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This Little Piggy Went to Market

Yes, this little piggy did go to market and shouted, “Wee, wee, wee!” all the way home. If there’s ever been a kid in a candy store, it was me at Atlanta’s market! Was it work? Yes! Was I tired? Yes! I think I fell into bed with one shoe off and one shoe on. But, all in all I had an absolute blast and can’t wait to go again.

Itsy Bitsy Spider and other Nursery Rhymes

I have a wee, itsy bitsy booth from which I sell a tisket and a tasket, as well as another man’s treasure; but, it is becoming quite the little business. Why oh why, did I not do this sooner? Instead, I’ve been circling the mulberry bush on a cold and frosty morning! But now I know… this is the way we build a business, build a business… so early in the morning!

In case you’ve never been to market, and know not what to do, here are a few tips to help you come rolling home with at least 3 bags full!

July CoziNest Booth Photo

My cozy little booth at Daphne Antique Galleria before the new shipments from market.

Plan Ahead

  • Make hotel reservations as close to Americasmart as you can. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott about 2 blocks away. It was a nice hotel, recently updated with a great history in Atlanta. Added note: It’s shaped like the Flat Iron Building in New York. Very pretty and unique. And…. there’s a Starbucks in the lobby where Polly put the kettle on!
  • Register ahead of time “to market, to market.” Verify before you leave that they have received all of your documents, so that you don’t go “home again, home again before market is done.”
  • Take a small rolling cart (about the size of a small backpack) with you for Cash-n-Carry items. Most items are ship-only, so plan to take your cart to market only on the days you plan to shop for cash-n-carry.
  • Make reservations at restaurants within walking distance to market. Our experience was delicious! In fact, there was no danger of the dish running away with the spoon, because we wanted to lick the plate! Our choices included, Ray’s in the City, (don’t miss the goat cheese pimento fritters!); Alma Cocina, one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure of dining in – fantastic guacamole and margaritas); and Cuts Steakhouse, where the steak was perfect and the wine divine.
Restaurants

Best tip of all… go with friends.

  • If you are a new buyer, don’t miss the new buyer breakfast in Building 3. There’s no need to see the muffin man, when you have a hot, delicious breakfast waiting for you. The information you get there is priceless. They even include tips on how to do business with exhibitors.
  • Be sure to get paper copies of each transaction. Electronics may have you on “needles and pins, when your trouble begins.” Cyberspace is one deep place.
  • If you are looking for “speckled frogs on speckled logs“, building 2 is where your garden grows. It’s helpful to have a general knowledge of what type exhibitors are in which buildings. Building One is home, decor and gifts. Two is Garden and Gifts and Building Three has Apparel, Gifts and Market Events. It is not a good idea to go eeny, meeny, miny, moe with this plan. If you can shop for three days or more, spend a day in each building. Otherwise, it is my advise to see the “temporaries” first, and then the permanents. Temporaries are special exhibitors who set up only during the shows. Permanents are self-explanatory… they are at market year-round.
  • Go with a budget and stick to it! You do not want to go home as Lucy Locket who lost her pocket.
  • People watch! It’s such fun. You’ll see lassies and laddies going this way and that.
  • Be sure to attend at least one event. We were fortunate enough to hear Sarah Jessica Parker speak about her shoe business. We weren’t in the market for shoes, one, two with or without the buckle, but marketing is marketing. So this little teapot, short and stout, sat in to hear Sarah Jessica shout about success.
sarah jessica parker - atlanta market

shopping partner

My shopping partner/assistant/or…A very good friend
I happened to meet, rig-a-jig-jig and away we went.

This Little Piggy Went Home

And here are a few of the treasures you’ll find in the booth:

nickel and wood pedestal

This gorgeous nickel and wood pedestal sells for $47.50. It is beautifully crafted and can be used as a pedestal in your decor or a fruit tray, cheese tray, or simply alone. It is functional and pretty.

moonshine jugs

There’s a set of three of these rustic and nostalgic “moonshine” jugs. Large-$40; Medium-$22..50; Small-$12..50

galvanized hurricanes

These are likely my favorite find. I’ve not seen anything like them elsewhere and I’m so excited to offer them at the booth. Galvanized hurricanes in two pieces. The bottom can also be used as a wood serving bowl. If you are looking for something sizeable, unique, functional and pretty, then stop by the booth soon. I’m not expecting these to be there long. Large-$130.00; Small (even the small one is quite sizeable)-$82.50

ceramic flower

An aqua, ceramic flower offers texture, dimension and visual appeal to your decor and sells for $27.50. It compliments the upholstered chair in this photo beautifully. The chair is a rescue that I had reupholstered. Another favorite of mine in the booth. It is so comfortable and would make a great bedroom chair. It’s only $290, marked down from $325 for the month of August.

Yes, I’ve shouted wee, wee, wee, all the way home. And now, it’s like Christmas every time FEDEX knocks on my door.  While this post was fun and childlike, there’s some serious shopping waiting for you. If you happen to shop while I’m at the booth, come in and visit with me. I’ll give you a friendly discount. Hi! Ho! Hi! Ho! It’s off to CoziNest I go…

Daphne Antique Galleria

1699 US Highway 98

Daphne, AL 36526

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