Christmas Trunk Show at HSalon in Fairfield, CT

Salon H Christmas Trunk Show

Me at the Salon H Trunk Show

Daughter Erica wearing Houjeanies

Marisa, the owner of Salon H, was nice enough to ask me to display Houjeanies at a trunk show at her beauty salon.  I set up my display in a lively, raucous place.  There were people getting their hair done- After all, this is a salon.  As a matter of fact, Marisa gave me a free wash and blow dry so I would look stellar at the show.  I got a lot of compliments on my hairdo.  My friend, Diane and my daughter, Erica were there to help me that night. There were many people interested in Houjeanies.  It was a great night.  I can feel an elevated interest in my product after tonight.

Salon H person wearing my houjeanies

ITVFest- West Dover, Vermont

My booth at the Fest

The ITVFest- Film Festival

This event began seven years ago in Los Angeles, but in September of 2013, it was moved to Vermont.  The Fall weather was beautiful, the trees at their height of color.  The Festival lured filmmakers to the Deerfield River Valley from all over the world wielding films from short TV shows and documentaries to full length films.  I was one of the few vendors who hawked my wares to festival goers.  My friend, Colleen, helped me set up the booth and even lent me various things from her house- like rugs, tables and bowls.  When it was set up, this is the way my booth looked.  There was a festive atmosphere over the three day festival.  There were of course a profusion and variety of films to see in seven venues scattered throughout the valley.  There were really good bands that played around the clock. Lots of good food was served in various places.  The organizers staged a wonderful VIP party for all the filmmakers.  

filmmakers who stopped by the booth

Filmmakers who stopped by the booth

Pumpkins in the Fall

New York Accessory Show

Me at my booth at Accessory Show

So, I got home from the rodeos, rubbed the dirt off my jeans and began to prepare for the New York Accessory show at the Javitz Center in Manhattan.  This is a big event and has about 800 vendors.  It is huge! I drove down to set up with my daughter, Erica, who helped me lug all the elements of my booth down the aisles and to my appointed booth, which was, of course, near the back of the building-but at least it was near the food.  

My daughter, Debbie

My daughter, Erica

We set up the booth and this is the way it looked.   So I shared a booth with a guy who sold reading glasses and when I returned the next morning to start the show, there were tables and glasses everywhere!  You could hardly see my display!  Well after some heated exchanges, we came to a compromise, but I must tell you he was not too happy.  

Leah Kunkel

As the week wore on though, he softened his stance and even offered advice to me.  By the end of the show, we became friends and he even gave me a pair of reading glasses.  The show wasn't too busy, but I did gain a few customers, thanks to my friend, Yvonne, who is a convincing salesperson.  I owe all my new accounts to her! 

Here is a list of who helped me with pictures to match.  Two of my daughters, Erica and Debbie, Yvonne, Shara Kolodney and Connie Clark, two of my teacher friends from school, and Leah Kunkel, who is a friend of my daughters.

 

Greeley Rodeo

Greeley Rodeo Day One:June 29, 2013

Barbara and me at my booth at Greeley Stampede

Arrived in Greeley, CO. last night.  Went on a marathon shopping spree. If you look at the picture you'll see everything I bought. Table, tablecloth, chairs, top  standing canopy tent, fan, lights for the top of the tent etc. As Barbara and I sit in our booth there is country music playing on the stage. We are right next to the big arena where all the rodeos take place as well as the top music acts. Last night Josh Turner was here but we didn't see him. Hope to be able to hear the music tonight. Its Leonard  Skynyrd. Barbara loves him, but I only know one song he sings-"Sweet Home Alabama." I don't even know what he looks like- I would probably pass him by while wending my way through the throngs of people.   Today, folks come by and ask about the jean boxes that I have a storing my Houjeanies.  They want to buy those and I have to explain that I am selling the jewels inside.  They also ask about the cowboy boots I have on the table with my jewels attached to the back.  They want to buy the boots, but not necessarily the jewels.  Oh well.  I watch everybody going by in cowboy boots, blingy belts and cowboy hats. True West. Their bling is blinding! 

The booth is situated right in front of the children's amusement park.  From here I see the Carousel, Tilt a Whirl, cotton candy and popcorn stand and little boats that go around in circles.  This morning I locked the keys in the car. Had to go to Rite Aide and ask some  vert nice guy getting his prescription to help me get my keys from Barbara. He was nice enough to do so. What a fiasco. But all's well that ends well according to Shakespeare. I wonder how comfortable Shakespeare would be in this venue. Well he was sort of a renegade in his time.  He probably would write a  comedic play about it.

Day Two Greeley- June 30, 2013

So it's day two of the Greeley Stampede. Last night Leonard Skynyrd played. Before the concert, a storm blew through and many people were under my awning with babies and carriages. To my delight, I did make one sale early in the day. My empire is beginning!
Barbara attracted two 

Geoff- the Dippin Dots vendor and me

men to our booth.   One was a very wealthy wheat farmer from Sheridan,Wyoming and the other was the Dippin Dots vendor named Geoff at the fair.  Although I am not breaking the bank with sales, I still think this is an adventure that I wanted to take. No regrets. I love the carnival people.  They are rough hewn and interesting.  They are very photo worthy.

Wendy Wham, a jewelry artist who was enamored with my buttons and gave me some tips;

Victoriamag.com.  Press kit.   

Roy of Roy's Lemonade and me

Store: Glitz and Galore and Amber,  Greeley CO.

Mary Jane's Farm- web site and Press kit 

Advertise in Lucky Magazine and the 

Victorian Trading Company in Kansas.

I have more people looking at my product because I set it up so that you could see it better. I moved the table up so the jewels sparkle in the sun.  Maybe the bling will attract customers. Its working! Vendors here Roy and Geoff are very nice.  They come to talk to us, kid around with us and entertain us. Geoff and I usually drink beer.  It doesn't seem to boost sales though. Geoff has been a great customer buying a few of them for friends and relatives.  He is my biggest fan.

Girls in Dippin Dots' booth wearing my jewels

Last night it poured again and we had to take the booth down fast. My foam core people drowned and had to be discarded.  As usual, many people took shelter underneath my awning but bought nothing.   I am not discouraged but disappointed. Luckily, the crowds passing by our booth are keeping me busy. Eye candy. Geoff took me over to the arenas where the cowboys and cowgirls practice with their horses. There's lots of big horse trailers and fencing for them to practice their skills. They sleep in those trailers with the horses.    There are lots of pretty women with long hair and cowgirl hats. When you see them in their elements they are very sexy. One dark horse behind a fence muzzled and licked me and seemed to have a soul. I could feel it.   She had a big gash on her forehead. Upsetting.  So beautiful these horses-so muscular and strong.

Wednesday. July 3rd. Day Three

Kenny Chesney look-alike

Just took a picture of a Kenny Chesney look alike. Soooo sexy. It is a hot quiet evening this far.  Dry heat. Not too many patrons. I am trying to be happy enjoying the view in front of my stand. A slice of America, Western-style.  What a cross-section of humanity. Cowboy hats and boots- that's what you see most around here.  Girls wear short-shorts and cowboy boots.  Very cute and sexy.  Some couples walking by look like they met their match in a gumball machine.  Every night, as Barbara and I walk in with our gaggle of baggage, the other vendors call out, "Hey girls- how you doing tonight? we belong now.  I've got to figure out what to do in New York to make my display more attractive. A guy just walked by who looked like Bruno Mars. Quite a change from the usual population of this place.  

Thursday  July 4th.  Day 5

Jake- the would be chef 

Jake, almost 21 years old, stopped by to talk. He is in the booth right behind us and is the business to save energy but he wants to be a chef.  Next year he wants to be a wrangler here, but I'm told that wranglers and vendors do not mix. Jake said he got stabbed by a wrangler when he was a vendor. It brings to mind a show song I remember: "Oh the farmer and the cowman should be friends- yes sir!" That's from the show, "Oklahoma."    

Jake's Pork chop recipe:

2 cups each white sugar/ brown sugar

2-4 chops

Garnish -

2-3 apples

2 onions

3 cups sugar/brown sugar

2 cloves garlic

Speaking of food, Barbara and I are enjoying the rodeo food here.  This is our usual dinner- Meat on a stick- that would be steak on a stick, pork on a stick, chicken on a stick, shish kabob on a stick, ribs on a stick, beef on a stick.  Wash it down with Roy's Lemonade and go for dessert to Dippin Dots.

I finally went to the rodeo today and saw barrel racing by the cowgirls, which is so beautiful and graceful. I saw mutton busting where young children with helmets try to hold onto a sheep as it runs with them on their back- Juvenile bull riding. Watched the bull riding - that's my favorite event. How anyone can stay on a writhing 2000 pound animal for eight seconds belies any rational thinking. Quote from George Strait- "I'll be lookin' for 8 when they pull that gate."  I just realized what that means now. While watching, I talked to a guy named Tom about growing up on a farm in this area.  Highly  unusual in these parts. Ha ha. 

Tonight is a very busy night because it is Independence Day. The weather is perfect, there's a breeze blowing, no humidity and the temperature is about 75°. Maybe this weather is why the rodeo is not as dusty or smelly as people said it was going to be.whenever I mentioned Greeley, people would hold their noses.   However, when Barbara and I travel home at night on a 20 mile stretch of road through the great plains,  we smell the feedlots.  Very earthy. Smells a lot like Vermont.

New West Fest in Fort Collins CO suggested by passersby as a good venue for me.

Friday, July 5th

An almost tornado came upon us as we were crossing the plains on our way to the rodeo. Scared the Bejeezus out of me. Now the weather is beautiful and perfect temperature. There aren't a lot of people but some have come over to look at my items. I am encouraged!

So, it's my last night at the Greeley rodeo.   Noise of the crowds and the amusement rides and the music of the concert in the background make it an adventure worth taking. For a little while I lived in a noisy microcosm of western life and I enjoyed every minute of it even though I didn't make hundreds of dollars. Some experiences are just worth taking, especially at my age.  For some reason this was on my bucket list and even though it didn't quite live up to my business expectations, it  lived up to the dream of doing it and experiencing the carnival life.   

Daughter Caroline and me

Vail:  Took a detour to Vail to visit my daughter, Caroline.  We hiked to high elevations, ate good food(not any meat-on-a-stick-like Barb and I had in Greeley) and enjoyed the mountain air.  I must say, that I did not feel compelled to take one picture of anyone in Vail, save my daughter, as they all blended into one generic protoplasm.  I truly missed my carnival people.

Gunnison's Cattleman's Days-  Day One- July 10, 2013

     Got the tent up easily because Jake(the chef, wrangler and energy pusher) from the Greeley Rodeo appeared as a vision to help us. It was nice to see a familiar face even though we would have loved to see Roy or Geoff too.   

We learned a few tricks putting up the tent top from Paul next door to us. He is an old time rodeo rider who filled us with stories of bareback bronco and bull riding. He bears the scars and showed us a cut on his left jaw that he got when he was mauled by a bull's horn and a horseshoe imprint on his left arm when he was tossed off a bronco and the horse stepped on him. These are real cowboys. Paul grew up riding horses in rodeos since age fourteen. He stopped when his son was four. I guess he wanted to live to see his kids grow up.   I like the vendors here. They are friendly and helpful. For instance, Rhonda, who has the booth to my left, has given me an industrial strength hammer and the longest and thickest nails I have ever seen to secure my booth to the bedrock on which it sits.   In addition to the Paul Bunyan sized nails, I was also urged to buy two five gallon buckets, which I filled with water to keep my tent on the ground. Chuck Leatherwood, the Heidi Grogg( the absentee manager from Greeley who I had to hunt down for my passes) of Gunnison, warned me about the wind here so I had to batten down the hatches to make sure this gazebo doesn't fly off to Oz.  Rhonda even let me use  her electrical outlet in her truck because the outlet I was designated contained the wrong adaptor.   Consequently, whenever I am in need of something I go next door and say "Help me Rhonda!". 

        More shoppers came by today than we saw in Greeley on the first day. They are very friendly and encouraging.   They are a laid back friendly crowd.  Very approachable.   

Joy and Josh from Salt Lake City

-Joy with a booth to my right, is a firecracker that never dims. She is energized and so alive.  She advised me to go to Google Reps to sell Houjeanies. She said to pick one with just a few lines so they could pay  attention to mine.  It sounds logical.  It's getting very windy but my little booth is still standing so far.  Lots of positive feedback from this crowd.

Thursday, July 11th-   Day 2 Gunnison, CO

Houjeanies on a flip flop

When we first got to the rodeo, the weather was threatening to soak us so we left and went to the antler store to buy the dogs a bone and to town to eat. When we returned, the crowds swelled and we had lots of lookers at the stuff. I made some sales!  Also, to backtrack, Barb and I went to Crested Butte today and while we were eating lunch, two couples behind us struck up a conversation and to make a long story short, I sold a bunch of Houjeanies!  I was encouraged by this as these people were classy and they liked my things. I am trying to think of ways to set up my booth for the NY show and market my product to be more successful. 

I watched the rodeo tonight. It was more enjoyable than Greeley's. It was more down to earth. The people were more homogeneous.  It just was more small town. Bull riding was terrific. Cowboys didn't wear helmets like in Greeley.  Three riders stayed on for the full eight seconds. 

Gunnison day 3

Spent the morning and early afternoon hiking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  Spectacular.   Long windy drive there and back on Route 50. Very scenic, though.  

Gunnison rodeo barrel racing

I sold some Houjeanies tonight using my Square Up correctly. Yea! Rodeo crowd here looks like Fairfield people with cowboy boots.  Most people are thin and well dressed.  Enjoyed the rodeo again tonight.  Took videos of horses in the arena.  They are so graceful. Got a tip from Joy in the next booth.  She said to look up Women's shopping Expos-  good tip.  And Barb just told me to join a women's entrepreneur group.  Again lots of lookers tonight with positive feedback giving me encouragement and hope for this venture. 

Gunnison Day Four-This is the last night on my rodeo circuit this summer. 

The place is filling up with rodeo goers. Families-lots of families. Most of the kids have cowboy/cowgirl hats and the girls all have cowboy boots. 

Our booth in Gunnison-notice barrels of water.

Little cowpokes.  Watched part of the Cattlemen's Day Parade today in town. Lots of animals- horses, pigs, cows.  We are situated right behind the arena and we can hear the screams from the crowd. The dirt road in front of us is teeming with people and the beer line hasn't gotten smaller for two hours so I guess I will forgo the beer I had in mind for my last night at the rodeo.  It's a beautiful Colorado night. Cool temps and no humidity. I believe I have had at least sixteen beautiful nights like this since the start of my trip, plus the five I spent in Montana.  Western summers are to my liking. It is difficult to say goodbye to this Odyssey on which I have placed myself.   It has been a wild and enjoyable ride.