiday. I concentrated on quality, beautiful product, things that will last. I am so glad that I can always get someone else to come with me, no matter how well you plan, an extra pair of eyes, and another brain at the end of the day (!) is a good thing. This year besides Karen Eileen, I had my pregnant girl with me. (she was a trooper)

Being an almost Grandmama made my eyes light up with excitement at some of the baby lines. Let's just say that the Mommy to-be had to be stern with me. She put her foot down a few times (the MTB) and mostly I obeyed. I ordered a darling line of baby clothes, that I just love. Hope you all will too. Think Mink for Babies. And little ears. And I did order bears, and a few huge Holiday ones, despite the shaking of the head of the MTB.

I was able to find two exciting new lines of Jewelry, you asked, I listened! I think you will love these as much as I do. They are timeless, romantic, vintage and modern all in one.

This collection is the perfect blending of Antique with Modern. Nice chunky chains, and made by the artist here in the USA, which I love!

This is such a gorgeous piece, with Freshwater Pearls, so elegant.

Then there is this fabulous Necklace, made with Sterling Chain, Freshwater Pearls and an antique Art Nouveau Brooch the designer found in Paris. One~of~a~kind. There will be more of these fabulous pieces coming, this designer/artist is local (California) and I just love her pieces. Unique, and timeless, with lots of French inspiration. She shops the Paris Fleamarkets for some of her accent pieces, so a perfect fit for Frenchgardenhouse!

Okay, hope you are having a good day so far. I am going to have to work hard today to make room for all the new merchandise, in a few days Christmas is arriving....and I want to make sure there is enough space for all the glittering goodness.