flea market boot camp, fountain hills day, and m.i.w.w. 2022 recap

february 2023

dearies-

a huge thank you to those of you who live in fountain hills, and surrounding areas, who have come to see and support my pop up shop at the presby pickins flea and artisan market!

and to those of you who are new subscribers, i warmly welcome you to my missives!

the flea has been my "boot camp" for our big, 2nd annual fountain hills day celebration on saturday, march 18th.

participating in this event has been my ultimate goal, and the church flea markets have been the perfect training ground. as with everything, less is more and i'm continuously practicing how to do just that. i only have so much room in my vehicle. not only do i have to fit everything inside (pink tent, tables, displays, merchandise), 
i absolutely have to have room for mr. dearie, my stalwart market wingman.

each market has provided valuable learning experiences and i've gained several insightful epiphanies after each one: i've streamlined my gift wrap station since november, crafted my own custom handled smaller gift bags out of my larger gingham bags, invested in table clamps to keep my sheer curtains from knocking over merchandise due to the ever present windy weather, and realized a booth apron was an absolute must. (i made my own customizing a vintage pattern while utilizing a retired toile pillowcase and upcycling parts of an apron which never fit yet had beautiful fabric...)

m.i.w.w.: round two!
this past november i entered into the arizona "make it with wool" competition for the second time, and this time in two categories. i'm pleased to announce i took second place in the adult category for my three piece ensemble, primarily made from upcycled j. crew and ann taylor wool scarves, and first place in the made for others category. for the this, i created an adorable shortie pj set for my youngest from two j.crew wool scarves in a pretty green and yellow cherry blossom print.

if you are interested in learning more about how both these looks came about and what happens at a competition such as this, you can read all about it here.

now, a bit of folly!
apropos of nothing at all, i was somehow nominated, and then won, for a "best of 2022" in the fashion category for lux magazine. if you've never heard of lux magazine, no worries. it may be because they are headquartered "over the pond".

here's a link to prove i'm not pulling your leg

i hope to see you at either the upcoming march flea and artisan market on the 4th and/or our big, 2nd annual fountain hills day event on march 18th. come by to check out new offerings, shop for yourself or someone special, or just to say hello. mr. dearie will be there as well and more than happy to share his latest vinyl record acquisitions with you if you're interested in such pursuits!

until my next missive,

xo,

darling