Bella Rustica 2012: A Recap

Hello everyone!  Well, it is all over this year.  Bella Rustica was a lot of work!  The weeks leading up to the show were a little crazy.  The Mr took Custom Chalk on the road to do a on location chalking for a schmancey wedding (wasn't allowed to take photos of his work... sorry!) about a week and a half before the show. So, we were pressed to get items finished and moved to the show.  We took at least 3 trailers full of *stuff* to the show and also had to haul Hazel.  When I got there to work on Thursday, it looked a little something like this...

I was a little overwhelmed for a minute, but then I dove right in to get it finished for the show the next day.

We had a loose *old school* theme with lots of old globes, reading charts, chalkboards... the Mr. created an arbor to welcome guests to the booth and to give it a school yard feel.  

He even found an old bell which was broke by this guy:

This little man had a grand time running around like crazy and making friends with the other kids there.  At one point it seemed that he had disappeared while we were setting up.  Luckily I quickly found him.  I was even luckier to have my sister come and entertain him for the next 2 days.  They hung out in Hazel and ate quite a few ring pops while the Mr and I worked the booth.

And, we were busy!  I tried to snap some shots before we opened each day, but it was pretty dark in there.  I had also planned on instagreamming the day and the experience and the people we met, but we had terrible reception in there, so the photos wouldn't post *frownies*

The Mr. chalked me 2 huge boards for the show and I love how they turned out.  I am hoping to keep at least one for the shoppe.

We had a nice, wide booth this year that Hazel was able to fit in instead of her being separate, which helped immensely!

We had been collecting school stuff for a few months to bring this all together.

I love globes and they were a big hit at the show too!  Lots of them found new homes!

This  was a little bit of a slow time.  We had a primo location... right across from the stage and pretty close to the fried pickles.. the only fried food I really like!

My original plan was to set up Hazel like a little camper homestead with a clothesline and a yard.  We weren't able to do exactly that, but I still managed to find a vintage clothesline and hang some towels to sell.

One thing I really love is lighting... I mean, I love most vintage items, but I LOVE creating lamps and lampshades. 

We created some out of vintage porch columns and ours have the cloth cords and pretty sockets too.

I finished a pair of chairs for the show and I think I will have to have them cleaned now.  It was dusty in there!  I am having to dust all of our goods before they come back into the shoppe.

The Mr. had a few pieces left from a recent show he did and brought them with him.

He was put to work by the vendors.  He is doing a few custom boards for the vendors and this is one that he did onsite for our neighbor Cat's Carpetbags.

Okay, onto *regrets*  This year I totally planned on getting photos of the other booths and the other vendors and guest... this year Donna from Funky Junk Interiors  was there (and quite the sweetie!)  But, we really didn't have time.  The last afternoon I went around and shopped a little.  I had heard that a Wolf dress form was sold on the first day *sobs*  That is one of the things I have been lusting over.  I did come home with a really cool suitcase from a local vendor, but I was mostly empty handed.

I pined over this piece... it was in supremo condition and was only $250 and was way more fab in person.  But, the fact is, it just doesn't *go* in our home.  It is the red I think.  But it was so fun!

One thing that I am SUPER DUPER excited about is something I traded these sconces for... Sweet Deann fell in love with them.  And, I have admired her work since I met her last year at the show.  She is simply a doll!  She asked the Mr to come down to her booth to pick out some paintings.  Well, that night I had a brain storm... I thought it would be great to have her paint Hazel.  Luckily, she thought it was a great idea too!  So, in a few months, we will get our very own piece of commissioned art!

Like I said earlier, we had a great spot right across from the stage.  There were some great act like Cheyenne Medders with his wife Priscilla.  We purchased all of their cds.  They have a great folksy sound that I love.  And then, after them came the Secret Sisters.

  I hadn't heard of them before the show, but the Mr had.  Wow... they were wonderful!  The Mr. had some forethought and got them to pose in front of Hazel.  Was it forethought or a crush?  hmmm... *wink*  Anyhow, they were lovely with even lovelier voices.  And so sweet to chat with.

So, after 3 days of hard work and sales something is bound to go awry.  The week before the show, we had an eventful evening when the Mr. slammed the door into the cooler and it shattered the window.  Then, when when he went to leave, the car wouldn't start since some little hyena was "driving" me around that afternoon and had left some lights on.  THEN, when I went to pick the Mr up and jump start the car, it was out of gas.  So, we were pretty sure that the *fun stuff* that makes you say *bad words* was all behind us.  Then this happened:

Fun, huh?  The Mr. was the last to leave the show Sunday night and the lights had been turned off where he couldn't see well to back up (and it was raining... and he was out in the boonies...) anyhow, he cut it too sharp and landed the trailer off this 3 foot drop off.  Nice!  It took a tow truck and a tractor to get the trailer back on the road... it was filled with furniture and other goodies left over from the show.  Craziness, I tell you!!  

So, between the show and the excitement of this little incident, we have decided to take it easy this weekend and close the shoppe to take a little road trip or relax or clean the house.  It hasn't really been decided yet... we just need a change of pace this weekend.  

So that's all folks!  I will be back soon with some photos from the shoppe and the changes around the house... I have a brand new slipcover that I want to show you, but someone needs to buy my other sofa first!

bye for now~