Today I visited the Ventura Flea Market. I've been meaning to check it out for years because I heard it was huge and drew a big crowd. It's right down by the beach at the far north end of Ventura, at the County Fair Grounds and is run by the same organization that is in charge of the Rose Bowl Swap Meet. If you've ever visited that one, you are certain to be a true flea market patron. Even I was overwhelmed with the enormity of the Rose Bowl experience when I visited with a friend. And, the Ventura Flea Market was rather large... yet I'm still not sure how good of a venue it will be for my handmade items. The good news is that I didn't see any other candles being sold there. I did see a soap vendor... not sure if the items were homemade, but they were much less expensive than mine. The other good news is that the rest of the show was littered with antiques, furniture, jewelry, coins... and other interesting flea market finds that were drawing a decent crowd. It reminded me of another one of my favorite flea markets, the Melrose Trading Post. It's a great spot to visit on Sundays in L.A. I tried selling there once, but it was a nice warm sunny day... great for getting people out, but not really the type of day that makes people want to rush home and light a bunch of candles. I didn't sell much that day... and even though the spaces don't cost much... and I split it with a friend... I'm pretty sure I had a negative profit after I factored in the money I'd spent on gas to get there. I remember feeling oh so disappointed because I really wanted to sell there so I'd have an excuse to shop there more frequently!!! Anyhow, I'm hoping that if I pick a strategic date with candle purchase inducing weather, that things will work out well. Today might actually have been good since it just rained yesterday and people may have been at home wishing they had candles, but not wanting to leave the house to go buy them... today was nice, though still slightly chilly... and the rainy season isn't completely over yet. It would have been perfect. Too bad the Ventura Flea Market is not weekly -- not that I'm ready to go this weekend... I need a tent to shade the candles -- but maybe I can do it around "June Gloom" time. I love to burn candles when it's chilly and foggy out... I actually love that weather. And so it is settled. I will try selling my goods some time this year at the Ventura Flea Market. Hope to see you there!!!
I have been sick nearly all month, but I managed to track down the recipe I spoke of in my last post while recovering from bronchitis. It's a new favorite of the Hoyt family. We like to toss it with green & red leaf lettuce, artichoke hearts, asparagus, hearts of palm & feta cheese.
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Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing
· Servings: ~2 cups
· Preparation Time: 5-10 mins
· 1/2 cup Water
· 1/2 cup rice vinegar
· 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
· 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
· 2 Tbsp honey
· 2-4 cloves of garlic
· ½ tsp dried italian seasoning
· ¼ tsp dried tarragon
· ½ tsp salt
· ¼ tsp black pepper
· Servings: ~2 cups
· Preparation Time: 5-10 mins
· 1/2 cup Water
· 1/2 cup rice vinegar
· 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
· 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
· 2 Tbsp honey
· 2-4 cloves of garlic
· ½ tsp dried italian seasoning
· ¼ tsp dried tarragon
· ½ tsp salt
· ¼ tsp black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Throw all ingredients in the blender. Blend until it is as smooth as you like for a dressing. This usually keeps for up to two weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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