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.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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
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
Thursday, July 17, 2014
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."
"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."
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
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!
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!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
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:
Dreams and Elements
Keep up to date on Bazaar Happenings....
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.
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