Welcome to my happy place of DIY, homemade, homegrown, handmade, nourished & crafted, whole hearted living. Finding magic in the mundane & growing some roots in the process.
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Since it’s the month of Confidence, I figured maybe it was high time to put what I’ve been working on into action. So much easier said than done!
Self confidence is scary.
A couple weeks ago, a darling 20-something I used to teach contacted me about a new market series she and her mom were planning. Her family owns a cute little boutique store out of a pretty pioneer home here in my valley, and they hold outdoor markets there in the front yard throughout the summer months.
Midway Market
Their shop is one of my favorite stops during Swiss Days.
If you haven’t visited their market during the annual craft fair hullabaloo, then you have seriously missed out! It is totally worth the walk. Plus, it gives you an excuse to leave crowded town square and explore Midway main street while you soak in the glory of all the gorgeous old architecture.
Swoon worthy, I tell you!
In an effort to keep the magic of Swiss Days going throughout the summer, Lindsay and Deanne have planned a weekly market Thursday mornings throughout July and August leading up to the big one Labor Day Weekend.
Their kick off to the summer market series is the last Thursday in June from 9am-1pm.
You can learn more about the market HERE if you’d like to go shop or be a vendor.
Being a vendor, sigh.
Back to the overly worded story…
My basement is starting to look like a furniture store and the hubs thinks his truck deserves a spot in the garage, so the thought of holding a market of my own has been on my mind for months. I had planned to have one out of my garage this month but life got in the way.
It’s funny but ever since I posted about confidence, opportunities that require it keep popping up. I had to teach the women’s group at my church for the first time in 13 years, signed up for a blogging engagement (Hey, those things are terrifying to me!), chased around people I don’t know from Adam for scouts, and said no to some hard stuff… along with a dozen other situations that normally make me hide in my closet and pretend I’m not home. Er, I mean, I don’t do that. That would be strange, right?
I’m starting to see a pattern here.
I guess when you open yourself up to a lesson, the Lord teaches.
Remind me never to choose the word “patience”. I shudder at the thought of what comes with that! This mama ain’t up for that ride, y’all.
After days of thinking about my hoard excess furniture situation, I called my husband and asked for his thoughts on me doing the Midway Market. Gotta say, he is much more talkative when he’s been stuck in a diesel for days on end, need to remember that for the future! I kind of like it!
The hubs surprised me and told me to register.
Back in the early 2000’s, my aunts and I had attempted to sell the baby items we were creating. We had a ton of fun making things together. It was a creative outlet for me and I loved the thought of it. My aunt created a little website and we set up a booth at the Provo Farmers Market only to have other booth owners stalk our stuff and come back with duplicates the next week that they sold for less. It was really frustrating for all of us, but especially for me. I spent all my extra cash on fabric and supplies but it just didn’t stretch. I had lots of little babies and money was tight so I couldn’t create to the extent I wanted. I had big dreams, a notebook full of ideas, and an empty wallet.
My husband gently told me one night that it wasn’t my season, and he was right.
I needed to live in the young mother moment I was in.
I knew it, and yet at the same time I felt like I’d failed. It hurt for a long time.
Flash forward a mothering chapter, and I found myself on the phone with that handsome, rock of a man telling me that the time is now.
It’s my season.
I hung up the phone, had a little cry, said a prayer, and filled out the registration for the market. After the money was submitted I started panicking. What if people hate my stuff? What if they think my prices are too high and want me to sell it for nothing? What if I don’t make anything and I wasted all that time and my tent blows over and my pieces get broken and I don’t have enough change and I have toilet paper on my shoe and I humiliate myself and then I throw up?
What, stuff like that doesn’t go through your mind?
Weird.
Forget imagining, at that point I needed to throw up!
I knew I was being a nut, so I took a deep breath, went out to the garage, and started painting.
I’m not sure why creating is so therapeutic for me, but there’s just something about it that calms me down and fills my cup.
As I worked, I went over the pros of doing the market.
A quote came to mind I had seen a while back that said, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
I realized that I have been clinging on to that past season because it was comfortable. I knew what to do like the back of my hand. Raising teeny tinies is no longer a challenge for me. But this new season, this one where I can’t hide behind diapers and sippy cups? Where I have more time and money to make dreams happen? Yeah, these are uncharted waters for me, people! I’m being stretched and it’s uncomfortable. That artistic gypsy side of me that loves change and spontaneity has been grounded for a very long time.
What if I don’t remember how to fly?
Guess I’ll never know if I hide in my closet.
So if you are in the area come find me, June 30th, at The Midway Market and say hello.
I’ll have furniture, home decor, some vintage items, and a little bit of handmade thrown in just for the heck of it.
Speaking of heck. If I look like it, I’m probably just nervous so maybe give me a hug and tell me something funny.
I promise not to puke on you.
Well, here I go!
I started a new notebook of ideas, the paint and saws have been pulled out, and my creative juices (and tummy) are churning.
Where’s the fun in playing it safe, anyway?
Oooh I can’t wait to come see the market! All the stuff I have that you’ve created is gorgeous, and u get tons of compliments on it. So yeah. I need more. <3
Yay! I’ll be happy to see a friendly face! 🙂
Way to go Missy!!! This sounds amazing, I will be there:)