I have the tendency to bite off more than I can chew. I get wildly excited for a project or idea and start at a million miles per minute before life and the reality of my free time set in. I want to get my sites running. I want to host casual craft workshops. I want to sell my handmade items again. I want to build creative community. I make plans, draft lists, get started but struggle to execute with a full plate. Hard deadlines help.

In November, a friend gauged interest for a pop-up event she wanted to host at our local brewstillery (a distillery, but with beer!). The event would be a Thrift Pop-Up, where she along with some women from our community would launch their first thrifted and vintage clothing sale of what will hopefully be many. It would take place the weekend before Christmas, just 4 weeks from then. While a resale clothing event out of nowhere might not seem right for me, I saw a perfect fit for myself at this Pop-Up.

For one thing, I’ve done vendor events before. I know I do particularly well around the holidays with my stock of handmade cards, wood burned ornaments and customizable/personal gifts. Two, I recently started carving stamps to print on cards and textiles. This would be an opportunity to get them out there. And three – I’d wanted to take steps in this direction all year.

The problem? I didn’t have enough inventory of anything. Here is where the hard deadlines come in. When my to-do lists are miles long and full of theoretical ideas, it can be hard to make moves. This was concrete. This was soon. I got to work.

I gathered everything I’ve had in stock from previous sales, original prints that have been tucked away and a number of handmade items that could fill a table. Then, I took a couple of thrift store trips and found previously-loved flannels and tops that were affordable and could be customized to be loved again. I brought them home to dye, alter and stamp with my very own hand-carved stamps, focused on the region. Each item was left for days to cure, then was heat set, washed & dried – a labor of love. Last, I set up santa’s little card workshop in my living room. I hunkered down each night at my festive assembly line, rebuilding my inventory of sparkling holiday cards. With all of that – and a lot more prep work – I was ready to be a vendor at the Thrift Pop-Up.

The two-day event was a fabulous beginning for the group of ladies participating. It was the start of something magical. We had an outpouring of support from our community who showed up to shop, drink, model for us, laugh and have fun. Friday, we shared the space with our local Trivia Night (& impressed them by being fierce competitors) and look forward to doing so again. For me, the whole experience was extremely successful – and worth it. I spent time with vibrant friends (new and old), grew my network and made sold my goods. Many of you went home with items for your loved ones: wood pieces, magnets, ornaments and greeting cards of my creation. It is a joy to know that something I made brought a smile to you and yours this holiday season. I created so many things I’m proud of leading up to this event and I am so inspired to keep making more.

I talk about curating events like this, about getting my internet presence in order, about all of my creative goals. I want these things. Sometimes it takes a kick from a friend and a few weeks notice to light a fire in me to get these things done. Now, I’m motivated and so excited to keep that fire alive with more vendor events and future craft get-togethers this year.

We are getting ready for another Pop-Up event just like this in the coming weeks. I will be stocked with more new shirt designs and Valentine’s goodies for your loved ones (or unloved ones). I’ll share the details when we have them. Hope to see you there!