The Lampshade Lady Blog

May Brimfield 2013 Has Come and Gone

The Day Break opening at New England Motel! In they come!!!

 

 What a fast week it has been here at Brimfield. I am posting here on Sunday morning; always a little dreary--- but a chance to make those last few sales. I usually don’t bother with Sunday, but seems like the customers seem to be “happier” parting with their money. By all reports from vendors, Wednesday, opening day here at The New England Motel was one of the best in years. It’s been a long 5 years for the weary economy and if this week is any indication it seems to be coming out of the fog. Thank god. Creativity at it’s best is trying to sell when the 99% are hanging onto their hard earned money.

Weather is a big topic of conversation and study at any outdoor event. It is a huge indicator of sales. Too steamy hot--- forget it--- customers get hot and confused and boy it’s easy to get lost amongst the rows and rows of booths! We had the great weather, only one hot day but it was well enjoyed after a frosty morning the day before. Who knew icy windshield this time of year.

I’d bet the gate numbers are way up this season. Here is the film crew for Flea Market Flip. I'd dare to guess the TV Flea Marking reality shows have encouraged for folks to come out to the flea. On the way to my booth yesterday, I walked through Shelton’s Show;  Flea Market Flip was there prepping for their day. What a huge crew of film guys, assistants and gear! I heard a few grumbles from some of the vendors, but heck it’s great publicity for them. Seems like the public has learned a few buying skills from these shows- good and bad. Several inappropriate offers were heard to have been made…. like an item is 75 dollars and 40 dollars offered- sort of insulting to the seller. A few dollars is usually expected and within reason.

Many great sales were had to the big chain stores; shopping for art/store display/ephemera as well as fashions and textiles for copy or inspiration. Not me, but many LUCKY vendors---the buyers come with HUGE budgets; how fun to spend someone else’s money shopping. At least for a little while! My booth partner was lucky I opened her display as she was late to arrive and a J.Crew buyer made her week!

When I am here selling it’s hard to get too far way from my booth to shop. One morning I went to the opening of the J and J Show- one I enjoy perusing. There’s a few fun textile folks there- a real mix of sellers. I found a few nice things, well worth the 5 bucks and walk around. Then strolled through the other markets on my way to my spot at New England Motel Show. As always it’s fun to peek at Central Park for more fabrics and trims. Found a few great things, but was getting late by then and scrambled back to open up the booth! I had a good day selling that day, must have been my happy buying !

love this! only lamp I found! nice color and size.

Clouds are starting to come in this morning; I think the rain will hold off this tonight! See, here I go about the weather!  Socks on, socks off and socks back on…. The shoppers are starting to make their way here, best put my scribbles away and be chatty!

Happy Flea Marketing and may YOU find some great finds.

xo

judy (one tired flea market puppy)

Brimfield is just around the corner...deep breath

 

May is the BEST time to head to Brimfield Flea Market!  It's the only one that works for me, but summer is hot and fall can be fickle weather. Fingers crossed we haven't used up all our sunny days by the 15th!!!
New England Motel Show opens on Wednesday. Some shows open on Tuesday and run till Sunday. I usually am packed up by Sat PM. The Vintage Textile Show is on Monday in Sturbridge, MA. I head down on Tuesday for set up and settle in for the week. (My Vermont shop will be closed)

I'm sharing a big 20x20 tent with my friend Philippa this year! Dear friend Mary is just around the corner, Tex and family are across the row, Wendy and her beautiful textiles are just down the way.... friends are made, fun is had, sales are made, lobster rolls eaten, procecco opened, red wine sipped, cheese nibbled on, new connections are made and hopefully the economy is a little rosier. We do make it fun as well as the hard work to pull it all together!

The lists of "must bring things" starts soon. The bag with the duck tape, electric tea pot, pens, receipts, business cards, omgoodness, the list is long, but years of experience makes it easier, oh ya, the cork screw...can't forget that. I find most important piece is that if I am organized I don't have to rush and can just enjoy the process.

Today's project: I didn't have a room for Tuesday night and thought I'd wing it... but today I  had a better thought and found a room online... yipee. Cross that off the worry list. Nothing like a good night sleep, hopefully, especially for the early morning start of day break. Last year my alarm/radio had been turned down in my hotel----sooooo I couldn't hear the alarm and over slept, phew and couldn't park at my show as we have to be there by 5am; a little early for the lampshade lady. I had to park way down the row and pay for parking and scamper all the way to New England Motel Show. I figured those early dealers aren't really my customer anyway and just not fret about being late. I grabbed a breakfast sandwich and finally got to my booth. No biggie.

Hope you come visit the shows. My booth is #65; if you are facing the show it is on the left side middle row, near the back. A great spot! Bring money, water, sneakers!  New England Motel Show is in the middle of all the shows on RT 20, BY THE FOOD Court! One of the perks of the location!

There's lots of info on line about times and show openings - check out this link. There are 20 shows and they open at different times, staggering them so dealers can race from show to show to find  the best stuff or others like to run the other way and hit the fields that aren't busy.....(that's me:)!  Most of the shows have parking; it isn't a big deal, usually no problem and cost 5-10 dollars.

xo

judy

diy lampshade making = use the right materials

                    
                            

  There are a few basics that can make or break a lampshade. It totally helps to use the right stuff. Slinky grosgrain could drive you to nutty... crummy glue... poor fabric can be impossible... some of this is repetitive for some of you, but these are questions I'm email every day... so here goes.

1.) use the right grosgrain. 40% cotton/60 rayon. Most craft stores carry rayon or poly. Order from The Lampshop or other on line sources.

2.) use quick glue; available at The Lampshop. Transfer it into a squeeze bottle. It'll make your life so much happier.

3.)use a galvanized wire frame.... no rust- a happy lampshade maker.

4.) do great design. start with good materials & great fabric. great fabric is so much better than wasting time with poor quality.... I just finished  a shade w/ client's fabric was printed sooooo far off the grain of the fabric- impossible and will never look perfect as many times as I tried to line it up.

5.) I get asked a lot about the price of styrene. It's isn't cheeeep but one yard goes a long way. Just look at the price of nice lampshades. You can probably get 4-6 lampshades out of one yard of styrene depending on size of shade.

6.) The Lampshop  in Concord, NH is one of the main lampshade material supply sources. They have a very good on-line catolog. 

***Hope this helps out some of the  new lampshade makers! I'm so happy to hear there are lots of new lampshade makers in the works. I've been doing this over 27 years and still learning new things every day. I swear!  There is plenty of work for good designers. 

be brave + try new ideas + experiment + stick you neck out and have fun + go beyond average... keeping pushing your design skills and color combinations + stay away from cliched design trends.... they will be gone in a flash... who's so bored of chevons.... and maybe black....and even hanging light bulbs, thank god....I think good design is something you are  still in love for 10 years not 10 weeks!