Hi!

Being the official photographer/instagrammer for Northern Grade last weekend was like a dream! I got to spend two days straight with wonderful small business owners, most of them local. We all spent time together setting-up the day before the sale. And we all tore-down together after it ended. It truly was a wonderful way to get to know the people who work hard to represent our state and our country by making well-crafted American-made goods.

Most of them are family businesses. They all put in long hours and it is obvious that it is a labor of love. Moms and dads and brothers and sisters were all there - either visiting or working. 

It really makes you realize why Northern Grade is so special. And why it attracts such a large crowd. They had record attendance!

I also spent a lot of time at the Stormy Kromer booth. It was great fun to rep the products and meet some of the faces behind the brand! I wore my favorite Stormy Kromer cape and hat the first day of the event! 

Additionally, I had about 13 pieces of art hanging around the building. It took us three hours to hang the art the night before the show. My friend Sunshine and her husband Mark, who is a carpenter, hung most of the art. Thank goodness for their help! I was also grateful for the help of Lee from Leather Works Minnesota (www.leatherworksminnesota.com) We had a lot of laughs and she helped me lay out my art.

Nevertheless, I am thrilled to say that over the course of the weekend I sold around 10 canvases! I also sold a ton of my new holiday cards!  Mac, the owner of Northern Grade, liked my cards so much that he asked me to bring in extras for the second day of the event.

So on Saturday night (the night in-between the two days of Northern Grade) I stayed up late carefully packing up the remainder of my on-hand card inventory. Each card had to be folded, paired with an envelope and placed into a plastic sleeve. Talk about a labor of love. It took a few hours!

Then on Sunday I brought them to Northern Grade with me. And Mac packed them in his box labeled "NYC!" My cards are going into their flagship store in NYC - opening this Tuesday, November 10th!! I am thrilled!!

Mac also asked for 4 large (30" x 30") photos on canvas to decorate & be sold at the store! I can now proudly say that I have art in NYC! Yay! And, after my detailed description of the retailers at Northern Grade, I am sure you can imagine how pleased I am to be included in the list! My art will be displayed alongside these hard-working + Made-in-the-USA companies! Northern Grade is going to be an amazing store! They work hard to represent the best of the Made-in-the-USA brands.

Thanks so much Northern Grade + vendors for everything! I truly appreciate your companionship and your support!!

xo

Jill