Dear Diary - the Smitten Kitten Blog

10th September, 09

With only a few days to go before my trip to France.  You’d think I would’ve mentally checked out already.  It’s funny it hasn’t really hit me yet that I’m going on vacation, and likely it won’t hit me until midway through my third in-flight movie or something.  Right now all my brain can register is “Something is happening on Monday that’s going to prevent my host body from getting any work done.  Better keep worrying about getting everything done before whatever that thing is that’s happening on Monday happens”.  Yeah brain thanks a lot.  Aren’t you smart!

Because of awkward deadlines occurring while I’m away, I spent the last week not busy getting french manicures and eating french fries, but busy writing essays, product descriptions and artist statements.  First I had to write a proposal to apply for new product submission at the Christmas One Of A Kind Show.  Oh you guys didn’t know that?  Every product you see for sale at the One Of A Kind Show, and I mean EVERY product you see, has to be approved by a selection committee.  Ooh and the application needs to be submitted 60 days before the show.  We like to introduce a new item or two at every show, keeps the booth fresh and interesting.  I think what we’ve designed for the Fall/Winter 2009 collection is REALLY cute!  Fingers crossed they’ll accept it.

I also wanted to submit an application to the Artisan’s Way category at the CGTA Gift Show.  Now this one was the biggie, lots of fiery hoops to jump through for this one.  Artist statements, reasons of application, company bios, product bios, booth design, you name it they want to read about it.  The reason I’m applying is that we’re located in the International Center right now, and ultimately I think we’re waaaay better suited to be with our fellow artisans at the Artisan’s Way area.  Nothing wrong with International Center, just that it’s not doing us any favours by exhibiting next to bird feeders and hockey night in Canada sweatshirts.  Dear jury committee, if you’re reading this post, PLEASE do us this huge favour and move us to Artisan’s Way.  Thank you kindly.

Magazines are also finalizing their Holiday Gift Guide line ups this month so I’ve been busy approaching a few prospective publications to send them press releases of our new Hot Water Bottle Covers.  Oh jeez did I forget to talk about our new hot water bottle covers on my blog??  Our hotties are special because the covers are made from recycled military wool blankets! Available in both 100% wool and wool blend, covers are ornamented with our “woodland-chic” design to add to its beauty. Hand sewn and silk screened here in our studio, hotties are available in army green and slate gray.

Last but not least did I happen to mention that we’re doing the Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend?! This three day outdoor craft show starts tomorrow and is located at the Riverdale Farm, just east of the city.  There’s about 200 vendors at the show, some of whom you’ll recognize from the One Of A Kind Show.  The streets srrounding the park also has lots of garage sales and stuff going on that same weekend so there’s lots to do.  It’s totally a fun day out especially if the weather holds (which it’s supposed to.  Woohoo!). If I’m not mistaken, there’s even a petting zoo in the park for the kids!

As much as I love the Cabbagetown Show, what I don’t love is that the show doesn’t assign us booth locations, so it’s first come first served.  The show doesn’t open until 1p.m. but the park officially opens at 6 in the morning, so it’s up to us to go early enough to get a good spot.  I know vendors who sleep in their cars and step onto the grounds at 6:01 to get a good corner location!  This way of doing things always freaks me out a little bit.  It reminds me of the land claiming race in the movie “far and Away”.  In the movie people get shot for starting the race too early, or trampled by horses while rushing around, or get executed by fellow artisans, oops I mean land claimers, for their piece of land.  Like I said, it freaks me out a little bit.

But I do plan on going early tomorrow.  I would REALLY like a corner if I can help it.  There’s tons I still have to do for the show anyways so I guess I can go to the park, rush for land, set up my tent, and come back to finish up.  Eek!  Like I said, I should be daydreaming about baguettes and practicing my merci buckets right now…

If you’re around this weekend, come by the show!  We’d love to see you

Categories: Shows and Events, store update.
Tags: Cabbagetown Festival, hot water bottle covers, military blankets, New Product.
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