Getting ready for my first Poppytalk market

Well — I took the plunge, and contacted Jan and Earl at Poppytalk when I noticed that the next themed market is — I can hardly believe it — Holiday Sale & Pre-Wedding/Valentine Market  It runs from Dec 20, 2010 - January 14, 2011. And I will have a virtual table at the market. Not to worry, I will remind you to visit—I will set up a link from here once the market is open (very excited!).

Images to be uploaded must be square so I spent the day re photographing my ketubot. It was a challenge but I think I have figured it out.

I also had some pre-Valentine fun!

A nice surprise at One of a Kind Vancouver

Violet and I have been visiting local craft shows as a kind of research for our own crafty endeavors.  Today we took a stab at One of a Kind Vancouver. Here is a description from their website: This holiday find everything you need under one roof at the One of a Kind Show and Sale. 250 of North America's most talented artists & designers will showcase unique gift ideas for everyone on your list.

We were both underwhelmed by the event. But there was one very bright moment for me. Almost as soon as we walked in I spied Jeannette Ordas of everybody likes sandwiches and the beautiful project fame. Since I have become quite the groupie for successful bloggers and etsians, I had to go to her booth and introduce myself. I had in fact contacted Jeannette way back last year some time, when I was just discovering etsy and trying to figure out how it all worked. Since she was a local Vancouverite, I hoped to glean some tips from the successful food blogger/web designer/illustrator. I asked her what she did to become so famous. Just like the bubbly gal I met today, here was her lighthearted response:

"Hi Naomi, nice to hear from you. I wonder if you have the wrong person....becoming famous? Not me! For me, my card business is just one of many things I do.  I'm a web designer, a food blogger and a card maker/illustrator (along with wife, bowler, bike-rider, thrifter, traveller, etc.)."

She then graciously proceeded to list some great links that would be helpful to me.
 
It was great to meet face to face and to see that the etsy maven who has sold 1,490 items to date on her etsy site (one card at a time), was an amazingly warm and friendly individual. Of course she didn't remember my email but was very happy to meet me in any case. I learned last week when I discovered Poppytalk that Jeannette is a weekly contributor there as well.

I will leave you with one of her cards—they make everyone (including me) giggle!

Right under my nose and I had no idea they were here...

Curated blogs such as Design Sponge, Print and Pattern, Etsy stalker and Apartment Therapy have been part of my daily routine for the past year since I discovered blogging. But I was really taken aback when I happened on Poppytalk today for the first time. Poppytalk is (according to their website) the first to offer a curated marketplace and they are right here in Vancouver! Not only that, but they focus on handmade and emerging designers.

From their blog:
“We are proud to be "the original curated marketplace" (having come up with the concept first) and are proud to be number one (email us for details) for bringing the best results to it's participants! Now in our second year, we are dedicated to supporting emerging artists by giving them a "fair" and best option to have their work seen online.”

They cater to a young demographic and the work I have seen just today really inspired me.

There are a couple of ways to hook up with them. Either through their curated themed markets or by advertising with them. I believe that the advertising is also curated but I need to read more about it.

The trick is to fit into their themes, which I am not very good at. Not likely there will be a theme for Jewish weddings anytime soon ...  but I am intrigued about what they are up to and when I get up enough nerve, I will contact Jan and Earl. Hey—they are right here—and so am I!