Primarily, I am an arts and crafts vendor operating under the business name of Mountain Valley Nursery. The nursery aspect developed after working for my parents, who own and operate a daylily and hosta nursery. After a few years, I decided it was time to realize my dream and branch out on my own. I originally decided to do markets as a way to get my nursery's name out to the public. My first market season was in 2012, but I began preparing in 2011. This is a full-time profession for me. It's fun, quirky, interesting and, I think, very unique.

I offer photo note cards and matted artwork depicting the Shenandoah Valley. I also sell hand-painted stones with cute bug and animal designs. I included these items on a whim and, to my surprise, they did so well that they've become featured products. However, during plant season, I offer designer hybrid hostas and daylilies that you won't find in most nurseries. Although the selling season for my plants is relatively short, there's a lot of work that goes into the growing of and tending to these plants well before they're ready for market.

Getting ready for a day at the market – and this season I'm vending at FOUR markets, well, five but I alternate two – requires that I am well-stocked on cards and prints, specifically the more popular sellers. Painted rocks are big sellers, so I have to plan days in advance for the painting process. I had no idea the art side of my business would do so well! Card making and art matting are activities that I can do the day before a market, although, since I'm working four markets each week, this is a fairly regular part of my schedule.

Plants, on the other hand, are another story. I pot hostas on Saturday or Sunday afternoons for the upcoming week's markets. Daylilies, however, have to be dug up the morning of a market, and, boy, is it a hassle to get them ready. First, I dig up a large clump of daylilies without knocking off any buds or damaging the blooms. (Not surprisingly, the blooms are the day's selling feature and are my money maker.) Then I put each clump in a bag and, ever so carefully, place it in my truck. I repeat this process eight to 11 times. No problem!

During my average week in market season, I usually wake up by 5 a.m. If it isn't a market day, the early morning hours are reserved for arts and crafts projects. If it is a market day, I spend a couple of hours making sure all products are present and accounted for, dig up daylilies (it they're in season), load my car, and head to that day's market, set up my booth, work my booth for four to six hours, break down my booth, drive home, and unload my car.

I also work as a gardener/landscaper as a side business. And, when I'm not working on a client's garden, you'll find me working on my own property. Although I only have 6/10 of an acre, I have shoved a LOT of plants into this little area, and there's a lot to tend to. As long as I'm outside, I am happy, so I am outside most of the time. If I have energy to spare at the end of the day, you'll probably find me at the kitchen table working on arts and crafts projects.

Some things you may not know about me: I attended Bridgewater College and received a B.A. in Art with a Concentration in Sculpture . . . surprisingly not in rock painting. While at Bridgewater, I played basketball and tennis. I volunteer at my church to help with programs for those in need in my community. I have also taught Sunday School for junior high school youth for the past 12 years and volunteer at the Salvation Army serving meals to homeless people. I have worked as a lifeguard, camp counselor, day care worker, tennis pro, substitute teacher, basketball coach and tennis coach.

My least favorite part of being a market vendor is being outside for hours on end during cold weather! The hardest part about being a vendor is that, during the height of the season, the daily grind is relentless. There is no time to rest or catch a breath. That's not a complaint; just a fact. It can be an exhausting adventure. My favorite part about working the farmers' markets is the friendships I've made with some truly incredible people.

I have a couple of goals for my business. First, to continue to grow my business, both in the arts and the nursery, and this includes expanding my marketing efforts. I also want to grow as an artist and a gardener through experience and education. Fortunately, working farmers' markets and as a gardener and landscaper provides both experience AND education. I learn something new every season.

~ Christie Osborne, Mountain Valley Nursery