renegade roundup

I'm a little late with my roundup because time's been a bit precious these last few days (still working on churning out my wholesale orders), but both Jess and Vanessa posted their great roundups yesterday. Swing by and check out their posts. They're the cutest things around!

We couldn't have asked for a better weekend for Renegade. The sun was shining, it was a comfy 80° range of temps without humidity, and all the people were amazing. Shoppers were plentiful and really great; they gave valuable feedback, bought loads of goodies. So many nice folks right there in the middle of the city! We made out like bandits, and I think Jess and Vanessa sold a lot more than we did! It seemed a successful weekend for all in Booth 10.

Jess and Vanessa were fabulous co-vendors; I couldn't have asked for nicer people to sell side-by-side with. They are such tremendous talents with amazing, warm spirits. I really felt lucky to be sharing a booth with them! Their hubbies/family were super nice too. It really felt like a booth full of nice folk, and I can't imagine asking for more than that. It was so great to meet you all in person!

I must give out my props::

Tracy & Angelica were super troopers and schlepped all the heavy big bits (tables, tent, chairs, big mirror for us) around town for us and helped keep us all fed and watered. We couldn't have made the show what it was without their help. Thank you both for your caring and your help in all things Renegade! (And thanks for helping keep The Walrus in business and inspired to make more pretty things!) You are super gems. 

Our hubbies were supreme "man-servants." It was awesome to meet the men behind the ladies. All the guys went above and beyond with setting up, manning the tables, and passing out promos and drumming up sales. I was trying to figure out all weekend who Jim and Eric reminded me of, and it dawned on me last night while watching a bit of television: Jimmy Fallon and Jeff Corwin (does Monkey remind you of anyone?)! It means the world to have such supportive hubbies behind us. As a team of 3 (4) couples, it was quite impressive! Outstanding hubbies rule.

Lizzie was superfantastica to come and spend the whole day with us Saturday to help sell and wrap up and take a tired Mom home.You were fab for coming again on Sunday to help take over when it was lone gnome time (Monkey had to leave for SC partway through the morning and Mom had to head home early in the afternoon) and then help me close down and driving me home after feeding me yums at Hearty Boys. I love you! 

Biggest props to my Mom, who drove up early early on Saturday morning from her home in Indiana with 1 sick puppy (Murphy, who is a tiny Yorkie and gets carsick) and 1 exuberant puppy (Pepe) just so she could be here to help with the show. When I first started The Walrus, I was merely finding an outlet for my crafty meanderings. But my mom has helped it grow into a serious business! She's brought to The Walrus an energy and an enthusiasm unparalleled by anything I ever imagined it would be. The Walrus today could not possibly be the fun adventure it is without my mom. She brings an impeccable level of professionalism to her art, which brings a much higher standard of craftsmanship out of The Walrus. The Walrus wouldn't be The Walrus it is today without my spectacular mom. Thank you, Mommy, for all your caring and your hard, hard work and dedication on top of everything else you do for me. I'm so blessed that we're embarking on this little adventure together. I love you!

(isn't she just the cutest little thing?!)

Big thanks to my friends who helped with support and encouraging words. Leslie, it was so wonderful to get a lovely snail mail letter (! ~ I love snail mail!) from you just to wish me luck with Renegade. Such an unexpected and magnificently pleasant surprise! Thanks to Becky for that sweet email! Even though you're dealing with so much real life stuff that is bigger than a silly craft show, you took out the time in your day to send me good craft show vibes. That means so much! Thanks to Mai and Patrick for swinging by to visit and for posting the craft show up in your hospital residency office. You two are so sweet. It's so nice to see a pair of friendly faces you recognize amidst a sea of craftshow shoppers!

Props aside, it was plain great to meet a lot of the people behind the internet usernames we all know each other by. There are so many talented folks in this world, and I feel pretty good knowing that a large proportion of them were here at Renegade this weekend. It was great to meet so many "legends" of the indie biz world. I didn't remember to take pics of everyone we met, but it was fab chatting with you all (Supermaggie, Lekkner, Atomic Mama, Plainmabel, Loosetooth, Polaire, Stylis Girl, etc....etc....)! (I did manage to catch a pic of Plainmabel, who is cute as a button, because she came by to see us on both days:)

Here are a few other cute shots.

Paparazzi-prepared shot.                             Normalish shot.

This cute customer bought this apron to wear out and about, to dress up her tee & jeans. I *LOVE* that! What a fun idea. She was a sweetie pie, and the apron looked fabulous on her.

Monkey tried to follow suit. I think he was trying to spark the allure of the flirty apron.

Here is some of the booty we took home from Renegade. Cutie pug cards and ribbon bookmark from Rainy Sunday, fabu gemstone drop earrings from Gerbera Designs (I've gotten loads of compliments on them at work!) Dubya doggie chew toy (which Casey loves to chew and bite and toss about) and a fun dead rat tee (quote on it: "Don't Die In the House!")....don't remember the name of the shop we got those last 2 from, but they were fun folks.

All the pics we remembered to take here.

I'm really looking forward to doing Renegade with Jess and Vanessa again next year! Already thinking of new things to try out....