Happy Holidays Everyone!

Bazaar Sundays in South Bend wants to wish everyone happy and safe holidays.  We will not be open for the holidays, but rest assured that your favorite vendors will be showcasing their items in other local events.  We will post event listings for our vendors on our Facebook page.  Keep in touch!

Moving Right Along

 Our space is an ever-changing work in progress, so vendors may not always be where you first found them.  We mixed it up a little last month by putting vendors in the dance studio down the corridor until construction in Suite 11 is completed.  We are hoping to move all our vendors back in Suite 11 with more permanent stations.  Until then, with the holidays fast approaching, Bazaar Sundays will be focusing on providing patrons with a variety of items to choose from.

Each month has had a variety of different vendors, and we are always welcoming new vendors to join us each month.  So far, our faithful vendors have been with us through our growing pains, and we are delighted - extremely delighted to have them each month.  These vendors work hard at their craft, so you never know what new item will be available, or if the item you have contemplated purchasing will be available at our next event.  With every month that passes, we continue to grow into a stronger event as the bond between vendors gets stronger.

Viewing our Bazaar as a "mini-mall" helps us to remember that we might not always have many visitors, just like your local brick and mortar.  Being held within such a beautiful building, it is difficult to view it as your typical "craft show."  Most of our items are a compilation of mixed-media, so you know they will be one-of-a-kind items.  Items such as our health and beauty aids will be quality choices as their ingredients will be made with components of nature you just can't find in a manufactured brand.

Just a thought ...

So, we've been hearing lately that we are not one of the "happiest" cities in the country, but as we can plainly see, in the weeks past, it appears that there are many unhappy people ..... and we were not even aware of it.  As we drive around the many cities in our local area, don't we find that more and more drivers are just angry in general?  You have to wonder what makes people so unhappy or angry so much so that violence is the only answer, but does it really make anything better?  Happier?  All society is doing is creating a "domino effect" of additional unhappiness.

Jealousy, grandiosity ..... dare I say "immaturity?"  There are the "haves" and the "have nots," where do you fall?  Being a mixture of both, it is difficult to imagine being just one or the other, which in my opinion,  is very humbling.  I, for one, do not have everything I want in life.  If I did, would it make me a happier person - I think not.  What I really want in life is to be able to enjoy the simplest of things that don't cost much or cost at all such as sunny mornings, hot coffee, quiet, being outside without getting bit by a mosquito - you know ...... simple.  I don't ask for much .... ooh, I also want to enjoy a stress free, drama free life........ is that too much?

Ahhh, being stress free.  I often wonder what that is like, or if it is a real feeling to "feel no stress."  Just to wake up in the morning without my teeth clenched and my muscles sore ....... basically, I am my own workout routine while I sleep.  Where does this stress come from?  I am doing what I enjoy doing the most .... helping others, creating, designing, being.  Is this even too much?  For me it is.  I worry about everything.  Will it make them happy, satisfied, excited, successful?  Will they love it, hate it, "eh" it?  Even doing the things we love in life encompasses some kind of stress, but from what I gather, there is a difference between good stress and bad stress.  Either way, physically we feel like crap when it happens.

Where am I going with all of this?  Nowhere, I guess.  Sometimes, it just feels good to let it all out.

A Bazaar Sundays Collection

We had a great time this past Sunday at our first Bazaar.  If you were unable to visit us, don't worry there will be more ...... Every third Sunday of each month!  We will switch to the second Sunday for the months of December and June to leave your Sundays free for family time.  Click on the link below to see what you might've missed.

Bazaar Sundays in South Bend Album

Thank You .....

I want to thank the vendors who were so patient and understanding at our first Bazaar Sundays event; working with each other to smooth out a few layout changes! It was an awesome Bazaar Sundays yesterday and I think we all agreed that Suite 11 is a great home for us!

Of course, I want to also thank David Matthews and Velvet Canada for their support and for making it possible for Bazaar Sundays. A special thank you to Velvet for your early morning trip to the building to give us entry. Let us not forget our "angels of mercy," Sam and Jeff Borowski! Jeff, I seriously thought you were kidding when you introduced yourself; helping my husband, Matt, with making the chairs disappear, and moving that monstrous piece of machinery to give us our space back. Sam, I was sooooo happy to see you, and flipping the air conditioning switch ...... need I say more!

My husband was a real trooper, with only three hours of sleep, he not only moved the tables and chairs for us, but brought them all back in afterwards; brought in all of my inventory and display items and MY STARBUCKS (Grande' Carmel Macchiato w/2 pumps of the vanilla .... just sayin') COFFEE and FOOD! I couldn't have done this without him!

Pressed Flowers by Carol
RMV:Designs
The Dazzling Frog
The Lamp Lady
Just Been Charmed
Village Creations
Beads by Jo
Old Post Road
CYGI in the Bend
Dreams and Elements
Vintage Inez
Handmade Smilez
By the Hearth
Horse Hair Heaven
Jen Crutchfield, Certified Zentangle Teacher
J Bar Soap Co.
Buggga Bows
J & A Inspired Creations
Guardian Village
Reign of Chain

If You Build it, Will They Come?

An inquiring vendor asked me some pertinent questions prior to applying for our very first event this Sunday.  I do not have all the answers, and the answers I do have are still questioned, at least until after this event when I will truly be able to answer specific questions for vendors who are a bit reluctant to give us a try.  I'm including my answer to her response below:

"The Bazaar, for me, is my livelihood.  I dedicate everyday to promoting this event from 8am and beyond, and the existence of Bazaar Sundays in South Bend as a whole.  I’ve advertised in as many internet event searches as possible, paid advertisements through Facebook, Google and “In the Bend.”  I attempt to saturate the market with as many free advertisement opportunities as possible.  As this event grows, I have opportunities to advertise way beyond what I have now.  Being this our first event, and my attempt to acquire a more varied type of vendor, I cannot provide much more pertaining to traffic and such.  The event will be located on the corner of Jefferson and Niles in the East Race.  There is plenty of traffic by vehicle down that area since it is more readily used.  Jewelry is always going to be the more heavily handcrafted item.  I try not to have the same type of vendor, which of course when handcrafted there is a "better" chance of originality.

As a “starving artist” myself, I understand the life of a crafter/artist/creator/designer.  I know what it is like not to sell anything, and to sell only one thing.  I have set aside my craft for this opportunity to help others.  I design and create my own line of handbags, backpacks, dog carriers, polymer clay items, zombie dolls, etc. etc.  My small business is CYGI in the Bend dba Bazaar Sundays in South Bend.  My small business turned three in May.

All I ask of my vendors is to give me the opportunity to provide them with the best possible venue and event.  In other words, my vendor must have faith in my goal for these events.  I will be providing business cards for my vendors to use as advertisement for both the events and recruiting of more vendors.  “If you build it, they will come,”  or at least I will have the space for it."

Going With What We've Got by Jen Crutchfield: Imitation

Going With What We've Got by Jen Crutchfield: Imitation

Looking Forward ...

     Well, we're closing in on our first Bazaar Sundays event.  Vendors are looking great, and we are hoping for an awesome turnout.  Still waiting for a few vendors to finalize their reserved spaces, but other than that, we will have a full house.  It will be interesting to see how each vendor will be displaying their items, and also how many different ways we can situate ourselves into our new venue.

     I'm a bit nervous, this is my first solo event and also something that I have found to be enjoying and fulfilling.   I have to thank my predecessor, Drew Elegante, for giving me this opportunity and opening up a whole new World that I would have never thought possible.   At heart, I am a creator/designer with a passionate goal towards entrepreneurship.  I found that my ideas and suggestions were never realized while working for others.  Being stifled was not worth the paycheck.

     Since moving to South Bend six years ago, I have grown to appreciate shopping local.  The attention provided by a small business owner is amazing.  They really know their product - their specialty.  Of course, a shopper will pay a little extra for this type of attention, but it definitely is worth it.  Smiling faces from interesting, caring people.  Folks who will give you their "all" because they know it is you, the customer, that provides them the opportunity to be their own boss.  I love it! 

Watch us grow!

In Just a Few Weeks .....

In just a few short weeks, our first Bazaar Sundays in South Bend will be open for business.  We have such an awesome array of new vendors added to our list of, what I like to call,"members of the Bazaar Sundays family."  Through thick and thin, these members have never left our side:

Pressed Flowers by Carol

Just Been Charmed

The Dazzling Frog

RMV:Designs

Of course, we need to also recognize our returning vendors, who have taken a slight hiatus.  They have put their faith in our decision to change our name and venue:

Beadstitcher by Jo

The Lamp Lady

Goofy Moose Productions

It's always exciting to discover that a new vendor has requested to join us.  We hope to make their first experience a successful one:

Dreams and Elements

Vintage Inez

By the Hearth

Pretty Little Things by Jesse

Made with Love by Jamie

Bugga Bows

Handmade Smilez

Horse Hair Heaven

J Bar Soaps

July 20th is just around the corner and with a new venue, there are always concerns.  If I didn't have concerns about anything, I would definitely be concerned with why.  All I want is for these folks to have an enjoyable experience.  Helping people succeed is something that I enjoy.  Sure, I want to succeed also, but that comes with the territory.  If my people are happy, I'm happy.  Happiness = Success .... That may be a bit backwards from another's point of view, but it suits me just fine. 

Keep up to date on Bazaar Happenings....

Filling Empty Space

     Working every single day researching, hunting, and stalking, local talent is not an easy task.  Scouring the cities of South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen, Granger, and Niles, MI has uncovered many, many, many talented folks.  Some have had the luck of not having to hear from me because the craft that they are in has already been covered, so I save them for later .....

     If you've ever planned an event such as this, then you know that its not a "sit back and put your feet up" type of job.  I mean, vendors don't just come falling at your feet.  As a vendor myself, I know that putting out that money for a booth is a difficult decision.  Depending on what you sell and how much you sell it for, it might take you a good part of your inventory to cover your booth fee.  Times when the vendor doesn't make a sale can be a hard pill to swallow.  The vendor wonders if it will be a worthwhile event.  Is it getting the advertising/marketing it needs?   With all this in mind, one has to remember that not only is the vendor needing to earn more than just their booth fees back, but the event planner also needs funds to help pay for marketing/advertising, space rental, insurance, and of course, finding the right vendors for the event.

    Moreover,  I think the worst part of this process is waiting for a vendor to give you a "yes" or "no" answer as to whether they will be participating in the event.  So, vendors, please understand that we would prefer you to be straight forward with us, don't tell us what you think we want to hear.  You might not believe this, but every time the email "bling" sounds, its like that feeling you get when waiting for that "special" person that you have met to call you ... every time the phone rings, your heart skips a beat ..... no?  In addition, it's like being told "you do not have the experience we are looking for" when no one will give you the opportunity to experience the experience needed.

Why Not Bazaar Sundays?

    Finally feeling official.  After two weeks of waiting, we received our name change on our Facebook page, phew!  It's not that we do not want to be recognized as Bazaar Sunday at the State, we just want everyone to know that we are still in South Bend, just not at the State theater - that's confusing.

    With our new event on Sunday, July 20th we are hoping to attract a great bunch of people, both as vendors and customers.   We have so much great talent all around us, it is unbelievable that they continue to go unnoticed.  Sure, many have their own brick and mortar shops in which we congratulate for meeting their goal, but what about the virtual shops?  Many talented creators can be found on websites such as Etsy, ArtFire, etc., but is that enough?  Personally, a search through the Etsy website introduced this writer to many, many artists in the South Bend area alone.

     Bazaar Sundays welcomes talented folks to give us a try.  Invite friends, neighbors, and family to our first event.  Enjoy lunch at the Emporium, or take in the beautiful view that houses vocal, and instrumental talent.  The East Race Waterway will be open from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.  Why not shop, eat, race!

What's Going On?

     At first the initial impact of learning that Bazaar Sunday "at The State" would be no more was, to say the least, not what anyone could have foreseen.  We met some wonderful people, made new friends and contacts ..... we became a family.  Some of our family have become small business owners and opened their own shop, while others moved away to follow their dream with plans for success on their minds. 

     Yes, we had a good run at The State, but now we must move on.  Just down the road, not too far from where we first began. We will be in good company with  The Mole Hole, The Bee Hive, Just Goods, Marigolds and Ali Oesch Jewelry.  Of course, we will have Junk Evolution which is not too far, just down the "Hill" a bit.  Not everyone will be open on a Sunday, but we will ...... at 121 S. Niles Avenue at the corner of Jefferson Ave.  

     Plans to continue Bazaar Sunday began on Tuesday, June 3rd with new layout plans situated in a few different areas of the Emporium building.  The former Mole Hole store space will be the first step into Bazaar Sunday with much more to offer down the hall and into Velvet Canada's Dancehipology where we will keep things movin' and shakin'.

     We ask for you to keep patient, we won't leave you wondering what happens next.  All we ask is for you to stay tuned, we'll be back shortly.