Winter Weather & Booth Design at the Mustard Seed Market 2023
Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter

Winter at the Mustard Seed Market 2023 is another one for the books. Having taken place November 17, 18 and 19, 2023. We made some good memories, some comical ones and some trying ones. From rain to shine our booth trucked on despite the elements.

Per usual we worked hard prepping for weeks prior to the market. Pricing, picking, all the things. Booth set up always requires multiple trips, multiple loads, multiple lifting of lots of furniture and things for multiple days. And, this time, extra prayer of pending potential weather.

With finishing the Fall Mustard Seed Market in just September as outdoor vendors for the first time, we decided to take the risk again and host our booth for the Winter Market outside as well. Fall had been the most magical weather and it felt like a logical choice.

November came quick and with hopeful hearts, we once again set out to deck the halls of of our tented booth and airstream. With only our second year under our belts, learning the ropes of the vendor life is proving to be an ongoing process. Each time we are picking up some new tips for ourselves on what to do better next time. It hadn’t even crossed our mind about the fact that winter time brings back the good ole’ time change. So while last winter we were warm and setting up in the barn, this winter we braved the great outdoors. With winter on the brink, the challenges were set against us. Most of the initial setup and drop off of the “bigs” were conducted in the dark and chill of the night creeping in much too soon.

Basic layouts were arranged on night one with my helpful hubby. Leaving me for a full couple of days to get all the smalls setup in the booth. Not a small task. Thankfully I had two of my cuties to be my right hand ladies. I don’t know what I would have done without their small but mighty little help.

After a lot of long hours, the booth was shiny and pretty. As purty as she was we had to go right to covering her up the best we could. Sort of like tucking her in for the night. While, we had great weather for setup, Friday of the market was calling for rain. An outdoor vendors worst nightmare.

We purchased the plastic sheeting and wrapped everything we could to try to protect our beauties. Even setting the tents up with a tilt so that water would run right off. We thought we covered all our bases. Next we prayed.

Sleep well little winter booth we said. Stay strong we hoped.

But sometimes things don’t go as planned.

When we arrived Friday we found plastic had blown off quite a few of our “tucked in” situations. We had several things damaged already from the drizzle of the night. As the rain came, and the wind blew and the mist kept on coming, all the Friday long. The risk just kept on getting bigger.

It was damp and cold. But my little heart remained hopeful that it was allllll gonna be ok. Like a little girl who worked so hard to surprise her parents with a shiny gift, I tried to keep the smile going for you, the community. It’s all fine, everything is fine I told myself….meanwhile my booth was slowing getting a little less glistening with each hit of rain. I just wanted it to be perfect for you. But, my wallpaper was beginning to warp. It’s all gonna be fine, right!?

In all honesty, when almost everything you do is a creative decision, it becomes a form of artwork, a statement. I could see all my little statements of my hard, hard work getting just a little wrinkly and damp. I think truly, just the over-exhaustion was setting in from all of my “trying.” I kind of make my own self tired with my own demands and expectations. Good news is, I didn’t stay here for too long?

A few of you braved it on Friday. You go-getters! Some of you sneaking in just as the rain would stop. We wanted everyone to get to experience the booth in its full glory. So we went ahead and set her up fully. Removed all the plastic. Decided to brave it. Take the risk. And boy would we grow to regret that.

By Friday night we were in a straight downpour. Strong winds and a keen praying that the tents would hold as a monsoon poured inside the booth in high style. Brave customers who came through got to see the featured waterfall that we did not predict along where the two tents met up. See some actual footage here from my Instagram. It’s ok to laugh now.

My sweet husband giving me hopeful eyes. “It’s all gonna be ok,” he reminded me. Just breathe.

The truth is, I was feeling plain emotional from it. I had given it all I had, and the rain had just come and s-p-a-t on it. And the funny thing about it all is that I had told Tom, I’m praying it doesn’t rain, but if God decides to send rain anyway, I still trust Him.

Had to swallow my words on that one. When the rain came, I felt rather human. Instead of being “ok,” I felt soooooo disappointed. As if I had no energy left to give. Sounds dramatic now, but the perfectionist in me drives me crazy. In the moment it felt all for nought. Washed away by the rain. Temporary energy zapper. Let’s just be real, we’ve all had these moments.

After letting myself feel the frustration of it, I remembered my words. “Well, I will trust God no matter what He chooses.” Forgive. Me. Lord. Sigh, you have a plan. Rain or shine. I trust you. I’m sorry for my suckyness!

Often there is a comicalness to the way God works I think. I’m certain He does know my favorite thing is laughter…sometimes it just takes me a minute to get the joke. I can laugh about it now Lord, but thank you for the sunshine after the rain God, you knew we would need that.

Saturday and Sunday thankfully were night and day different from Friday. Sunshine and good weather with only a minor chill turned the whole thing around. It was a fresh breath of air that we would take anyday. We spent a good while drying things soaked by the rain and let the sunshine dry up the rest. It was a new dawn, a new day to lavish in. Grace again. You gotta take those wins with the losses and let it mold you.

Rain kissed and dew kissed the booth being to sparkle again. Many, many, kind comments from great customers cheered our hearts. Some even coming to our booth with tears in their eyes, sharing how much they loved our booth and how it inspired them. God truly knew what we needed after the first night of the market. Your words meant the world to us. Goals achieved.

For the design, I had felt led that this winter’s booth was to remind us that “Hope has been born.” We pray that you felt that hope in your heart as you perused our booth and celebrated the joy of the season. Hope is yet— such a beautiful thing.

I tried to keep the booth focused on the beauty of Christmas in a simple, natural way on the outside of the airstream. Simple blues, creams and oranges. Brass, silver and dainty finds scattered throughout with a Christmas tree adorned in only vintage looking tree candles to create a cozy feel. The simplicity of the greenery and glow of the candles was all she needed. Many Freckled & Free custom birdcage nativities and artwork sprinkled throughout to create the overall feels of the season. A large focal wall of blue, green and white floral wall paper sheets, centered with the “Hope Born” graphic to ground the outdoor booth design. Wintery florals and things that shimmer and shine. I wanted Jesus to be the story even amongst antiques and vintage goods. Hope can be found here. Feliz Navidad.

Tom worked hard distressing two large pieces of fine furniture for the winter market. Our first try of the “oven cleaner technique” worked beautifully. The custom hutch and dining buffet turned out gorgeous, as you can see below. The vintage brown top on the dining buffet we scored on marketplace. It was an old fireplace mirrored mantle that we mounted to the dining buffet to make a one-of-a-kind piece. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Per usual, I had great fun styling all the pieces. There is something fun about making a pretend world of pretty things. So dreamy and feminine. Rose gold and copper collectibles, floral dining dishes and cream manger scenes dusted with orange and cream bottle brush trees create the perfect elegant Christmas presentation.

I was so pumped to score these darling festive buck plates and other various deer platters to mingle in.

Close up on the custom Freckled & Free graphics I created for the winter booth.

^” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

We had picked at several different locations scrounging up every last nod to vintage Christmas we could find. Good news is we sold almost all the vintage glass sets we had scored. Someone definitely got their jingle on with a fantastic party.

Close up #2 and version two, retro custom Freckled & Free graphic I created for our winter booth.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying^. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Luke 2:6-20

As you made your way into the Airstream, things got even more festive. I created a very fun and jolly set up with all the Christmas feels. Your typical Christmas colors were living it up inside the lively airstream.

From vintage knitted stockings to an array of Christmas sweaters, something FUN could be found in here. I went with a retro style font choice for the “Hope Born” custom Freckled & Free graphic hung inside the airstream display.

A collected look for the collecter. For the one who loves an eclectic taste. Cross-stitch Christmas towns, vintage Christmas tins, mixed with holly dishes and votives.

An array of Freckled & Free 11×17 custom graphic prints could be chosen inside. While you could find many already framed artwork of mine throughout the booth, I created some poster prints so you could still nab the artwork, but find a frame you preferred. An easy way to have good seasonal artwork on hand for your holiday decorating.

A showcase of photos for the thousands of details my words can’t express.

We sold ugly Christmas sweaters for the first time and they went off with a big hit, we sold all the mini lit up Christmas trees we had picked, the large vintage cart, the burnt orange rocker, many, many smalls, Freckled & Free custom jarred winter scenes and frames, Hosanna Revival 2024 Planners, bibles and notebooks and so much more. We talked to sooo many of you and heard some of your amazing stories. At the end of the day it was a joy. All the hard work to accomplish it was worth it. Thank you for supporting us and finding beauty in what we find beauty in. We pray your 2024 is as swell as you are. And we’ll give a hats off to more pickin’ and grinning’ in 2024.

And folks, that’s a wrap on 2023 Mustard Seed Markets. We hope you enjoyed seeing us for all seasons. Make sure to mark your calendars and plan to join all three markets again for 2024. Happening this Spring, (May 17, 18, 19), Fall, (September 20, 21, 22) and Winter, (November 22, 23, 24). For more information go to www.rusticgrains.com, our great creator and host of the market.

Oh, and one more thing, that’s not the only exciting news coming your way for 2024. Our OPENING DATE for Freckled & Free is coming soon. Antique store is in the works. Follow along on the blog or on Facebook and Instagram as an opening date will be annouced soon.

Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free