Wow, Australian Quilt Market 2011. It is going to be forever etched in my mind. I had a fabulous time meeting so many lovely shop owners, other designers and people who contribute to the industry with their great products.
When Linda and I arrived at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre at 2.40pm on Friday, it was a flurry of activity. People in yellow fluro vests were buzzing about, unpacking goods and setting up displays. We timed our arrival to avoid the initial bustle.....actually, I was running late as I was in the last minute frenzy of trying to print more patterns. My stall looked so lonely and bare when I first arrived,
(Sorry for such a poor quality photo), but with a bit of work we had it all set up within a couple of hours.
I keep telling myself that you have to start somewhere. Although my stall did not look as well stocked as others, at least I was there and could say that I had done it.....well, a time did occur at about 4.00pm when I looked at my watch and thought "Oh, take me home to the cows", but luckily it was short lived.
I arrived back at market at 8.00am Saturday morning. Linda attended some of the workshops, while I sorted through some of the patterns that I had stashed beneath the table. I had a little wander around the rest of the market and met some of the other stall holders.
When the market officially opened at 10.00am I had a lovely visitor arrive first to my stall. I have exchanged emails with Julie for a couple of years and it was so nice to finally meet her and her family in person. Not long after, Wendy from Clever Ducks Quilting arrived. It was a calming start to the day. I soon discovered that most people where just as friendly and just as supportive of my designs. I was kept busy for most of the day, explaining my patterns, and handing out my brochures.
The highlight of Saturday was a visit from the lovely Annie Downs....I nearly fell off my feet when she asked to purchase some of my patterns for her shop. I have admired Annie's work for so long and I have a large collection of her books. I was busting to ask if I could have a photo taken with her, but I was too shy to ask and I rarely take a good photo anyway.
At 5.00pm the market closed and a special presentation was held with Robyn Pandolph as the guest speaker. Robyn gave us an insight to where she lives and what inspires her to create her designs. She also showed us samples of her latest fabrics to be released next year.
It was sometime after 6.30pm before two weary ducks made it back to the apartment. Off with the good clothes and those tight new shoes and into some comfy knockabout ones. After a cup of tea, a few Panadol, and a phone call home, it was a short wander down the street to a little Italian restaurant for dinner. When I telephoned home, the first question I was asked from Mr 7yrs was "Did many people eat the lollies?" I had told the children that I would bring home the left over lollies from my stall!
We were back at Market at 8.00am Sunday morning. Linda and I sat in a talk showcasing a new product call the 'Disappearing Design Wall'. We were both really taken with this idea, and you will read more about it here in the future. I also sat in a talk with the lovely Pam and Katie from Cottage Garden Threads. I love these threads and was able to bring home a small collection which I will be using in some of my new designs.
You can see them here with a collection of other goodies I was able to purchase. Some dyed wool from Hatched and Patched and some Moda fabric 'California Girl' and 'Hello Luscious' which I look forward to using.
By Sunday afternoon the stalls were a little more quiet, and with Linda's help I was able to catch up with some of the other designers. I met two wonderful ladies, Cheryl and Bev from Stanford Hall Designs. They had both travelled all the way from New Zealand. Their designs are lovely, I am so disappointed that I did not take a photograph of their stall. I also met Clare, who like me was at Market for the first time.
At 4.30pm the market was closed and we donned fluro vests again for the pack-up. In half the time of setting up our stall was cleared out and we were on our way home. I arrived home at 8.40pm, worn out but still buzzing with all the excitement.
So my first market has been and gone, and today I am having an easy day. No deadlines, no pressures. It feels so good. And will I do it all again? Of course I will, I'm already planning for next year.
Lenora X.
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