Fun at the Wilder Mansion Holiday Market

The Wilder Mansion Holiday Market was a lovely event. The drive to Elmhurst was bright with scenic Fall colors.

The Mansion is impressive.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to live there in the stately rooms with beautiful crown molding, fancy chandeliers and gran fireplaces.

Unloading was in full swing when I arrived, but I was the first in my room on the first floor.

I unloaded my car and then drove to the designated parking area at Elmhurst College.

The short walk was lovely.

Soon my wares were all set up, and I was able to take a peek at the other rooms, which weren’t fully set up yet.

Everyone’s art work is so inspiring, and I wish I could have shopped a little.

I bumped into a vendor from the Ravenswood ArtWalk and one I had recently met at a Ravenswood Women in Business Chamber event.

There was jewelry made from broken china-both antique and more current.

Across the room a real loom was being used for more lovely bags.

We were provided some sustenance shortly before the doors opened, which made me feel well cared for.

Soon the doors were opened, and streams of people started walking in.

My first sale was to a friend, but that garnered more sales as the evening went along, which made me very happy.

I celebrated with some prosecco.

Before we knew it it was time to cover up our tables and leave the building for the night.

I splurged on a hotel room nearby to save me the stress of driving late at night and early in the morning.

I was thinking I would have a cocktail and snack at the bar, but the ‘bar’ was a vending machine.

So I settled for beer and popcorn and made myself at home upstairs.

My sore feet recovered sightly during a bath, and I read a little before sleeping fitfully in a strange bed-next to a freeway.

The next morning some sad news made it hard to prepare, but I put on my bright yellow dress and shifted into vending mode.

To start we were provided a lovely spread of breakfast foods and coffee.

Then we all uncovered our tables.

I uncovered my table and once again the minute the doors opened we had a steady stream of attendees.

Within the first hour I sold 4 ornaments, and more sales kept coming.

To cover fair expenses and make some extra money was a very validating experience.

I did a little shopping with my neighbors.

Traffic continued to be steady during the afternoon.

I think most people did well.

Then the doors were closed and we started tearing down our booths.

I still love my handy bag, and it was surreal to only fill my ornament box halfway.

The weekend sales filled me with contentment, and I am grateful more pieces have found new owners throughout the month.

My next pop-up will be on Small Business Saturday on Damen Avenue.

I’m heading to the studio to replenish my ornaments for that event.