I spent the weekend in the park

This past weekend was one of my favourite outdoor events of the year. No, I take that back. It IS my favourite. I live in the East end of Toronto, just off the Danforth (remember the Taste of Danforth madness?) and a bit farther east from my place is East Lynn Park. Home to the East Lynn Farmers Market, which I learned is put on by the very same folks who put on the Danforth East Arts Fair.

Outdoor shows have always made me uneasy. Rain and dampness are the arch nemesis of paper goods (and I don't really like them either) But DEAF, in the 5 years it's been running, has always been blessed with good weather. Have I said how much I love this show already? Anyhow, this year was my second year participating, I had some great expectations, but I was also looking forward to hanging out with some of my crafty buddies and getting some facetime with my giggling customers. It was a long summer of creating and packaging and plotting, not enough socializing. 

it's amazing what you can fit into a Mazda3 - into a 10x10 tent - what treats you can hide behind your display!

This weekend was well worth the wait. Eastenders are extremely engaged shoppers. They're always interested in you and your story, the story behind the products. That's golden for a creator. You know whatever it is you are selling is going on to a good home. And they have the sense of humour to hang in the thunderpeep tent (although listening to a mom explain the new Marriage card to her 10 year old son was a bit awkward, until she just said "one day you'll have a wife and understand" - loved them!)

hello baby goodbye sleep card is in the show now! Catnip ball is available at Lynn's Lids shop

Saturday was gorgeous and sunny (although a bit chilly in the shade of my tent) and tons of locals came out to play in the park and browse all the awesome vendors. it was a perfect day in the East End. Sunday was a bit more overcast, but it was still warm and a surprising number of dogs in the park. It was a fun break from all the cute babies the day before. The East End is really family oriented, not a surprise then that the new Hello Baby card (in Lavendar) was the big seller of the weekend. Do I know my Eastenders or what?!

high fives for this best t-shirt of the weekend! Goodies from Heart's Haven & LureArts Pottery!

I didn't get a chance to do a whole lot of shopping unfortunately. I did wander a bit when the moment arose, and ordered myself a new iphone case (custom made too) from the super fun Dolalee and picked up a felted catnip ball for the critters upstairs, from my booth neighbour Lynn's Lids.

Now the focus is all on the Holiday rush and One of a Kind Show. I'm also starting a newsletter (shocking I know) I wanted to do an actual mailout one, but no one wants to give me their address. Weird, right? If you want in on the email version you can email me your email address and I'll add you in, first one is due out beginning of November. If you want me to mail you a physical copy... I'm still game ;)

How was your weekend?

Now, it's Monday you know. So I'm obliged to provide a soundtrack to your day. There's no particular theme, I wish I could have gotten some video of one of the musicians playing in the park this weekend. But that didn't happen so you get some Smashing Pumpkins since they are currently playing at Casa Peeps at the moment! Happy Monday peeps :)

To note.... I just discovered that one of my friends has one of those fun little video cameras that are so popular these days. Perhaps so silly thunderpeep videos to come?

Continue Reading...

Happy Friday the 13th!

Tomorrow is a big day. And Sunday too. It's finally here. The official kick-off of the craft show season. Well the second show season of the year.

The Danforth East Arts Fair is a great big arts party in the park (East Lynn Park that is). I LOVE this show, who can't enjoy spending 2 days outside in the park, meeting other incredible artists and getting to interact with so many fun loving paper lovers. And the East End is home to some amazingly supportive peeps. Last year was my first time as a vendor and I was blown away by how involved the shoppers were. People didn't just stroll past your booth. They came in, they asked questions, they were curious... and they laughed. Boy did they laugh. I can't wait for all the giggling over the new products this year. They make me feel happy that I took the leap to pursue my little stationery company.

If you're in Toronto hopefully you'll make the trek to visit, and make sure to stop by and see all the new products and maybe, just maybe, I'll have some of those famous PB+Chocolate cookies with me ;)

And not to forget my Blog Challenge duties.... I leave you with this awesome portrait I got done a few years ago by an amazing artist in Calgary (todays challenge was a self-portrait, this counts - right?) AND it's Friday the 13th so extra bonus points!

Continue Reading...

Weekend Rap

This past weekend was the first of 2 Long Weekends for me. yay!

Last Friday I took off from Le Day Job to finish installing my new setup down at The Arts Market. Thursday night I worked (and sweated in the uncomfortable heat) away at painting and hanging the new shelving... all in preparation for the new collection. I'm so excited to just finally put it out there for all the peeps to have fun with. Lot's of new Birthday cards, Fun cards, Baby & Lovey cards as well as the introduction of Gift Tags and... Wrapping Paper. I'm so excited about the wrap. I've been trying to figure out a local and cost effective print run and finally have the first design ready. It's a Birthday wrap based on the Manon retro pattern. There will be more coming for the Holidays too! Here's a bit of a sneak peak for you.

I also got the chance to meet up for a coffee date, with a friend I haven't seen in a very long while. She's going to be in the One of a Kind show as well this Christmas, and one of the reasons I love coffee dates with this friend, is she's a great person to discuss all things crafty business with, and she's pretty fun too!

There was lot's of packing and detailing and finalizing and planning... whew I'm exhausted just writing that all out. So much to get done between now and the launch and next show (FYI that's the Danforth East Arts Fair if you're in the Toronto area). As well as getting addicted to the BBC show Broadchurch!

And since this is Monday... you know you're getting some super fun musical ending. There was lot's of singing and dancing while I worked this weekend - but I figured I'd share a bit of something from my evening down at the Arts Market during the stall update, with the blaring 80's mix.

Happy Monday Peeps :)

Continue Reading...

rainy sundays...

It's been a struggle with summer so far. The rain. The humidity. The 2 go hand in hand here in Toronto. But only 2 more months to go, and all the focus on Holiday designs and booth building have been keeping me distracted.

I have all the plans set for my OOAK Christmas booth, the new Arts Market booth AND almost figured out my Danforth East setup (which will turn into the OOAK one really) I discovered last week that one of my day job coworkers studied some carpentry and willing offered to help me build my masterpieces. Yay thunderpeep!!! And don't worry, I'll have pics of the whole process, and hopefully some funny stories along the way.

For now I am curling up away from the rain, enjoy my sunday evening and getting lost in a crazy new Norwegian TV show called Hellfjord. As you might have noticed I'm a huge fan of Norwegian cinema and after one episode I am so totally hooked, and it's helping with my learning to speak Norwegian. Tak!

I wanted to post a trailor for you... but there none to be found with the subtitles :( oh yeah and if any of you have seen Dead Snow, that gross dude in the yellow and brown hat is Roy! And he's so nasty awesome in this show (also to note a sequel to the best zombie movie ever made - Dead Snow - is now being filmed. Can you say Best News Ever - except maybe a sequel to TrollHunter - and I mean sequel NOT Hollywood remake )

So, here's the trailor for Dead Snow. Watch it. You can Thank me later ;)

Continue Reading...

Ho Ho Howdy!

Well I feel really bad. I have totally neglected the Midsummer collection this year :(

It's been a struggle to stay on top of this growing business and I'm learning as I go along... time management, planning, setting time aside for creativity and most importantly, making time for all the things I love outside of thunderpeep. I was originally taking the month of June off from working the business, but then the One of a Kind show came knocking and it was on to Christmas designs. I can't complain, I know I have 5 months to prepare and that really is plenty of time.

And I have a plan. Or I guess I should say a schedule. But the best thing.... I have HUGE plans for the 2013 Polar Nights collection, which will launch at the One of a Kind show - starting on November 28th. I am super excited to share it with you. There will be sneak peaks as we lead up, but the big reveal is definitely going to be at the show. I have the Rotary show the week before that will still have all your Christmas goodies, so don't worry :)

Also... I will be re-launching the whole card & stationery line at the Danforth East Fair September 14-15 so book that one on your calendars as well. You don't want to miss out on a chance to hang out in the park with lot's of creative peeps. So now you understand why I'll be hiding out over the summer months to create all these goodies - oh yeah and hiding from the heat and humidity that is a Toronto summer!

Lot's to look forward to and I promise to share little bits and bops as we go along.

Happy Midsummer, hope you celebrated with lot's of good eats, drinks and friends :)

Continue Reading...