Despite dreary weather, some the {NewNew} team braved the wet and cold to take part in the weekly Brooklyn Flea. Despite our drippy tent, we managed to have fun.

A big thank you to the visitors that showed. I was rather amused that someone actually had gotten the pronunciation of my shop name and “got it”, (it’s foo•bay•bee… like Fu Baby)… My Aunt Bea nickname for me that since junior high, and it stuck around. (No, she wasn’t really my aunt, but that’s what I called her back then.)

I definitely didn’t do as well as last time out, but given the weather, I would’ve stayed home myself. (Paper goods and water don’t mix.) But as the day wore on, we dried up a bit, and I was able to bring out my wedding invitations album.

One lovely couple stopped by and showed me their pretty Save the Dates, (which I absolutely love the color of), and asked me to replicate the color and layout for their invitations using one of my latest designs. I haven’t had a chance to list several of my latest designs, but will do so shortly.

If you didn’t have the chance to visit me at the Flea in April, come visit me at the Brooklyn Homeshow on May 16th and 17th. May 16th is a pre-show party from 7-10pm, and May 17th is the actual show itself. Either way stop on by and say hello, check out some of my wedding designs, or just come hang out with us! 170 Tillary Street #706.

It’s been a very full week these past seven days. With the weather turning for the better, I had the chance to meet up with several people from around the city and country for various design projects, all of which are incredibly interesting to say the least.

Since the first Flea outing, (well, really since I’ve started), I’ve gotten a good number of inquiries regarding wonderful opportunities that I feel the need to take advantage of. The best part is that I do is the ability to meet a good number of small business owners and entrepreneurs who have an uncanny ability to keep me inspired and motivated, even when I feel like I’m taking too big of a bite. Also fun, is being able to witness the various celebrations of others, whether it be weddings, birthdays, births or house warmings.

It’s great to be a part of the various life stages that people go through, and the markings of their personal journeys, so to speak. (If you can’t tell by now, I’m sentimental by nature.) This is definitely the part I enjoy about what I do…

However, figuring out the business side, dealing with taxes and expense reports, and getting the studio organized? Eh, not so much!

I never knew that selling outdoors would be such hard work. Two days after, and I am still sore from standing and smiling all day. But as in life, you learn by doing. I learned a lot from Sunday, and that in my line of work, people will share what they want to share about themselves, and it’s my duty to pick up on that and run with it, and hopefully make a good enough impression. So many lovely couples stopped by. Lots of friendly faces. I enjoyed the chats. It was nice to see a slice of life from others.

“We’ve been engaged forever.”

“His mother will really like this card.”

“We’re getting married in two countries… all that planning!”

This is the pleasant side of the business that I like to be around.

“I thought it sucked. Nothing in the least interesting, everying[sic] overpriced. Most people I saw were disappointed.”

“…I love the craft stuff too. This market doesn’t have to be exactly like the Chelsea flea markets from the 1990s. It can reflect this creative neighborhood and the current resurgence in popularity of handmade goods.”

That was two very different views of the market yesterday. My own view is a bit different since I was a vendor.

Coming from the G train it was a very easy commute if you discounted the horrific waiting times.

My impression of the organizers is that they’re trying to make the market a cool place. If they know you, then you’re cool. If they don’t know you then you’re not. I say this because of my initial impression of Eric, whom when I first contacted for a vending space before I joined the {NewNew}, never bothered to respond to my emails. I’ve sent follow up emails to ask for a reply, even if it’s a no thanks you’re not right for this market.

Once I got there I thought I had to wait on line to sign in. I stood outside or fifteen minutes before being told my group was already inside. (He was taking his time chatting with the people in front of me whom he obviously knew.)

There were five other sellers in my group, and I can’t help but think that, if the organizers were good enough to answer the emails of the “uncool” people, they would’ve made 3x as much. Instead, we banded together to share tents, and I was able to sell at the venue for a fraction of the price.

Speaking of selling, I sold a good amount of goods, enough to double what I spent on space, the table, and the little shopping cart to haul my stuff. Since this is my first outdoor selling experience, I didn’t have any real expectations. But it did provide me with a benchmark, and gave really good insight on what worked and what didn’t, and what passers-by responded to.

Using a plate shelf to give my table height worked. Using a photo tree on a windy day did not. Every time a strong gust of wind came a card would fall off the tree. I ended up duct taping the back of the plastic to the clips and hugged the tree when it got windy.

The last minute decision to display a wedding invitations album was the best decision by far. People were very interested in going through the book, and a lot of couples were pleasantly surprised that I do all of this in my home studio. (Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be able to move into a better, visitor-friendly space and be able to do open houses.)

People seemed genuinely happy to see “such pretty cards” and the Japanese Blossom cards were well received. I received dozens of compliments them, and people walked by and then back tracked to take a closer look. In terms of what sold best, it was that followed very closely by the Wild Fields, which I made into singles. The 4 packs of the Bouquet and Roadside Blooms moved well also, and I’m thinking of carrying these more in the future.

All in all, I had a great time. I think getting to see people’s reactions face-to-face is by far the most rewarding thing about doing shows. At first I was pretty nervous, (I mean, you would be too if you read the negative comments on the venue.) But seeing how most of the people that bought my paper goods were appreciative, I can truly say that I had a good first outdoor market experience. And that’s pretty cool!