The Real Life of a Vendor in January

So let me just catch you up. I was already low on furniture for the booth when January started. Honestly, I thought I could just restock when I found the “perfect pieces.” Normally people aren’t buying a lot of furniture in January since most people have spent a good amount of money on Christmas presents. But this month the most awesome thing has happened. On Sunday (01/04) I brought this dry sink I painted over the holiday break to the booth.

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Then on Tuesday (01/06) of the following week, I brought this postal desk and it sold that Saturday (01/10). I haven’t even had time to write a blog post about either one yet so act surprised when you see them again, ok?

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I brought this console table to the booth the very next day on Sunday (01/11). Coincidentally, the portrait of the lady stayed home.

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Then I was at Renninger’s last Friday (01/16) when I got the call that this dresser had sold.

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But like I mentioned, I wasn’t super worried because I had this piece to replace it with. So I spent all day Saturday (01/17) painting and getting the dresser ready to bring to the booth on Sunday.

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Saturday afternoon, I was getting ready for a birthday party when I got a call from The Pickers Market that this piece had sold. Over the Christmas break I painted the top in Paris Grey to match the bottom so the unit looked more cohesive. This is a shot when the top was painted in Pure White and the bottom in Paris Grey. Within weeks of marrying the two pieces, it sold after months of sitting stagnate in the booth. No playing, I was like, “This is SO crazy! OMG this NEVER happens!” I only had one piece to bring to the booth and now two pieces were missing.

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I woke up early Sunday (01/18) and headed to the store to try to make my booth look as decent as possible given my lack of furniture. I brought the dresser I had finished on Saturday and one of the nightstands the bedroom. I got everything in place just in time for the doors to open and we were slammed from the get go. So imagine my surprise when someone bought three pieces of furniture out of my booth. Two of which I had put in there that very morning. It was elated and panicked all at the same time.

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I wish I had taken a picture of my booth. It gives me the giggles because it looks like I’m moving out. S was kind enough to spend Sunday looking for furniture. She found this radio cabinet and hauled it home for me.

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I painted it with Annie Sloan Country Grey and Old White just like I did with the dresser that sold this past Sunday. Thankfully, this piece has been delivered to the booth this week and two of the vendors gave me tables to help hold smalls.

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I spent Monday of this week painting all day. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning were spent looking for new inventory items. I found a bookcase that I plan to use for display and a small three-drawer dresser that I’m going to paint today. If you’re wondering what I did on Thursday, I was icing my back he he. I’m still on the hunt for statement pieces so keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to get everything restocked and painted. It humbles me with gratitude every time I think about how many people have purchased furniture I’ve painted with their hard earned money.

I hope you guys have a happy weekend. I have some celebrating to do which I’m excited about. See you back here on Monday. I’m teaming up with these ladies for a new link party and I’ll have a Valentine craft you won’t want to miss!

Link Party

Many blessings,

CoCo

 

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17 Comments

  1. That’s awesome Coco!! Your pieces are beautiful!! Hope you find lots more goodies to paint!

    1. Thank you bunches, Angie, I’ve been going out as much as I can to try to find new inventory. I just need a few more key pieces and I’ll be set!

  2. Dearest CoCo – I am exhausted for you…that is a lot of work! How exciting that you have so so many pieces though. It goes to show what wonderful taste and painting skills that you have. And can I just say how much I love that new painted cabinet? I need it in my home by Monday…okay?

    1. ha ha you’re so sweet Vicki, thank you! The cabinet would be perfect in your home. It’s beautiful and refined just like you :}

  3. Coco, WOW, how exciting. you had to feel so excited all your beautiful pieces being scooped right up before you even had time to paint more. Bravo to you girl. I have never painted furniture with chalk paint before and need to start.
    You go girl xo Lisa

    1. The application of chalk paint is so easy, I really think you would like it Lisa! I’m going to be a painting machine until I can get the booth restocked!

    1. Thank you so much Kathleen, I really appreciate it!

  4. You’re on fire this month CoCo! Maybe you could start an “Ask CoCo” post or “CoCo’s Challenge” and we could send you photos of furniture projects for your suggestions? I know I have a “few” photos to send! Congratulations and keep up the awesome projects 🙂 Bwg ~~~

    1. That’s sweet of you to suggest, Bobbi, you know I’ll help you in any way I can!

  5. That is so funny! Everyone is worried that business will be slow in the months following Christmas. But we are always pleasantly surprised at the amount of furniture that we sell in Jan and Feb. I think homes looks so bare after all of the decorations are stored away that folks want to freshen up! Bring it on!

    You go girl! Hopefully you can stay stocked!

    1. Thank you so much for the encouragement, Sue. I know you can totally relate to what I’m going through as a fellow business owner. I can definitely say this was my biggest January ever and I am keeping the streets hot to get restocked 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Rebekah, I appreciate it very much!

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