The Lampshade Lady Blog

Can We Take Our Businesses to the "Next Level" & Stay Small?

I often ask myself, Can we take our business to "the next level" and stay a small business at the same time? I was in Saratoga Springs today joining 30 creative women at Schuyler Pond Antiques and Shop. The editor of Where Women Create, Jo Packman shared her story and generously gave the group of woman many positive suggestions to promote and grow or start their business. I'd say there was a wide variety of women in various stages of their businesses. Also included in the event was Jen O' Connor of Earth Angels  and some of the artists she represents. Here they are after our breakfast talk.  

I have only recently seen Jo's magazine, Where Women Create. It reminds me of Mary Englbreight's magazine that is no longer around. She highlights many creative, talented women showing off their work as well as their work spaces and homes. I look forward to receiving more issues of the magazine. Jo was impressively down to earth and frank about the industry and her trials of her busy career. This is a busy lady! Love it. She is a DOER!!! yipee. My gut instinct is she is what she is! Certainly something  rare and wonderful that I have yet to see in the publishing world, granted I have only been in it since 2008, in it's hairy/scariest of times.

Jo is all about helping women promote and grow with their businesses. It is a strong time for women bloggers and creative businesses. Don't you feel it growing each year? Think of how many great blogs there are on the web.  She mentioned as corporate jobs have diminished it has been an opening for small companies to come into the forefront! yay. Jo and Nancy Soriano, past editor of Country Living, are hosting The Creative Connection this fall, Sept.15-17, 2011 in St. Paul, MN. Lots of speakers, workshops, etc are planned for 3 days. I'd highly recommend this if you are trying to start a business or need inspiration. Sounds like great pitch sessions, blogging, publishing, etc. Not sure if I'll make it unless they need one more workshop teacher; that would be fun. 

Back to my first querry. Can we continue to take our businesses to the next level and continue to stay small? I say, YES. Today after the brunch, I wandered into Saratoga to a few of my favorite shops and then on to the Big Box stores for "stuff" like a new fan, new grill, sheets, light bulbs... all that stuff I can't find here in Pawlet. I needed some pillows for my kitchen chairs, I looked everywhere. Yuck. all so ugly, nothing great, nothing creative, nothing very well made either. Which got me thinking about my quest to keep my shop small. I think it is the best time to specialize in Lampshade Making or all the other creative possibilties. The world is mass produced. Yuck, fine for my fan, sheets and grill, but not for all the special things that make our house our own.

Sure, I'll never get super rich keeping my business small, but that is not my end goal. I am however, very,very busy. Even during the downturn/worst of the ressesion I stayed super busy. More than ever we have need for handmade treasures to satisfy our need to slow down this fast paced world of crappy made stuff arriving in container ships made who knows where. (I just read we are suppose to keep cynicism out of our blogs.... opps.) Equally, we get such satisfaction going to meet our neighbors at our farmers market and buy beautiful veggies grown right around the corner. Local, Local, Local! 

I contend that yes,  we  can grow to the next level and keep our businesses small.

I'm pretty good at marketing, scribbling here on my blog, I enjoy meeting people and especially love my customers that come back lampshade after lampshade, but I have had to push myself beyond my comfort zone many a time. I still have lots to learn about my computer and making my blog look better (I can't figure out to make 4 pictures in a box... note to self to goggle this),  I force myself to learn a few new things each week and yes, the knowledge really does accumilate. I used to be shy and still can be in new situations, but never in my own shop! In the beginning of my business, I forced myself to do craft shows to help me get over being so shy. Now my friends look at me lunar when I tell them I was shy... we grow to the next level. Working on my Lampshade Lady book was way, way out of my comfort zone, but a fantastic challenge. Who knows what the next big challenge will be, but right now it's getting a special order out in time to arrive for a photo shoot in Brooklyn, NY, cleaning up the piles of fabric in my shop for Memorial Day Weekend and finishing up painting the other side of my shop porch (I did the other side this am at 7:30 before going to the brunch).... 

xoxo,

judy

Come on up for Memorial Day VT. Open Studio Tour (I'm not on the tour this year, but I'll be open right through the weekend. Sat. Sun and Monday.) 

Quirky Mixes of Pattern: love it.

 I was putting my shop back together this week after my Brimfield adventure. Oh, it's quite a project to get everything unpacked, cleaned up, floor washed, lamps plugged in,  fabrics back on shelves....but in the end it looks fresh or at least half way there... still working on it 4 days later.

The is lamp/shade combo was not something I'd ever thought of. This is a wonderful transferware lamp. It is not perfect; I bought it knowing it has a major repair, but color and pattern swayed me anyway. I've always loved this Susan Sargent fabric and have this same shade at home in a smaller version. It's a keeper.
Fun mix and match. I know it's not everyone's thing.  Makes me smile.

gotta run, thunderstorm is coming... more rain.

xoxo,

judy

ps. if you are in the area, Spring Fling at Schuyler Pond Antique Shop this weekend. Jen O'Connor of Earth Angels and Jo Packham, Editor of Where Women Create have created an event at my friend Amanda's very cool shop. Check out the link and head to Saratoga.

yikes, thunder's here. bye.

My Week at Brimfield Flea Market

Another week at Brimfield is completed. The time went by so fast, but then it must be said it was quite a feat. Can you say organization... The key to survival is having what you need to pace yourself for the week. Water, food, inventory, enough business cards, snacks, warm clothes, comfy shoes, patience, friends nearby and hopefully good folks on either side of your booth. A group of us moved out booths to The New England Motel Show this year. Not sure sales were higher but we were all pretty happy about the show and the location, not to mention "real bathrooms", yup, just one of those things that makes a week of selling a whole lot nicer:)

All my neighbors were super nice, my good friends Judy and Tony Pascal and daughters were directly behind me which was great. We kept our back walls up and folks could walk between the 2 booths. It looked bright and drew customers into our booths.


A few of my neighbors at the show.



A few booth shots.

our favorite breakfast sandwich spot!
I picked up this early print from Mary as well as my most cherished pin cushion!
I was entirely in love with this vintage treasure. And I can keep it on my desk at my shop! I didn't get much of a chance to walk the show...so I didn't find too many goodies. A nice piece of ticking and also a nice early brown toile from Judy P.
A small piece of Mary Maguire's booth. Such a talented collector of antique prints and art as well as a master folk artist!
Great weather until Sunday. What more could we ask for. Wednesday was an early start. DAYBREAK. I woke up a 4am, popped out of bed and 10 minutes later into the car and onward to Brimfield from Sturbridge. I gotta say, I've never gotten up that early, but it was okay until about 2:30 pm and then we all started to fade. I was happy to crash at my hotel after the show, feet up and American Idol....couldn't have been happier. Wednesday was windy and cold until late in the day. Lots of clothes and extra socks, jackets, scarves and lots of cups of tea. Fortunately the next to days were grand. Sun, sun, sun.

I packed up at the end of the day yesterday, Saturday. Rain was forecasted and I'd had enough. Lampshades are always a hard sell out of my shop, but it is great advertising and pr. Lots of boutiques and shops come to Brimfield to find inventory for their stores. People were buying, but still cautious and trying to get the best price. At times down right insulting, rude, etc. Hey, we all want a bargain. For the most part the shoppers were lots of fun and very appreciative.

What was the hot sellers?  It's hard to know what to highlight for a show. How heavy to go in one direction. In most cases I have a pretty wide variety of inventory. The biggest trend the past couple of years are the Antique European Grain Bags. I had a pretty good inventory and most of them were snatched up pretty quick. Oh, I should have made more. Then of course you have more and they don't sell....... right? Drum shades are still a big interest. I brought smallish ones (they fit in my car) and could have used some bigger ones and also some more out of the grain bags, too.

I'll be in my shop all of the summer. This was the only show I'll be doing this year, but hope to go back next May. It's easier to help customers right here in Pawlet and over the phone and internet. Hope you will come up to Vermont to visit. Feel free to give a call to make sure I will be in the shop. I am usually there, but sometimes I do have to be away. Shop is usually open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10-5. I try to leave my schedule on my phone at the shop. 802-325-6308.

I'm Brimfield Bound: It's almost here!

I've been putting in long hours the past few weeks to bring the prettiest lampshades down to Brimfield Flea Market next week. My favorite time in my shop is that just before a show or an event. I have found the best stuff is made just before a show. I figure my  time is limited and WHAT is it that I REALLY want to make. I wish I had taken a picture of my desk on Monday.... It was one of those designing days. Totally attention deficit day.... from one idea springing onto the next idea and then, oh ya, I'll do this too. One of those days that flew by. By the end of the day I had 6 projects prepped and started. And I must say great shades....

And again this afternoon I got to do it all again, start designing again... today I searched out this old baby redwork quilt and prepped a few shades. I also dug out a Poppy Society Silk dresser scarf; I'm using it for a scallop hex shade. I also finished a pair of shades made from choice Vintage French Cotton. The trim stumped me for a bit...eventually resolved the decision. And also have thoughts of a few grainsack drum shades, too.    

                                                                                                                                                Bouret Photos                                                                                                                                                               

The Spring Brimfield Flea Market starts next Tuesday May 10th. There is a mile of shows opening up different days and times. This year I will be setting up at The New England Motel Antique Show, which opens at 6am on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday there is a 5 dollar entry fee but most likely the best stuff is out the first day. Look for the big food court! Everybody ends up at the food, right? I am booth 66 which is on the left side, midway back. Next to me are my good buds, Mary Maguire w/ her wonderful nautical folk art and antique prints and Philippa Katz's Barley Corn Gallery prints. Just behind my booth is Judy and Tony Pascal from Judy Pascal Antiques. Just down the row is another Vermonter, Wendy Lewis w/ her divine European Textiles. It's be a wild week a chatter, selling and Prosecco. And so far the weather looks perfect.  Here's the show map.

Not to forget the Vintage Textile and Fashion Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge. Sturbridge is just down the road from Brimfield.  The show opens Monday May 9th. I'll still be in Vermont working and wishing I was there. 

Above is the Brimfield Show map courtesy of The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, a favorite antique magazine of most antique lovers and flea marketers. There is parking available at most of these shows; generally 5 bucks or so. Man, my feet are sore just looking at the map! Ha. Yikes. No fancy shoes here.... comfort rules.

Oh, How I hope everything will fit into my Honda Element....I'm thinking I ought to put the roof carrier up tomorrow. Packing up for a show is such a jigsaw puzzle. I don't do many shows anymore and get out of the routine. The "to remember list" will start: light bulbs, duck-tape, fabrics for back drop, props, tables, stool, chair, omg... here we go. Always lots of water, electric tea kettle, fruit, snacky foods to keep the sustenance, a few Stellas. I'm very happy to have electricity this year!!! yippee, it's hard to sell lampshades without light. The pile will start Saturday. 

Hope to see you there. Bring comfy shoes, water, layers of clothes, lots of money, granny cart, camera and a smile! The weather report looks beautiful as far as I can see!

xoxo,

judy

update may 10: just set up my booth at New England Motel. Nice spot and booth is super great. I am happy to be set up at this location. It's a 6 am start, so it's early to bed. Weather sounds great through Friday.

booth 66 New England Motel Antique Show @ Brimfield.

May Day Hike up Haystack Mountain in Pawlet, VT.

 
May Day Hike up Haystack Mt.

We hiked up Haystack Mountain today, our special little mountain in town. It was a group of Australian Shepherd owners Meet Up group. I have missed all the other meet ups, but today begged me out for a hike. Oh, am in such horrible shape... too much work at my desk. Way too much... Maybe this will get me out walking; some days aren't long enough. 

A view from the top. Only about an hour hike up and a beautiful view of the Mettowee Valley. I've never seen so many wild flowers. About half way up they were carpets of wild flowers. I figured out most of them, but think I'll get my Audubon Wild Flower Book out.

Even the dogs were tired at the top. Ziggy is our doggie, the one in front and Vito is my friend Anita's dog. This is their first meeting which was really fun because they came from the same breeder, but different litter. They loved each other at first sight. 

Here's the whole gang. One dog of each color! They all got on so well together; guess they talk the same language. 

It's back to work Monday. My little shop had a structural set back. The porch retaining wall gave way on Thursday... I have been waiting for it to happen, but definitely found ways to put it off; considering it was going to cost $$$$.... fortunately the local foundation guy wasn't busy and starts this week. omg, what a project and distraction just before Brimfield. Fingers crossed there are no big surprises.  Wish me luck.