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You get to see a lot of things from behind a trader’s table at makers’ markets and craft fairs, and meet quite the range of people! I've been selling at a variety of events since I was a teenager, so have decided to share some of my experiences. Some of these tales are cautionary, some simply amusing, but all of them, honestly are true! This particular post was first published in creative-crafting.com online magazine, and as I have been pining for brownies, chunky scotch eggs, and posh coffee, consumed while chatting to folks, I'm sharing to try and relive that feeling. Support Small Businesses – By Eating EverythingFew things make me look forward to, and also dread, a makers market like seeing on the pre-event booking form or promotion “food stalls”. Hands up if you’ve also got poor impulse control… In the run up, I steel myself. I pack sandwiches, crisps and a cheeky satsuma. I’m realistic though, I know I’ll cave, so I agree with myself that I’ll have a coffee there, and pick up a fresh brownie or hand raised pie to be my craft fair treat. Come the morning of the event, and I’m set up and sipping delightful barista coffee inevitably served from a converted VW camper van or Citreon 2CV. 
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You get to see a lot of things from behind a trader’s table at makers’ markets and craft fairs, and meet quite the range of people! I've been selling at a variety of events since I was a teenager, so have decided to share some of my experiences. Some of these tales are cautionary, some simply amusing, but all of them, honestly are true! This particular post was first published in creative-crafting.com online magazine. Planning, Preparation, and Panic.Going to your first event as a stallholder is usually a little nerve wracking. But imagine how much more of an emotional roller coaster it is to arrive, and realise you probably needed to bring more than just stock, a price list and a float! There’s a lot of advice out there for first time stallholders, from Pinterest boards packed with stall layout ideas, to lists handily summarising what you’ll want to take on the day. It can be a bit bewildering… You need to decide to label individually, or have a price list? Display on rustic wooden shelves, or crisp acrylic displays?  You get to see a lot of things from behind a trader’s table at makers’ markets and craft fairs, and meet quite the range of people! I've been selling at a variety of events since I was a teenager, so have decided to share some of my experiences. Some of these tales are cautionary, some simply amusing, but all of them, honestly are true! This particular post was first published in creative-crafting.com online magazine. A Crying ShameThe flyers had been handed out, the posters up, social media had been plastered with updates and all of the what’s on guides were informed… Yet it was one of those craft fairs where no one comes. It’s always a strain working at an event like this, but here I saw the pinnacle of poor form when a stallholder decided that enough was enough. We’d reached the point a couple of hours in where the event organiser had been round to let us know that she now had helpers on the nearby streets, trying to entice people with flyers. And then, a raised voice, and every head swivelling. To one end of the room the event organiser was being addressed by a stallholder, a chap who had packed up and was going to leave hours early, but not before having his say.  |
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February 2024
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