Good news. I got back from the trade fair earlier than expected, because why stick around when I got my contracts signed and sealed within the day. Yeah *punch the air*!!! I was so glad I had dusted off my ten-year-old classically cut suit, because there were a lot of 'suits' around and I blended in seamlessly. Plus I wasn't feeling well on the day, so my 'suit of armor' helped me appear more professional. Oh, I managed to surreptitiously snap some photos too :)
Anyway, the company I had earmarked had the biggest booth by far, with a nice seating area, beautiful displays and even catering. I was extremely lucky that the agent assigned to me turned out to be a friendly, efficient lady not much older than me. We had an instant rapport and it was pretty much smooth sailing. The best news by far was that my complete order will be shipped to me next week. I can hardly believe it! I'm so excited! The nice agent told me that next season I won't need to go all the way to Cologne, she will come straight to my house where I can peruse the samples in the comfort (and quiet) of my home. Cool, huh?
After, I quietly pack up my stuff, thinking that maybe I'll grab a sandwich or something when just a couple of feet from where I was sitting I notice a tall, blond woman...Oh. my. God. It's Amy Butler. Now I know how my blog buddy Nancy felt, when she spotted Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps at her pool! In case you don't know who Amy is, well, she's like the queen of handmade. She's one of the top US fabric and lifestyle designers and hugely successful. So, I watch her for a while - she's very friendly in a business-like manner and an excellent sales person, I note - then because she's standing so close to me I decide to introduce myself. We shake hands...and then I momentarily forget how to speak English. How embarrassing. But then she asks me something and thankfully my brain kicks into gear quickly :)
And here I am with my nerdy glasses on and grinning like a loon. p.s. I told you she was tall ;-)
Bye for now!
What a fun post to read, right up my alley. You and Amy look great, how exciting!
ReplyDeleteLove your shop!! Great article...and, btw, your glasses don't look nerdy at all. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day Duni! Congratulations on the order and on meeting Amy Butler! That's a great photo of the two of you too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic day you had. How great that the agent will come to your house next year. Very cool meeting Amy Butler. I think you look good in your glasses, not nerdy at all. You should see mine...lol
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to meet Amy Butler! I think it would be fun to spend a day at a trade fair...all that inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day! Amy's fabric is so great...and she makes scrapbook paper out of her designs as well!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that your rep. will come to your house next time!
What fun! I love her new fabric line. I use it for my noonies!
ReplyDeleteWow, Duni, what a fantastic day!!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah!! It sounds like it was wonderful. And how nice that you will be able to work directly with agents--hopefully that means you won't have the same problems with customs as you are having right now?
ReplyDeleteHello Duni! You look so dignified in your outfit. I love your inner blouse by the way.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that things became easier for you now. As I have told you, I always believe that creative minds should not be kept waiting. This time destiny connived with your great plans. Destiny made it a bit easier for you. I'm sure you are so excited about the arrival of your order. I am happy for you too.
I also share the same experience whenever I see up and close the people whom I admire. I suddenly run out of words. I get starstrucked too! Hehehehe
Have a great week ahead! :)
Hallo Duni
ReplyDeleteIch kan leider nicht alles lesen und verstehen was du geschrieben hast, aber das du Amy Butler gesehen und gesprochen hast, das schon!
Wie cool!!!
Liebe Grüße Miriam
Duni, I am so happy for you!! What a wonderful experience!!! I always wish all good things for you, sweet friend!! : )
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fun day and so exciting! Good job!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you got things done quickly and everything was a success! How nice to have such convenient shopping methods for the future too:)
ReplyDeleteAlso, how exciting to see Amy Butler! You may have forgotten how to speak english momentarily, but at least you said something to her unlike my awkward passage of staring! Hahah.
Very cool! That sounds like a fun and productive trip with the added benefit of meeting Amy Butler!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that fun to meet a celeb like that???! And then to see that they are actually nice?? :) Sweet!
ReplyDeleteThat is an adorable photo of you two. :)
SO nice to see you Duni
ReplyDeletei see no glasses
LOL
You both looking fantastic :-)
I wish you all the luck with your lovely work YOU DESERVED it :-)
Hugs from us
Kareltje,Betsie & Anya
Glad to see you had such a great time at the trade fair AND got some work done...can't beat such a great win/win!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck with your new contracts!
Hope you're feeling better!
Congrats for your deals :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting everything completed early! I hope you are feeling better by now.
ReplyDeleteHi Duni,
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you had a fantastic time and great success at the trade fair! Your pictures are great--what a variety of textures and colors! And how fun to meet a celebrity, too!
I always enjoy stopping by to see how you're doing and to see the new things you're working on!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
Holy cow!!! That is sooo cool you got to meet Amy Butler :) Sounds like you had a very productive day that day...albeit not feeling too well. Maybe your fabric searches will be far less stressful now than waiting for months for them to go through customs!
ReplyDeleteI think you look very nice in your photo. Sorry you didn't feel well. but I'm glad the day was hugely successful for you. Sure looks like a great place. Those fabrics are SO gorgeous, but I think I would suffer sensory overload :)
ReplyDelete