Had a WONDERFUL Time at the B&G Sponsored Events Bazaar

Had an absolutely wonderful time at the B&G Sponsored Event Bazaar today. Met so many wonderful vendors and guests. Sold some books and bought some amazing things…

 

I’ve collected business cards from some of the finest-quality vendors who were in the room I was in and I want to share them (and their websites or Facebook pages when available) so you can look over their wares and find out where they’ll be displaying them next at Tacoma/Pacific NW venues.

 

Alphabetical Order

(so I don’t look like I’m playing favorites since they’re ALL among my favorites!!!)

 

AniTotes

(no website yet; her niece will create it when she finishes her webmaster course in college)

Email address:

candy52vegasATgmailDOTcom

 

 

This was the vendor to my immediate left yesterday. I’m not normally a tote collector, but I was astounded by the quality of Candace Anijo’s craftsmanship and materials, and by the cornucopia of options. She displayed at least fifty totes (plus TV room pillows with remote holders) and said she has hundreds more.

 

She retired last year and has been following this passion ever since. I just had to get this one because … ANIMALS and QUALITY!!!  I told her she needs to raise her prices, seriously. She isn’t charging enough for the value she’s giving with these totes, by a long shot. I told her if she isn’t making at least 100% profit from selling them, including the time it takes to make each tote, she’s selling herself short. She laughed…but by the time we finished talking, I convinced her. (Two other vendors pitched in to underscore the validity of what I was saying.) She puts her heart and soul into each of these unique creations, and it shows. She uses top quality materials that cost her a pretty penny just to procure, too! She needs to raise her prices!

It turns out Candace lives very near me  and she’s planning to start playing pickle ball and wally ball with me soon. She’s a delightful gal and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.

 

Crafts by Ycart

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/craftsbyycart/

 

Crafts by Ycart Artist: Tracy Darlene Harris

Tracy is another solid craftsman whose work shows in every way. She has scores of vision boards with all different kinds of fabrics and brads to choose from. She also wants me to speak to some of her career groups in the near future. I very much look forward to that!

 

She wrote on the back of my Vision Board, “Kris, Keep Smiling!” and on the tag on the gift bag she wrote, “For your 2020 journey!” (She knows I’m having chest masculinization surgery in 2020 and that I have some possibilities lined up to celebrate DeForest Kelley’s centennial birthday celebration in Georgia at a museum and Trek convention.) She’s a delightful lady and I look forward to getting to know her better!

 

TOUCHSTONE CRYSTAL AT SWAROVSKI

Mariah Wells with Touchstone Crystals didn’t need to sell me on the value of Swarovski products–DeForest and Carolyn Kelley were huge fans of Swarovski, their fans knew it and often sent them Swarovski sculptures, which Carolyn treasured and was heartbroken to lose during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Losing those even made her swear (a rarity, to be sure!), “It’s just the shits!  Of course, we could replace them, but they came from fans and we knew who each of them were from, so it isn’t just the replacement value, it’s the sentimental value…”

I’m not a jewelry wearer, but if you are, take a look at Mariah’s page (link above). You’ll love what you find there!

Undeniable! (fashions by Nathalie)

 

 

 

Nathalie Bajinya has an incredible life story that she wants me to help her tell. Born in the Congo and originally French-speaking, her parents were killed in a bloody massacre and she was charged at a very early age with taking care of her youngest siblings, one of whom was (if I recall correctly) three at the time. Her uncle wanted the kids out of his hair so he could get their property; he killed Nathalie’s twin sister and did unspeakable things to Nathalie.

 

She was eventually kidnapped or sold into the sex slave trade as a prepubescent girl and later became a foster child in a Catholic orphanage (where she learned her sewing craft), immigrated as an asylum-seeker to America and entered the foster care system here, and became a naturalized citizen (where the racism, xenophobia and outright disdain of far too many white Americans threw her for a serious loop that rivaled the worst of her treatment in Africa), and finally (recently) set up a boutique apparel and African jewelry and artifacts shop in Lakewood.

 

I was riveted by her story, which someone in the biz in Hollywood wants to turn into a screenplay as soon as she gets it down on paper in book form–something I’m going to help her do–so I definitely plan on getting to know her and her wonderful family better.

 

She and her husband (also a naturalized refugee but from another country in Africa) have an adorable infant son who sat, smiled, slept and charmed his way through the day without so much as a weepy moment. The couple wore and displayed some of her customized apparel, and I was blown away by everything I saw at their table. And by them, frankly. A beautiful family!!! I’m going to see if she can make me something masculine or unisex-looking after I’ve had my chest surgery and tummy tuck so I can start wearing classy stuff like what she makes.

Website: UndeniableBajinya.com

 

The Washroom

 

Last but not least, I spotted a couple of ladies selling handmade soap and other body care products. When I saw they had goat milk and hemp-based soap, I suggested they put that prominently on their chalkboard to let people know, because that was definitely “come hither” information, so they did that.

 

I bought four bars of goat milk soap and one of hemp because they all smelled so good, and I know how great goat milk soap is for the body and how long it lasts.

 

Then I asked what their most popular, best-selling product was and they showed me the product below. It smells like heaven (presuming heaven has a scent). They put a wee bit on my hand and I rubbed it in and practically swooned, so I got a small jar of it, and I can’t stop using it. It has the most divine scent and it makes my hands look young again. So I’m sold. It also has little sparkles in it, which I didn’t remember seeing when I tried the sample, but I look a little like I’ve been sprinkled in fairy dust (not doused, just the right amount) where I’ve applied it. I love it!!!

 

UPDATE: My sister and best friend tried the body butter I bought and went nuts over it, too, so I plan to get extra jars of it for them next month at the B&G Holiday Bazaar. Jackie says she’ll give me the money. I’ll get a jar for Lisa as a Christmas present. If you want to order some, email Deborah at the email address shown on the jar in the image below and/or visit the Facebookm page and IM her…

The Washroom

Facebook Page

My first experience at B&G Sponsored events, in May or June, was pretty much a washout. I only sold one book. I sold several this time, and traded one with Thara Bedford for two of her priceless toilet paper rolls. I also commissioned her to make two more rolls that are Dr. McCoy-centric, so I’ll be getting those at the December 14th B&G Sponsored Events Christmas bazaar. I’m looking forward to that!  Here are images of the two I got yesterday from Thara…

 

The last B & G Sponsored Events bazaar this year will be Saturday, December 14th between 10 and 5 at First Christian Church of Tacoma, 602 Orchard Street. I’ll be there and I hope see see you there, too!