A French Holiday

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The front door adorned with a large antique feed sack.

Outside, glistening candles in old mason jars lined the brick path, fresh garland hung loosely around antique leather trunks and guests huddled together waiting to experience history in the making. A dramatic description? Perhaps, but no one could have imagined what eight local gals were up to this brisk December night. When the creaky barn doors opened a slight "ahhh" filled the air along with pine candles and the scent of the fresh lavender that was being sold. With sparkling chandeliers overhead and French music playing in this rustic barn, customers suddenly knew they were in for a Holiday treat.


It is amazing where determination (and a deadline) will get you. Three weeks ago, four of us were hauling product in and out of an Omaha ballroom and now we were doing it again, from a scratch of an idea to a complete event. Miss Frenchie's European Market was born on December 5, 2008.


Over 100 people came to the opening night benefit and we were thrilled to see them. Over 200 came the next day. None of us knew just what to expect as this was thrown together so fast but in the end we were- well I must admit, patting ourselves on the back that it was successful. Who knew? We knew we would have the goods, we knew we had the audience, we knew we could create something magical but you NEVER know if they will come especially on such short notice- but they did. In fact, this blog is dedicated to three special people who drove 13 hours straight with no sleep from New Mexico to see us just for this event. They had read about it last week and decided to hit the road. Now that is what the blog world can do. We were humbled.

Elizabeth brought all these French postcard posters formerly used in her store.

Elizabeth pulled up her 16' truck to my house Wednesday at midnight, we talked until 2 a.m. and at the barn at 10 the next day. After working out the kinks of where we were all setting up the mayhem began: Boxes, merchandise, dollies, electrical cords, tools, wire, garland, glitter, a dog, a cat, burgers and fries, cold hands, wool scarves and sore backs... did Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland go through this?


As always, forgive my soft pictures as I hate to use flash but this will give you an idea of the festivities. By the end of the week the other gals may have their blogs up too and better pictures. My images are tight as this was toward the end of the show and things were a bit picked over but Elizabeth shot some wide, professional shots so she will hopefully post soon. She may also get this event published in a national magazine. Until then, enjoy.

CURIOUS SOFA


BETH LEINTZ


KARLA NATHAN


CAROL SPINKSI


JULIE REED


GWEN MCCLURE AND TERI ELLIOTT


ELIZABETH MAXSON

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NEXT SHOW:

APRIL IN PARIS
APRIL 17 & 18, 2009

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