The Show was a Success!

Gravenhurst Dockside Festival
We made it through the clouds, rain, thunder, lightening, torrential downpour, fog...hmmm...I think that was it...no wait...there was sunshine as well. Yeah!! My first show (and an outdoor one at that) was a success! I met so many nice people. I can't thank you enough for all your lovely comments.

I learned some good things for the future as well. I had some great comments about the setup of the booth and how I displayed my jewellery but I could see right away that some coloured fabric hanging from the back walls would make it stand out better. Also, a display case or small table at the front would help to show off more product. A sign would probably be a good idea as well. All things to consider for the future but I am very pleased with the results. I'm excited and motivated for the future. My head is spinning with ideas and it shouldn't be long until you see some of them on my website and in my etsy shop.

There's more than me behind Wallis Designs. I couldn't have done it without my family. My two daughters Erica and Sydney spent endless hours helping me get ready for the show in so many ways plus all the time they spent in the booth. My husband gave me lots of great sales advice and totally supported this venture as I spent hours making jewellery and hours on the computer in setting up nancywallisdesigns.com and promotion. My Dad and sister Karen helped me with setting and closing up the tent and my Mom made us great meals each night when we stayed at the cottage. I also want to thank my friends in the Canadian Etsy forum. Your support and encouragement has really helped me. So thanks to all of you.

Summer's Here...it's time for outdoor shows.

I just wanted to share some very exciting news. I found out on Friday that I was accepted into the Gravenhurst Dockside Festival of the Arts. I had pretty well written it off considering I had sent in my application months ago but apparently they were swamped with applications this year and it was taking them some time to get back to everyone. This is my first juried show so I'm very happy.

This exciting news spurred me into a creative frenzy on Friday afternoon. Here's a little sample of where my mind is at right now. I was totally inspired to work with some of my semi-precious stones. This picture doesn't do the colours of the stone justice but I'm inspired to do simple but beautiful beaded stone necklaces with a simple focal pendant. Pictured here I used sodalite (a beautful denim blue colour) with a sterling silver hammered pendant, garnet with a Thai floral pendant and multicoloured agate in tones of brown with a hint of burgundy accented by a fossilized round pendant. Now I just have to find the time to make one for myself!!

So if you're up in Muskoka in August drop by the Festival and come see my booth. It's a beautiful location right alongside the wharf of Gravenhurst looking onto Lake Muskoka. The show runs from Friday, August 15th (12:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.), Sat. August 16th (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and Sun. August 17th (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).