Sunday, March 16, 2008

A Flourishes Hangover

I awoke this morning feeling dazed, confused and puffy. Puffy? It must have been those two Lemon Drop martini's I had with dinner last night. Ha! ;o) Actually, I think it had more to do with all the excitment (okay, perhaps not the puffy part) of Flourishes first event yesterday.

I have a really well functioning replay button in my head so it's easy to recount the days happenings. Funny how the replay button only works on things I WANT to remember. ;o)

People started parking in the drive about 20 minutes before opening. They waited so patiently in their cars while we scurried about bringing in fresh flowers and attending to last minute details. In my haste to make everything just right, the thing I failed to do was to take pictures of everything all set up. (Insert a very sad face here.) Sigh.

The first two hours were crazy!! Crazy in the best possible way!! People familiar with the previous business here, Willow Nest, knew that if you wanted first dibbies you had to be an early bird. After ten o'clock the crowds came in waves. Very few and then a bunch. Very few and then a bunch. This carried through for the rest of the day and made it easy for everyone to take turns running in the house for a break. Well, okay, not running IN the house, rather, running INTO the house. Ha! Still, at days end, we were all exhausted.

Now comes sorting it all out and making sense of it. The business of figuring out what went well, what did not and moving on to the next event. The only negative comments that were overheard were the comments about the lack of my bears. Quite honestly, that bit of information surprised me! Unfortunately, I was so focused on making everything just so for my vendors that I neglected to finish my own work. None of my new bears, bunnies or chicks made it to the show. They're upstairs in my studio waiting to be airbrushed. Bummer. I suppose the upside to this is that I will have inventory for my website and the April show!! That's not such a bad thing. :o)

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

18 comments:

Laura Lynn said...

Congratulations Aleta!!! What a great time it must have been :)

Shantell said...

Aleta, my friend,

I'm so happy, thrill, tickle every shade of pink that Flourishes was such a wonderful success. I, however, sat at home in tears or near tears the entire day because after planning on being there this entire time...big X on the calender and then I ended up NOT being able come. I so wanted to show my love & support...(POO...DOUBLE DOO DOO POO!!) ;o( < this is me...big crybaby tears.

Hugs for you,
Shantell

Martha, Vintage Trifles said...

Aleta, Thank you again. It was beautiful and seemed like everyone was having a wonderful time. You guys did great!!! M.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Aleta & Bill! Sounds like "FLOURISHES" was a huge success, and will only pick up steam as it goes along. I'm sorry to hear your bears, bunnies and chicks missed the show, Aleta. I'm sure your devoted fans will wait for them 'til next time, and love them just as much then. Thank you for letting me be part of your 'launch' party! What a special venue for a wonderful gathering.
xoxo
Karen

Brenda said...

Hi Aleta,
Glad to hear the opening of Flourishes was a resounding success. As for getting EVERYTHING finished, the longer you're doing this, the more you will realize that "some little thing" will always gets overlooked or forgotten until it's too late. Trust me - I did huge craft shows for almost 20 years LOL!. CONGRATULATIONS ALETA AND BILL!

hugs,

Brenda

BumbleVee said...

So glad to hear all went well Aleta!
Take a day off to "re-coop" ...

Is it going to be open each weekend or just special days?

Auntie Joy said...

Hi Aleta,
What a BEAUTIFUL party, I know it was an event but felt like a party to me!! Everything was wonderful really lovely, what a treat for all of us. It felt like a little piece of Spring!! Can't wait until the next time!!
Hugs to both of you hard workers!
JOY!

Nancy said...

Hi Aleta...
So glad to hear you had a successful first event. I know there will be many more successes. Well done!
Nice to know we can look forward to seeing your bears, bunnies and chicks...you had so much to think about...I am sure that was last on the list. Not to worry...next time.

The picture above is so pretty...so peaceful looking. Have a little rest on the swing now.

Enjoy your week
Nancy

Diane Duda said...

Congratulations, Aleta! It sounds like it was wonderful!
Make sure you take a few days to relax before you start getting ready for next time.

xo
Di

Adrienne said...

Hi, Aleta -
Oh, yesterday was just absolutely wonderful! You and your dear hubby were so sweet. I was amazed how you had any time to even smile and care for each of us. Everything was wonderful and arranged well. It was a beautiful place to be. After we left the building I 'sneaked' out to your patio and took a picture of your view. While tiptoeing past a caught a little glimpse inside your home. Those windows are incredible! All morning today I've just kept thinking how I wish I could live in a rural setting with a view and BIG windows. Like yours! (Don't tell anyone but while I played at church I think I 'drifted' back to your lovely place in my heart. Just for a quiet little restful memory.) Thank you so much for all of the hard work you did to make it such a success. I thought of your last night and was certain you were exhausted. I plan to be there next time. Check my blog tomorrow or the next day to see my pictures. If you would like copies of my pictures I'll be happy to send them to you.

I loved meeting up with blog friends and making new ones.

See you in April.
~Adrienne~

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Aleta,

I was so happy to hear that Flourishes launch party
was a success - well done for all your hard work.

I only wished I lived closer so I could come and visit your lovely event.

Enjoy your week.

Hugs
Carolyn

Lisa Johnson said...

Aleta,

So glad I was able to attend your first event. Everything was just lovely! You done good!

Lisa

Theresa said...

Dear Aleta,

I'm so happy that everything went well and that your grand opening was a huge success.... I didn't doubt it for one minute that it wouldn't be. Like I said before you have a wonderful eye for detail and that's what it takes....you go girl!!! :)

Big Bear Hugs,

Theresa

Debi Ward Kennedy said...

Aleta, you and Bill did a FABulous job! Everything was beautiful, the displays were divine (and we know it's ALL about the displays, isn't it?!)and you were such gracious and friendly hosts. I enjoyed meeting & talking with you both!

The vendors had such gorgeous products!! I was just SO inspired as I walked throught the Spring wonderland that you created. I can't wait for your next event, and for the chance to participate in the summer flea market...

Christine LeFever said...

It was magical, Aleta! Thank you so much for having my creations at your beautiful event. Your enthusiasm is astounding. It was an extra special treat to run into wonderful old friends who drove all the way from Bend!

I love my new Sweet Dreams sign and have posted it on my blog for all to see.

Christine

All Bear by Paula said...

The preparations looked wonderful Aleta and I'm so pleased your hard work and creative eye paid off for the opening of Flourishes ... I am hungry for pics though! Maybe next time hey?!!! LOL!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to look up where you are located, so when we go to Portland next month we can drop by. Glad you had a wonderful opening!!
Christine
Bend, OR

Wendy said...

I'm so glad you first event went well :) -- I only wish I lived closer I would have been the one sitting in the car waiting for you to open!