The Yarmouth Clam Festival was a wonderful event. I set-up on Thursday afternoon and was greeted by many friendly faces. Artisans see each other at many shows and cultivate friendships after years on the road. Spending three full days next to other artisans allows many philosophical conversations about selling products on the road, views on life and love and secrets about where the best places to dine in the area. The Clam Festival is an enjoyable event. People attend the festival year after year. Grandparents bring their grandchildren to enjoy all the festival has to offer. They love the parade (no rain on the parade this year!!!), the music, the food and the artisans. This event is a tradition for

many. Below are some of the characters I have known over the years.

Again this year I was across from the infamous Judith Barker

and her ever so helpful husband, Paul. Judith noted that she has been successfully selling her gold and silver jewelry long enough to have daughters of her customers seeking her out for ware for themselves. WHAT A TESTAMENT TO HER AND HER WORK. She is a selling machine. She takes each customer into her arms an

d listens to them to find the perfect piece for them for for a gift. People come back year after year to see her and find another treasure

Next to me is a very successful artist, Woody Jackson. He is the fella whose cow you see every time you open up a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.  He sells his art on t-shirts, canvas, calendars, mugs and more.  He is a great Vermonter and philosophical straight man.   I enjoy watching people be dazzled by his cows and other terrific scenery.  His heart is in his work, something you want to take with you.  Oh yeah…. I (happily) sold most of his wares on Sunday because he was busy “getting down” to the Wicked Good Band. 

Bestey Golon of Common Folk Farm was next to Woody so I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her laugh.  Such a hearty loving laugh.  You can imagine that she would love to invite you in for a cup of tea if she had time.

Her garden are bustling at this time of year.  She is collaborating with the Shakers in Maine as well as tending gardens of her own, teaching, and selling herbs at shows.  She and her husband Dale are wonderful people, some of the first I met as a vendor.  We share time and space at the Fryeburg

Fair, 8 days of talks, laughs and support.

I enjoy going to the festivals and artisan shows to sell my products.  Culitvating friendships with my customers has been extremely rewarding. This weekend was no exception.  Many repeat customers visited my booth to stock up on everything from Baby Bum Butter to Goat Milk Soap.

When my very busy Michelle Delucia and Eric Fisher stopped by the Clam Festival, I was humbled that they come to the festival, not only to eat the great food, but to stock up on soap.  They own and run a very successful gardening business, felting business and more called Sunshine Daydreams Gardens.

What is nice about craft shows, festivals and such is that vendors have a chance to talk shop about trends, good shows, good tents, and best prices for hotels, food and more.  We find it important to support each other as well.  Most of us purchase our gifts from each other.  Whether we trade or buy out right, we know we need to stick together.  Dan, the hot sauce guy, was my first sale on Saturday morning.  He bought my Aftershave for men.  So if you see him, make sure you tell him he smells good!!! HAHA!  Dan is a great business man.  He sells his hot sauces like there is no tomorrow.  He gives people a friendly hard time, just like your big brother or smartie pants uncle.  I was so honored to have him buy my lotion.  His website is Eatmeimhot.com An example of how successful and “dan” he is.  Friday night he was selling the heck out of his sauces and ran out of $1 bills.  He was telling people it is $10 is you don’t have exact chance, if you do, it is $8 a bottle.  We asked him if he sold any for $10 and he said yes.  HOW DOES HE DO IT?  Great sauce, check it out.

Days can be long and sometimes hot as a vendor (and customer).  When we are selling are wares alone, it is always nice when someone will watch the booth, bring you a snack or even a smile.

My friend Kevin is just the guy.  He surprised me on Saturday with a cold drink and a smile.  He helped closed the show that night.  What a great guy.  He is a super salesman with a terrific sense of humor.  Kevin took a picture of himself while I was taking a break from the booth.  Yes, Kevin, there is proof that you were working. HAHA!!!  He said that while he was taking the shot, a woman in another vendor’s booth thought he was taking a picture of her and waved to him.  HAHA!!!  SO much fun!!!

Well, that is about it from the Yarmouth Clam Festival.  My next show is Grand Lake Stream, July 24 and 25th.  More friends, vendors, music and merriment.

Every third weekend in July, Yarmouth, Maine turns into a mecca for those who love wholesome fun and food. In Yarmouth, Maine, they have a wonderful festival called the Yarmouth Clam Festival. It draws thousands of people to its celebration. The whole town gets involved. All the local non-profits have food booths selling everything from lemonade to that is right….. FRIED CLAMS!!! My guess is that each non-profit raising a significant portion of their yearly income from this festival.

In addition to food, there are live bands, a midway, two dimensional arts, crafters, bike race, parade and more. It is a weekend full of family fun events.

I am fortunate enough to be part of the festival. I sell my herbal body care products. The people that attend the event are interested in handmade arts and crafts. They like to know that my products are all natural, made from scratch by me. When they purchase my Bug-Off Bug Lotion, they know they are receiving a products that will keep the mosquitoes away without chemicals and harsh ingredients. I take pride in making products that are good for people without hurting the environment. People enjoying meeting me, knowing I am the creator of such fine herbal products. It is a tiny peek behind the scenes of the producer of a product. They can ask question about ingredients I use, how I produce the creams and lotion and get a small glimpse into my life. It is a chance for them to make a connection to something they use on their skin everyday.
The excitement overtakes you immediately as you enter the Main Street. You will notice the lawn chairs lining the street on Thursday for the parade on Friday night at 6 sharp. One of my favorite parts of the parade are the Kiwannis on their tiny motorcycles.

Jen enjoying makiing lotion for the Yarmouth Clam Festival

I am just a small part of the festival, but going to shows and festivals like Yarmouth Clam Festival, makes having my own business fun and have meaning. Being part of something bigger than myself is terrific.

Hope you stop by this weekend, but if not… see you at another show!!!

Meg, Amy, Rebecca, and I spent a lovely rainy afternoon in Bridgton, ME making soap at the Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center. We used goat’s milk from my goats, olive oil, safflower oil, and a few secrets to make our Lemongrass/Orange, Lavender with Calendula and Rose with rose petals. What a wonderful day. These pictures show the basic process.

Soap students measuring ingredients for soap

Sodium Hydroxide mixing with Goat mIlk in a cold water bath

Amy and Meg blending the milk and oils.

Amy and Rebecca blending like champs!!

The ladies graduated from Goat Milk Soap Making 101

Thank you ladies!!!