I had a lovely day yesterday meeting friends, past students (now friends!) and first time visitors at the annual Duckett's Grove Christmas Fair. Sales were brisk, the weather amazing, the crowds had fun and everything was brilliantly organised as always by Eileen O'Rourke from Carlow Tourism. I particularly loved the Killeshin Pipe Band, they marched past my studio twice playing their hearts out and followed by a trail of people enjoying the craic! Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.
While Borris House Christmas Fair at the weekend didn’t exactly rock my sales boat too much the atmosphere was lovely and by the end of yesterday evening I was happy enough with how things had gone. Mount Juliet Christmas Village on the other hand has been extremely disappointing so far, great if you are bringing your children to the Santa train (as 10s of 1000s are!) but totally hopeless to date as regards customers browsing the stands and making actual purchases. We’re committed to having our stand there until 9pm next Sunday evening so all I can do is hope that more visitors come this week to the fair itself as opposed to the train.
Creative Carlow pop up shop
This morning I had my first working stint at the Creative Carlow pop up shop on Tullow Street, I enjoyed myself and made a couple of good sales too thank goodness! Now I’m at home trying to catch up with the blog and a few household chores, washing, cleaning, tidying etc. but everything will never be done before 24th and neither will presents be sent abroad in time for Christmas delivery or indeed purchased before the big day itself for some of my Irish buddies. I’m annoyed with myself as I had really hoped to have everything bought or made by now, presents posted and cards sent, possibly I under anticipated how busy I would be travelling to and from all the outside events. Hopefully everyone will understand and enjoy their gifts even if they are a few days late, good friends will anyway so fingers crossed!!!
Our stand at the Creative Carlow pop up shop this morning
One thing that I am happy about today is that I was able to add another mannequin to our display and change around stock for Leiko and myself this morning in Carlow. While it’s not the best picture (rain has prevented any pics outdoors) you can see the sleeveless top I finished the other afternoon now displayed on a mannequin. As I mentioned before, it’s a real juggling game trying to keep each venue looking good with a variety of different items and colourways, tomorrow I’ll have a go at revamping our space at Mount Juliet.
Finally for today, I had a lovely time visiting Jim and Tina Behan at his house/ceramic studio on my way home from Carlow. Tina had selected a couple of felt pieces for herself over the weekend and I was able to trade with Jim for some fabulous eastern inspired wood fired tea bowls and pots. I’ve always adored this work of his so was in seventh heaven, thanks Jim and Tina!!!
I’m just home now after the first day at Borris House, Santa made an appearance too and will be coming back tomorrow to visit some more lucky girls and boys. Leiko and Norma (my current work experience aide) manned Mount Juliet and while neither venue made brilliant sales we all did a little better than other days. Tomorrow should see a much bigger crowd in Borris so fingers crossed they’ll be in a buying mood!
The silly season has officially opened! Yesterday Emma Jane Champley and I set up the bones of our Christmas display at Mount Juliet, tomorrow along with Leiko Uchi we’ll add more lighting and fill it with stock. Today I’m starting the morning with a radio interview with Sue Nunn at KCLR 96fm, then catching up with work experience student Norma at Borris Food and Craft Market, thanks Norma for setting up for me. Once that finishes we’re off to set up Duckett’s Grove for Sunday’s Christmas Fair, I hope this weekend sees the start of a fruitful if somewhat crazy 16 days!!!
Posted by Nicola Brown – I feel, I find, I felt
Nicola Brown Fine Art Textiles 