Viva's Vintage Market Set Up On Friday... Hot Temps, And Hotttie Me At 51.

Every year I have everyone set up their tents Friday between 4pm and 6pm.  Some can't make it, but let me know and we work out the details.

One of our new vendors (who had never even done a show before) wanted to know if he could come earlier.  I said sure, thinking I would set up my own tent and just be available to help others when they arrived.

I was the first to arrive and started unloading the tent, tables and basic props that I would store overnight.  Actually, I was really proud of myself... I set up my own tent and unloaded with no help.

Man, was it hot... and sticky.

I look up and another vendor has shown up with several friends in tow to help.  She had one of those really big tents that measures 10x20.  They were all fussing and directing, but got it up.  It was very clear I could just stay out of it.

About ten minutes later, out of the corner of my eye I saw some blinking lights, not thinking much about it.  A few minutes later an ambulance pulled up... right there.  EMT's jumped out and I went running over.  One of the ladies was laid out on a blanket... heat stroke.

After a thorough exam, it was decided she needed to go to the hospital.  

Quite a few first responders showed up, which was more than reassuring.

After she was loaded into the ambulance, I talked to one of the gentlemen responders asking him what would happen... and the weirdest thing happened.

He glanced down at my chest, back up and quickly made eye contact, saying "two hours of fluids and she'll be good as new".  

Very reassuring, but he did look at my chest, I kid you not.

What kind of first responder takes a quick "lookie look" when someone's health is in jeopardy?

Not the first person to be caught trying to check it out... although it's been a while.

In the meantime more vendors start showing up, everyone pitches in to help raise tents and the overall camaraderie ensues.  (This was the happiest and friendliest bunch of vendors)

I had been debating whether or not to unload a really large mirror that was in the back seat of my truck... someone might take it over night.

Oh, why not.  There will be more room in the morning for loading the rest of my stash.

It measures about 2 1/5 by 4 feet.  Ornate, with a gold floral frame.  Heavy.

I pull it out (alone, thank you) and start walking over to my tent.

My hands were on each of the longer sides with the mirror resting on my chest.  Walk, walk, one two three... keep going, you're almost to the tent.  That's when I noticed the mirror sticking to my chest, and "bouncing" along to the rhythm of my steps.  I gingerly set the mirror down, step back, notice that whole neck thing, then the horror struck.

Boob sweat.

  Proof not only on my shirt, but the mirror as well if you know what I mean.

From my mid section... up and over my shoulders, down my back, but only to a certain point.

I realized that every piece of "clothing" I had on from the waist up was soaked, and that paramedic couldn't help but worry.

It was then I remembered him saying to me, "now make sure you are drinking plenty of water, take care".

Sigh.

I was torn between crawling in a hole, laughing at it all or just letting denial be my friend, that he didn't notice at all... hence his "looking".  Oh well.

More later on the market itself and just how happy it was.

I went to bed that night pleased as punch, feeling lucky for the truly special vendors that were there, just bringing it.

Viva's Vintage Market This Saturday in Baileys Harbor!!!!!!

Finally!  My favorite day of the year!

I am also having my own booth this year.  I loved everything about hosting this event at the shop except for the fact that I was always needed inside and missed most of the action outside... not this year!

The weather is looking really good... hot and steamy this week, but Saturday..... 70 degrees, which means below 70 degrees in Baileys!

Just an FYI, the market is strong and crazy busy right off the bat.  If you prefer to shop leisurely, sip, eat and visit... come later in the afternoon, say 2:00 or so.  I miss seeing and visiting with a lot of you!  In the quieter afternoon, maybe we could catch up?!

Here are some pictures of markets past, enjoy and see you Saturday!

Sideways... sigh.

Wouldn't let me correct it, but you get the idea!

Photo Shoot = Serendipity Chapter Three.

 When I found the wooden chicken coop, I knew I would set it up on a large wooden crate and have it be the altar.  But that's all I knew.  I had invited Helene and Sarah over to see what I was thinking.  Neither were impressed, but politely so.  Helene suggested turning it around (which was visually lovely) because there was chicken wire on that side and she had a great idea about how to dress it with flowers.  I agreed, but at the same time it wasn't exactly what I was trying to portray.

I loved the prohibition idea and took it a step further by imagining the glamorous couple wanting alcohol, shenanigans and tomfoolery to abound.  However the location had to be top secret to keep the police at bay.

Set it up on a hidden farm surrounded by orchards, with no choice but to tolerate the farm animals.

I was on the phone with Kari (hair and make up).  We were discussing the ideas for the photo shoot when she mentioned that she has a State Fair 1st place prize winning chicken.  She even got a call from California, and that darned chicken was featured in and online magazine.  So funny.  Hung up.

Huh.

Ten minutes later I called her back.... "hey, would you bring your chicken along?".

Rachael pops by one afternoon, and because she's so food oriented I told her my idea for guests finding their table numbers.

I have another large chicken coop and I wanted there to be some type of small bite on a small plate, with the table assignment attached.  

Rachael, "A deviled egg!!!".

Done, and I can't wait to share those pics with you.

Okay, on with the day!

 

 This is my mom, Dianne.  I had some boiled eggs and told her to make some fake deviled eggs that looked picture perfect, which she did.  (She's a good egg, that one.  I can't tell you how many times she's just chipped in where needed).  One of the most repeated phrases of the day was "As good as that looks you really don't want to eat that".

 

Kari is still working on Rachael.

What I'm not showing you was the constant stream of 5 to 10 people always being in my kitchen and the mess.  And I mean mess.  I don't think my kitchen has ever seen the likes of mess as this was!

In the midst of the mess, Jesse was dressed and ready to go... waiting on us.  He noticed the large number of limes we had and asked John if we had some vodka.  So while the female clucking and futzing was going on, he made cocktails... handing them out to whoever walked by.

Smooth and cool as a cucumber (Jesse, that is).

  

 Here are my Mom and Dad.  Dad is in the beginning of setting up the altar.

 

 Time to start setting up the dining table.  Here is Katie doing what we did five thousand times that day.  Pack it up, set it up, pack it up.  If I had a nickel for every time she ran back to the barn or house...

 

Helene and I were a team on the table setting.  We mixed our props together to make a gorgeous set up.  Now you know, I can't really show you the end results, but you get the idea!

  

Molly had arrived and went straight to work.  Because this was a photo shoot, some things were over the top complete and some things were shot in snippets... hints of things.   The gentleman in the cap is Mitch Wise.  He catered Liz and Andy's wedding in Algoma last year, and I had the pleasure of getting to know him.  I'm going to tell you right now, hands down, the best catering job I've ever seen.  Not only is his food outstanding, his eye for presentation is spot on.  He came up with an entire menu, with a nod to the decade, and it was so creative.

Again, hints of things... "you really don't want to eat that".  It was beautiful to look at!

 

Working.  Notice the mirror leaning against the cherry tree.  Claire painted Mitch's menu on it.  It was gorgeous.  Claire did mention that it is a little weird painting on a mirror.  Seeing herself, her hand, the back ground... discombobulating to say the least!  She did a great job.

 

 I love this girl in the sun glasses.

For the bride and groom, there was a bit of down time while they waited on us to set up.

  

 In my mind, there would be great amounts of flowing fabric over the coop to keep it glamorous.... but the time was getting away from us and we just tossed it up there.  The wind kept blowing it behind the coop. 

Knowing Molly and the shots she would take, it would be fine.  Helene called it Medieval and I just went with it.

 

 It was supposed to storm that day.  Winds were picking up, the temps dropped and the clouds turned dark.  But nothing!

 The altar is almost complete.... everyone is waiting....

 And there it is.

I cannot wait to tell you the next and final chapter of this day... where the real magic came into full bloom.  For all of us.   My heart is smiling just thinking about it, still.

But not done just yet...

 On to Fish Creek and the Robert Wahl homestead.

I decided we would use this as a back drop for the reception.  Refer to chapter one if you don't know the history of this place.

While privately owned, it is not lived in and the look of it, matched up with prohibition really excited me.

Above is the groom's table.  Can't let you see too much.

 More reception... again, not too much.

And the infamous bar, but just a hint.

Spending the day creating with no real bride and mother, no limits, having the best people in the county (and state) working with and around you (Sarah, the cake designer is in the next post) was a dream.  Rough spots and all.

Whatever we could imagine we tested.

However... the real magic began next.

Photo Shoot = Serendipity, Chapter Two.

I'm going to let you in on a secret.  Amid the happy chaos were some serious flub ups.  Had it just been a real wedding, with big time planning, there would be no room for error and serious back up would have been  in place.

I was in charge of putting the "bones" of the fake wedding in place.  Told everyone involved what I would be using and doing and it was at their discretion to choose what they would contribute to the event.  This was our chance to really blow it out of the water.  Something not seen before, but not too crazy/artsy fartsy.

I will let you in on one of my less than stellar moments...

I sent Tara, the fabulous print designer one idea after another.  Told her here's an idea, if you have a chance this would be fun... let her pick and choose from my requests.

I found a great resource for cocktails from the 1920's.  The Bee's Knee's, Between the Sheets, French Side Car.  I would have her print the recipes for three different drinks, have all the ingredients there for a do it yourself bar.  Gorgeous glass ware, vintage shakers, and handful of pretty drinks to photograph.  All sparkly and glitzy... ballyhoo and shenanigans.

Sounds fabulous.

About 30 minutes before we were to switch locations and shoot the reception, I told Katie "Go into the barn and pull everything you can find to make a bar".

I had totally forgotten. Tara had sent many beautiful things but not the bar recipes. With so many details, this one slipped my mind... I mean I didn't even have any liquids.

Claire had made a fabulous sign on a large mirror that would hang behind the bar, but that's all I had.

All I had.

Here's why I had to share this part... we pulled it off.  It was an all for one, one for all atmosphere.

In about 20 minutes Katie produced a photo worthy bar, out of thin air.  Gorgeous.

Thinking back to some of the words uttered from others... "I don't know what I'm doing... It's all gone... You just have to make it work... You really don't want to eat it... Sometimes more is not more... It should stay up...  You know, I can do that for you...look what I found... It's not really about talent, it's about being tall".

It was a magical atmosphere, full of can-do people.  And we did.  If  one of us stalled, the others were there to cover and pick up the pieces.

This ends chapter two, and a lesson to us all.

One for all and all for one.  Always, and in everything.

Oh, and here's a teaser for chapter three:)