MAJESTYinc

In the Green

This past Market Day was fantastic on more than one account.

Firstly, the most important thing is that all my start up costs have been paid for and I have erased all my debt! I am overwhelmed because I thought that if I break even this summer I would be satisfied. But it took less than two Saturdays to pay for my tent, tables.... etc. It was a great day.... the weather was perfect, and all the people were really friendly. Green's ham and eggs had "Wild Fiddle heads" and even though they are 10 feet away I kept forgetting to ask what Wild Fiddle heads are. It is still a mystery so maybe I will Google it one of these days. Did I mention that the people were friendly? The most excited people came to my booth and they had tons of praise for my product. That makes my day, really. They suggested that I send a bag to Oprah and see if she will promote it. I don't know if I will, but it would be very cool to see a celebrity holding a Majesty Bag! The past week I bought some bath salts from the Urban Salt Box, which are great, by the way, but not so great for eating. I know.. who would eat bath salts? I don't know who, but for future reference for people who love salt, this kind may burn your tongue. (Yes, I did try some.. I don't know what I was thinking.) I also met a local artist that makes interactive art. This was a board with two shoes attached, so that two people could wear each shoe and walk together as in a three legged race. It was interesting... and I look forward to seeing a demo sometime.  But the absolute best part of my day was near tear-down-time when a busker serenaded me with "Mama look a boo boo" by Harry Belefonte. It was amazing. How much do we love the King of Calypso here at Majesty. It just cannot be measured.

This coming weekend I will not be at the Market, I am a Camp Counselor for the kids at church instead. We are going to be at Camp Nakamun, and I look forward to it every single year! It is so much fun to get to hang out with the kids all weekend, and we jam-pack the weekend with so many activities there is no chance of anyone being bored. I am hoping this year that the kids will actually let me get some sleep..... Maybe I can bring some work with me and set up my own mini sweatshop for the weekend. "No kids, you can't go swimming until you finish stitching up those wallets". That would make me the least popular leader I am sure.... lol.

This week I am working on some passport sleeves, and trying not to look at the big stack of messenger bags that I need to put together. It sometimes seems like such a chore.

I dreamed last night that I changed my name to Chucky Cheese. Quite Bizarre really.

Oh, and I have been really lazy with the movie project lately... I have two movies to write about but I haven't had time!!! But Hudson Hawk is still the worst movie that I have seen this year.

Sew Busy this week....

That's right I was. I sewed all day and all night... not true... I am a boring accounting clerk by day, by night I am an unstoppable sewing machine! Or is that conceited? Anyhow, this week I managed to unveil a whole new product! I have a dozen wallets for sale starting this Saturday at the City Market on 104th. It is my first attempt, so I need some praise.I also have some new cosmetic bags, and some new designs for card cases. I have a dozen new tote bags to sell, and I am going to cry when they sell because they are so pretty, and I want them all for myself!

Why haven't I posted pictures to get you to drool? Oh because my computer actually crashed this week, and I am saving up for a mac book. Hopefully I won't have to save for long..... and then I can actually access my on line store and post new items soon!

I also have been having very bizarre dreams lately... one night I robbed a pop machine and then knocked off a jewelery store. ??? I haven't even been watching any strange movies lately either. But I did watch the season premiere of "So you think you can dance" last night. I am a fan. I am also a fan of "Rock Star"... which is like American idol without the Bette Midler. One of the buyers in my company came down today and did some impressions of the performance that Bette did the other night. So funny. I choose to remember Bette in one of my favorite movies instead... "Big Business". I wish I could yodel.... and I bet there is a class somewhere that can teach me!

Market Day

In spite of it being really chilly out today... I had so much fun at the market! It took a while to get set up.... next week will be easier because I won't have plastic tablecloths. Ugh. I forgot how they like to blow away. And hopefully I will have the rest of my banners finished and also more displays. My best sellers were still the favorites...

   

And some very kind people helped me set up my booth, brought me a hot chocolate, brought me change, and watched my booth so I could have a break. My favorite person of the day saw me rubbing my hands together because of the cold, and gave me a pair of gloves. Wow... the kindness of a stranger. The booth next to me sells aromatherapy bath salts, so it's smelling wonderful to the south of me. To the east of me is a fish seller, so it may not be my favorite scent, but it is very market-ey.

About a hundred people came up and said that they saw me in the Journal.... and a few even mentioned that was the reason they came to the market in the first place. It was actually really wonderfull to have the support of Edmontonians. And most people said that the picture looked nothing like me. Especially when I did an impression to make them laugh. One person said "Oh, that was you? I thought you would be taller". They looked really dissapointed too... I didn't know what to say! I am sorry I am only five foot two. It's not my fault, I ate vegetables and have never had a cup of coffee ever. Or smoked. So I don't know what happened. I have heard that I was dropped as a child though. On the cement. Alcohol may have been involved.....

Next week... more Bird Silhouette cosmetic bags, Green Green Grass Cosmetic bags, black and white totes.... maybe I can premiere my messenger bags and possibly some wallets.

I RE-met a really nice girl who makes Cupcakes and she seemed to like the cupcake bags that I sell. I love compliments! I also love the fact that Ailynn has worked hard, and now she is opening up a retail location. Fantastic! Check out her website for more info.

Oh... and I saw a man dressed up as the Highlinger fish man. Yellow slicker and a great beard!

One wonderful day off...and two not so good.

I had one of the best days on Thursday! Not only did I get to sleep in until 8:00 AM... wow, that almost never happens... and it won't happen for a loooooong time. When the farmers market starts, set up is at 7:30 am. Oh... you said something about Sunday? Well... of course it is the "Sabbath" day, and I like going to the early early service at church. Why do I like to get up earlier than I technically have to? Oh, because our church is bursting at the seams and large groups of people freak me out. (Along with babies and centipedes) It is less crowded, and since I am not a morning person I don't have to be fake polite to people. Anyhow... that was interesting. 

I drove all over town to find deals on vinyl... and I found the grossest shade of yellow at Marshall's Discount Fabrics. I am in love with it... I wish I had bought the whole roll! It is just so ugly.... it makes me wonder what the person looks like who would look good in it. I mean.. they must be pretty pretty... or pretty ugly.

Another great thing was that I found $5.00 in my car. I know it's only five dollars but the fact that it was there hiding from me all this time, and I found it on my day off. It's like on any other day it wouldn't have been found.

I finished stitching up a bunch of things to sell at the market, and I believe that there is a sneak peek on my flickr site? Um... yes, yes there is. Right this way.....

And I found a date to see the new Skrek movie that opens up Friday. I am super excited, because it is so rare that I plan to see a movie on the day that it comes out. The last movie I saw the day it came out was "The Matrix" and it was at the Paramount theater downtown. People were lined up around the block, and it was starting to rain. I think they closed that theater down. I wish that there were more older movie theaters left.

And then this morning, I woke up to the most UN-flattering photo of myself that I have ever seen gracing the front page of the "B" section of the paper. It has a huge double chin, strange handi-capped looking smile, and half closed squidgy eyes. Even though I called the paper in advance and politely asked them to use any of the other pictures that they took.. to please NOT use that UN-flattering picture because I will be mortified and want to die. They (the reporter) said "Sure Julie, don't worry, the photo's that I have seen look great so far". That took the ball of acid out of my tummy for a week, only to discover that they did indeed, put an ugly picture of me in the paper anyhow. I am very upset. I know that it's not they're fault that I gained some pounds over the past two years, it's my fault. But if your picture is going to be seen by thousands of people, it would have been really nice if you could at least look good, or, how I look on a regular basis... "Not Bad". And they did take some nicer photo's, they just didn't use them. And I am sad, and also not eating anything until that photo becomes a distant memory where I can say, "That can't be me, it looks nothing like me!" I guess the major outcome of this particular moment in my life, is that there is nothing like a bad picture to make you want to get into those size 2 jeans again. Sigh.

Its been an ETSY week.....

So many wonderful things have arrived in the mail for me lately! I love receiving mail. It really doesn't matter what it is, cards, post cards, bills.... but the best thing is getting something wonderful. Bills aren't wonderful. They are evil and try to force you to be responsible. The first wonderful thing is that my promo buttons arrived from KittyCrossBones!!! Yay for one inch buttons featuring my wonderful Majesty Crown Logo. I am not a computer genius, so she even did the digital work for me at no charge. I am so glad that I was in that chat room to snag the 50% off sale she had! Did you know that Etsy people do that? 50% off sales? At least one person does, so that's why I bought 500. I figured that it was the best deal. And, they arrived so quickly and with a 10% off next order coupon how can you go wrong? I am already thinking up my next order......

The next wonderful thing is that a super cute LEATHER wallet arrived from Hollyhawk, another awesome Etsy seller of course. Do I actually shop anywhere else? Nope. Things in stores are generic.

Etsy sellers + Supplies = Amazing Unique Items for you and me.

   

Anyhow... the reason that I like the goods from Hollyhawk are that they are unique. And really special too... you can tell that she puts a lot of care into what she makes. The silk screening is amazing! Belts and wallets and arm cuffs... all very pretty. And I also like the use of different textures of leather as well... that is something I have not tried with my beloved  vinyl. And this amazing wallet has a squid on it! I have a soft spot for squid and octopie. Mmmmm.... not for eating though. Fish are friends not food.

The third wonderful thing arrived just today, and that would be my Enameled necklace from Orange Peel Enamel. I have been watching this shop for the design that I liked the most, and it popped up on my screen when I was on vacation. Now... there comes a time in every girls life when they have to decide to go with they're gut and BUY IT RIGHT THAT VERY SECOND BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES. I live in regret at not buying "The Hat". (More about "The Hat" later). Anyhow... I am so glad that I picked this up because it was completely delightful to receive in the mail. First off, it's in a shiny white box with a RIBBON. Wow. And then, layers of tissue, and oh more layers of tissue....! Very nice touch. And then the precious necklace all wrapped up safely in bubble wrap. I am so impressed. The presentation alone is making me want to send more money. It was like my own private show! Can you see it up on the marquee? "Opening Presents" starring Julie Morrison. (Anyone who knows me well knows that is my favorite show, and I would go every day if I could). Sigh. And the pendant is gorgeous. And I love it.

Otherwise... I have been sewing and making lots of pretty things! I was in the land of far far away for two weekends, trying to get some work done whilst visiting with 4 pretty girls.... (I didn't get that much done) Also Garage Sailing this past weekend... getting rid of J.U.N.K -some cool some not cool. I have inherited a few more "Favorite" things to add to my collection. A brass lamp with prisms hanging off of it--- matches my awesome Chandelier that I got from the land of far far away 2 years ago. Also a vintage cabinet that is my new side board. But inside are a TON of vintage records... I am sure that most of them are Ukranian music but that is fine by me. I will maybe take up the Shumka one of these days before my arthritis gets any worse. And a cut glass mirror that is very vintage as well. I love it. So many wonderfull things to remind myself of my Grandparents every day and how hard they had to work for those things. More about that later......

Have a super week because I know I will.... I have "Oliver!" tickets and I get to go with one of my favorite people too.