As long as I am playing catch-up with the blog this week (see my post from a few days ago about a couple of Christie’s auctions that occurred in May) why not offer up two posts in one week? The heat is crazy now in NYC, and I am here to help distract and entertain. What better way than my very first photo blog?

Six weeks ago I had an awesome time as a vendor at the Brooklyn Pride Festival. This was the festival’s first year at their new location on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, and my first year being a part of it!

Earlier in the week I gave a sneak peek on Instagram of some fun free items I would have at my booth:

All week there was the threat of rain, but when I checked the forecast the night before it looked like the rain would end just in time for the festival. Hooray!

I bought a little notebook earlier in the week to write notes on people I met and spoke with during the day. I opened it on the morning of the festival to find the inside cover had this apropos quote!

Setting up the booth was easier than expected thanks to my family of helpers. I couldn’t have done it without them! This also meant we had a bit of time before the festival started to take silly photos. Can you see the resemblance?

One of my favorite ideas that worked so well in the booth were these beautiful pink hydrangeas. There was one in each corner to distract from the tent boots (so the tent doesn’t fly away with a gust of wind). They were so cheerful!

My dad, who is an amazing artist and creates incredible artwork with chalk, did diamond ring chalk designs on the concrete around the booth. Here is just one of the sparkly rings!

Remember that photo of the rings on my finger? They are party favor engagement rings, which I paired with fake silver and gold bands attached to my business cards. Everyone got one! The little kids who came to my booth and were table height adored them. Who doesn’t love a fun ring to play with during a street fair?

The crowds were there early and lasted throughout the day:

Since I wasn’t selling a product but rather a service I had a big sign in the booth that said “Ask the Gemologist!” so people knew they could come and talk to me. I spoke to so many great people who had wonderful questions about diamonds, gemstones, and rings. It was fun to help and inform!

Since I was in the booth all day I didn’t get a chance to walk to fair. That didn’t mean I couldn’t send a friend to score me a pair of awesome sunglasses that National Grid was giving out at their booth a couple of blocks away. So cool! Cue the requisite smoochy face:

All in all it was a fantastic day. Perhaps you will see me at next years festival!

Did you attend the Brooklyn Pride Festival? Did you find anything great there? Or perhaps there was a Pride Festival in your hometown? This was the first street fair where I didn’t get to consume fair food, like grilled corn or a pickle on a stick. I’ll have to make up for it at the next one!