Rinse at Epcot’s F&W Festival – Part III

So we’re there, unloaded and able to drive the BWT.  Let the magic begin.

As we were unpacking and setting up there was bustling everywhere with rigging going up, merchandise being put out, plants potted every which way.  I didn’t want to take any liberties with our space or layout since we were incorporated in such a way as to flow with the festival merchandise.We got down to doing our usual thing, after all, this is just another show – right?


Technically yes, but actually no.  As we were getting the product out and we were placing and fluffing the real magic happened.  One of the merchandisers for the festival offered suggestions, a hand & props/fixtures!  She also had the power to move tables which ended up showcasing our products beautifully (as well as front & center.)
Before Picture (to the left)



And after…

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While we stepped away for a bite to eat the elves were busy at our space.  It’s amazing what the coolest burlap (could I expect anything but from WDW), a few fantastic props/fixtures (which includes an amazing birdbath that I’m now trying to duplicate) and a quick rearranging of the tables in the hands of a fantastic visual merchandiser can do.  We came back to more than I ever could have expected.

The rest of our job that day was easy - fill in the blanks with product.  As we were doing that the excitement started to buzz.  Cast members were intrigued, the smell was drawing them over and I was getting into my groove.

to be cont…

Rinse at Epcot’s F&W Festival – Part II

We headed over to the Wonders building (formerly the home of Body Wars) after we finished unloading HF’s 2nd load.  Everyone else rolled in at a reasonable 8:00 am hour so we were able to get some direction as to where in the world my space was going to be.

We got a golden location conveniently blended in with the festival merchandise.  As guests walked in the door.. BAM, you saw Rinse.  I don’t think I could have planned it any better.

We commandeered a cart and the two of us unloaded the big white truck (BWT) and started situating the tables (of which HF had arranged a sweet selection for my merchandising pleasure.)  In no time we were ready to head back for HF’s load #3.

Easy enough right?  That’s what I was thinking.  We got everything moved in and they hadn’t even asked me to leave yet.  This is good.  But then it happened.  Between the time we parked at the top of a fairly steep hill a collection of golf carts, a semi truck and a van decided to play Tetris with BWT.  HF “measured” the space left and was confident that I could maneuver the BWT through the space to freedom.  After what felt like 10 minutes of Austin Powers in the tunnel I successfully got the BWT turned 90 degrees from where we started and stuck between a steep hill behind me, a semi truck in front of me & a WDW van to the right – the left side was wide open.

HF hunted down the semi driver and got him to graciously give us about 3 more feet to play with.  That just happened to be just enough space for me to get the BWT stuck even worse.  At this point the passenger door of the BWT was ON the BUMPER of the white WDW van.  How this happened I will never know but now I understand why I had to up our auto insurance before they would provide me with a parking pass (did someone warn them about me?)

Just as HF was going to get a forklift to move the van (lord only knows just how it was going to happen, but HF is certainly the person to be able to get it done) my knight in shining armor walked out the door… his name was Andy.  I had no idea who he was or what he did but he offered to help direct me out of my predicament I felt a little better.  Andy, being a dad as I found out later, must have seen the terror in my eyes because he then quickly offered to hop in and get the BWT unstuck.  Which was a feat that took him about 10 minutes to do.

I saw my Disney vendor career pass before my very eyes before it even started.  But because of Andy I got to stick around for another day (46 actually.)  So Andy, if you ever read this posting… Thank You!

to be cont…

Oh and the flashing lights of AREA 51 weren’t there for intimidation at all.  They were the lights from Test Track.  Now don’t I feel silly!

I’m back…

As I’m recapping my experiences in Orlando I thought I should go “Live” for a moment.

I did my first regular show today, an office building Gift Show.  Wow, what a difference.  3+ hours, I’m in, I’m out.  It seems now that any show is going to be a cake walk.

This coming weekend (Saturday, November 14) we’ll be at the Dunwoody Untied Methodist Holiday Festival from 9:00 – 4:00.  This is a great little show that has a fantastic bake sale & casserole sale. Yum!

We are then off to Nashville for our 2nd appearance at Nashville Junior League’s Tis the Season shopping extravaganza November 19 – November 21.  I call it an extravaganza because last year we were in what could have been the worst booth in the place, but because of the fantastic Junior League Members and their guests we sold out of quite a few things before 11:00 on Saturday.  I’m also planning on going on a shopping extravaganza on my own and I can’t wait to see some of my girls who are going to be there with me:  Flutterbugs, Freshie & Zero & Hot Squeeze.  I am also thrilled that Faith Wallace is going to make another appearance.  I picked up a few of her picture frames last year and can’t wait to add a couple of more to my collection.

Rinse at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival in Epcot 2009

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This certainly isn’t the first time you’ve heard it, and it definitely won’t be the last… Best Made Plans.  While my true intentions were to journal my way through the awesomeness that was the Food & Wine festival, I just couldn’t.

So instead of play-by-play action, here is the Sports Center version – Part I

I am such a very lucky person to have a fabulous artist, Heather A. French (HF), in my life.  She was instrumental during this whole wild ride and allowed me to hunker down at her house for the duration of the festival.  We arrived at her house the evening of Tuesday, September 22.  I was scheduled for set-up on both Wednesday & Thursday opening on Friday.  HF’s set-up was Wednesday with a soft opening on Thursday.  As any good house guest (and excited newbie) would I volunteered for a wild morning starting at 5:00 AM to help HF load into her space on the promenade.  With only 4 and a bit hours of sleep I rolled out of bed ready to help and take it all in.

We drove separate and I was given the instructions “pay attention to where we’re going because it can be confusing and you’ll need to be able to get there on your own.”  Not a lot of sleep, driving the big white pick-up truck in the dark, trying to follow someone who knows where they’re going, trying to remember where I’ve been… was not the best multi-tasking project for me to take on at the time.  Never the less I made it there.  As we crested the hill there it was… AREA 51.

Ok, so it wasn’t AREA 51, but you could have fooled me.  We approached a guard shed.  A bunch of red and yellow lights were spinning everywhere.  Two sets of gates and big yellow and black striped barricades blocked the entrance.  Following HF I was praying that she hadn’t led me a stray.  That all of my credentials were set-up and that they would allow me to pass through which they did.

As we headed to HF’s space, which was located between Japan & Morocco, she gave me the tour via cell phone.  We drove around the backside of the world showcase (you’re not missing much, it’s actually pretty drab.)  The Earth was lit and spinning, a boat was being repainted and FYI, you can’t make a complete circle in a car (Epcot’s big ball is in the way.)

The highlight of my 5:00 am wake-up call was that I got to drive on the promenade.  Yes it’s true.  It felt so weird.  I was paranoid that I was certainly going to run over something and get thrown out of the festival before I even had a chance to unload the big white truck.  After quickly unloading HF’s car and doing a U-Turn in Japan (there wasn’t a sign saying I couldn’t) I skirted off the forbidden road without doing any damage, thank goodness.

We tried to unload the big white truck, but there was no telling where in the world my space was going to be and no right minded person was there at the crack of dawn to tell us so back to HF’s we went to reload.

to be cont…

We're here... in Epcot

Hello everyone!

Wow, what a crazy and wild ride this has been!  I just wanted to check in to let you know that everything is going magically... would you expect anything less from Epcot!?!?

The days are a bit long (9 am - 9 pm) every single day, so needless to say, I'm a bit tired.

I'm really taking this first week to settle into my spaces (one on stage & one off stage), getting a work flow down & making sure I have enough inventory.  After that, I'll be able to chronicle my journey better.  Images are coming I promise.

But for now. good night.

Back to the Workshop

Just wanted to say hello, and that we made it back from Chicago safely.

We had an amazing time at the Chicago Renegade Craft Show.  A full report & pictures are coming soon.

Now off to the workshop to:

1. create some sparkly goodness which we will be launching at Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival later this month.
2. ship our website orders
3. ship a few wholesale orders
4. unpack from this weekend's festivities
   
5. make product that we're out of or nearly out of
   
6. try to do it all over again by applying for the Chicago Holiday Renegade Craft Show
   

Rinse - a Featured Vendor @ Epcot's Food & Wine Festival

Yes, your heard me right!  Rinse Bath & Body is going to be a featured vendor at the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

You may ask yourself:
"Soap.  Food.  Wine.  I don't get it?!?"

Well here's your answer:
With the exception of a synthetic fragrance (which we use in only a handful of our products) you eat just about EVERYTHING that goes into them everyday.  Ironically enough, most of the ingredients in our products are found in very fine chocolates (yum!)

We feel that you shouldn't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat.

We also let food inspire us all the time.  From the packaging to the names (truffles, candy...) to the look and even some of the scents (Cioccolato, Nectar...)  We are foodies and we aren't afraid to share it with the world!

I love food. Ok, so that doesn't have anything to do with it, but it sure will be convenient for my tummy!

We are so excited to be a part of such an anticipated event (and are launching a handful of exclusive magical products at the event.)  The line-up of top chefs & winerys is unreal.  The entertainment is going to be top-notch.  And Rinse, will be in the thick of it!

Our little space in the world of Epcot will be in the Festival's Welcome Center.  Our products will be available from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM every day of the week from September 25 - November 8. 

And yes, I'll be there (in Orlando and probably at our space) the entire time.  Stay tuned here because I hope to blog my journey from pre F&W through the whole thing.