..I've Found a New Place to Dwell..

Finally, I'm in packin' and leavin' mode..
Found a wonderful new place to live, on level ground so won't have so much trouble carrying stuff up and down stairs, walking the equivalent of a block with heavy laundry, and back and forth several times a day with my Market set-up on Saturdays...hooray!!
Now I need to stop all that second-handing, junking and garage-sailing for awhile and start planning one of my own..I probably have an entire roomful of stuff I could easily live without right now, and I have to figure out how to 'get tough' with myself..
May not be a TV reality show-worthy hoarder, but my 'stuff' increases exponentially with the amount of room I have, and since my new place, at least inside, is somewhat smaller, have to get rid of lots of great stuff...well, thought it was great stuff at the time!
Have to figure out what to do with all my crafting stuff in my new place..I could use one of those people who stop by and show you great ideas for storage- of course, it would have to be Oprah paying for it, too...
So all of you who blog about your wonderful finds at estate sales, flea markets, and yard and garage sales, too. spare a kind thought for me..I'll have to live vicariously through you until I'm settled in my new place..wonder if I will have to go through withdrawal symptoms... :(

DO Try This At Home...

I was attending the opening day of one of my local flea markets, strictly as a potential customer, and my favourite Tarot card reader/organic dry dog food maker was there..yes, it is an interesting combination of careers, but her little bags of doggie treats are proving quite popular...and I know, from personal experience, that she's a good card reader, too..
We were talking about local Farmer's Markets (she reads cards at mine) and selling venues, etc., when she mentioned something that I just had to share. Don't know if you all are aware of this, or if it's done in your area/State/Province/County/Country or not, but until today I was totally unaware.
I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, as many of you know..it's the central part of the Island, called Cowichan, where I live, and sell in-online, of course, and the location of my weekly Duncan Farmer's Market.
My friend is sending me to the Cowichan Tourist Bureau, because they like to promote local businesses, especially colourful ones that tourists would enjoy, and the promos are FREE!!! Free..that is a biggie..they go to trade shows and give out your cards to those attending from the cruise industry, bus tours, travel agents, etc. etc. And my friend is sending tiny little doggie bag samples..
Pretty hard for me to afford that, but figured I could give them a couple of hats to display..also, they have a roll of 500 free stickers to use on your goods that say "Cowichan Made"..too cool!
This kind of literally International publicity would be impossible for me to afford in real life..but who needs reality when the Tourist Bureau is able and willing?
So, think about this for your own businesses - even online businesses that are locally owned and operated, are of great interest to most Tourism agencies..I think it's a fabulous idea, and hope some of you out there can benefit from it, too.

Busier Than a Cat Covering Poop On a Marble Floor!

Pardon me for the vivid metaphor, but crocheting like mad for my Saturday Market and my two craft fairs for this month, one of them a three day affair...
Meanwhile, can't seem to keep these baby bearcub hats in stock..thought I'd share them with you..
My customers find them perfect for baby gifts for showers, or holiday gifts for those already born, and needing some coziness in the chillier season..
These are two I have just listed in my Artfire shop, and I'm making more..I also do custom ones for people who have their own ideas..let me know if I can do something for you, as a personal gift to your loved ones..

Show 'N Tell..What I Found While De-flea-ing the Sale..

I did fairly well at the Garage Sale this Saturday, making a good dent in selling my also-rans..
And kept the buying to a bare minimum (honest!) All I was tempted by was that beautiful wood oval frame, with perfect glass and backing; and a much-needed mixer, this one with a stand and bowl, and they came to a grand total of $2.50..(see above)
No, the real damage happened, as it often does, when I drove out to Cedar Road to the Sunday Flea Market...
On the way there, I saw garage sale signs pointing up to an amazing old two story outbuilding, all gray and weathered, the way proper old barnwood should be..inside in the dim light, one sweet older lady selling her handmade goods and a few bits and bobs..and a wonderful old, slowly-being- restored 1934 Ford truck..a beauty!
I drive a little Ford Ranger, which I love, so it was great to see it's ancestor resting in that place that was close to it's age...
From her I purchased that wonderful wicker stool/table, sturdy enough to hold my immense weight, and wonderful for either seating or as a table..
for the princely sum of $5...
As for the Cedar Road Fleafest..a bit disappointing..all I got there was a wonderful little front porch rug, a miniature version of a Persian rose pattern, and an artfully practical two-tiered basket with a lid and handle, in beautiful woven and laquered straw, with lovely fish carvings running down the handles...the rug was $1, and the basket $2...
so, for the entire weekend, I spent the terrific sum of $10..
Not too shabby...but rather chic...