Semi Annual Soap Box. In honor of my fellow Makers. Yall get the word out, wouldya?

I realize there are about a billion pins, articles and the like on "FINDING a Great Craft Show," and "Being a GREAT Craft Show Vendor."  Then, there are a least a million more on setting up the perfect booth, what to bring and what not to bring - and, how to grow your craft business.  I know because you know, I have obviously read every one of them.  

After hearing a friend's horror stories from a weekend show - my cake was iced. 

Without further, adieu - I present : 

How to Be A Great Craft Show Customer 101

1. Shop. I mean for real. Lets be honest. Actually shop. Bring your money and lavish it on the vendors. With it, we are buying groceries, keeping the lights on and occasionally getting our nails done. Come. To. Shop.

2. Please. For the love of all things Holy, do not stand in our space, that we have rented, hauled, sweated, carried and almost been to divorce court to set up, and start talking about how you can do this yourself. Let's face it, you aren't, are you? Or, worse, how you and your girlfriends should get together and do "this" for a craft night. We are glad we inspire. We love it, even. Talk about how you can EASILY copy this privately, after you've walked out of our actual booth.

3. Standing in or right outside of a booth, trying to covertly photograph a vendors products, setup or etc is a NO NO. Let's just call it, well, TACKY. Would you like a photo of something? Here's an idea. ASK. If you display such wonderful manners, we probably won't mind at all, no matter what the reason. Just walk right up, say, I REALLY LOVE THIS, would you mind if I take a photo? Our eyes will glaze over and we will do whatever you want.

4. Look. Most MOST of what we "makers" are doing is no trade secret. If you can use a sewing machine, paint brush or hammer, you can probably come up with some similar ideas. Don't ask us HOW to do it, mmmmk ? We've probably been up til 1 am a few nights too many to get our inventory done, fed our kids mcds drive through, in the car, the week prior to, had our husband on the couch and haven't had a decent shower in a week. It's really not a good time for us to just SHOW you how we make this stuff. K?

5. Be patient. If you place a custom order at a show, don't call us in two days demanding your order. That two days post craft show is speng in a zombie like state, washjng our family some clean underwear and scraping the psint glue and etc out from under our nails. Give us about a week, maybe two. THEN, you can blow our phones right up. We too are people, with families, lives, grocery lists and even chickens to feed. We are grateful and humbled by every order. Seriously. We never EVER "plan" for something to go bad. Or take too long. Or be the wrong color.

6. Did you read the sign? This is a CRAFT SHOW. AN ARTISTS MARKET. No where in those titles do the words YARD SALE exist. Please don't try to haggle the price.... because really, after HOURS of time and frankly, mad skills, we then spend HOURS lamenting over the price of our goods. That $25 price tag came w some serious baggage. And yes, plan to be offended when we, the bleeding sweating crying artist would rather not sell anything than haggle over her SELF WORTH.

7. Idea. How about we show up at your house, and just release our children?  We could send them with explicit instructions to touch, pick up and throw everything they can find.  Cool, right? NO.  Yes, most of our stuff is breakable and delicate - because, hello, it's not made in China. We love your kids - most of us have at least a small soccer team living at our own homes - but, we would appreciate you keeping a close eye on your littles while in our booths.  Don't make us parent your young uns. And don't think we won't.  We tend to be a teensy bit protective of our goods.  

8. See #1 .  :-)

With this - you are equipped to go forth and LOVE ON your Crafters.  Go! RIGHT NOW! :-) Training session complete. 

There She Goes...(a Throwback Thursday)

I am fairly certain I dreamed up the idea of a Backyard Wonders blog about the same time I dreamed up the idea of a sign painting, furniture building business.  I think two years later is a nice place to start - don't you?

If you are reading this - then you must be a fan. Or my mom. Hi Mom. Before I begin anything - I want to humbly express my deepest gratitude for every LIKE on social media - every follower - every order - every repeat customer - every referral - and yes, mom - every load of laundry you did when I couldn't dig my way out from under a stack of orders.  THANK YOU. Those words are not even enough.

So - shall we take it back - to... the beginning?  A nice place to start.  And, being that it's Throwback Thursday and all...

There she is - the First.

Sometime two years ago - my precious Man called me from his job in Texas.  Away from his babies - and of course, me - he had had enough of the traveling life.  "I am coming home," he said.

I'm sorry. You're doing WHAT?

I will skip the um - colorful few days that followed.  A few choice words.  Some tears.  A whole lotta worrying.

Truth be told - Sweeter words could have not been spoken.  God was already at work.  In an effort to give Josh a project to keep us all happy and busy - and you know, out of divorce court - my father and law and Josh set out to work on a fancy farmhouse table for my dining room.

As you can see - it was not too shabby.  The word got out.  And I may or may not have had anything to do with that....  We built a few more tables - and it quickly became a family affair... brace yourselves, this next photo is a DOOZIE.

And we filled our garage

ith sawdust, stain and lacquer and sprayers and .....

And off we went - on an adventure that would and IS teaching us more about marriage and business and working together than ever before. And, buying our groceries, which is always nice.  

Oh, and, in case you are wondering - I painted a few more signs along the way... 

Here are my two Chiefs of Operations / Head Carpenters working away. They have this part down to a SCIENCE. That's my presh dad on the right, by the way. Just a footnote - He's the Man, just in case anyone ever asks you. 

And, as you can see, I do occasionally give everyone the day off.  Because I am nice. VERY. NICE.

Summing it up - the past two years havr been a lesson in TRUE partnership.  Partnership with my husband, parents and even my children as we have been on the RACHAEL TRAIN for two years now, seatbelts unbuckled and hair a hot mess. And even moreso than that - a lesson in humility and gratitude, for each one of you that have supported us in even the smallest way. We love y'all!