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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. A Row Of Pretty polliesYou’re probably aware of stall holders having a “patter”, you know, when blokes with fruit and veg yell a couple of different phrases on repeat (“naaaarners phaundabunch”) I’ve found it’s not so different with designer makers selling at events, although thankfully we tend not to bellow them across the venue we’re selling in.
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I've dropped a hint on social media by showing my "headshot" illustration, and today you can read the first in a series of articles I've written and illustrated for Creative Crafting Magazine. They share regular articles on their site, and publish a monthly online magazine too, so you can dip in and out, or sit back with a brew and enjoy the gathered projects, interviews and reviews.
As we’re getting used to the message of shopping small, shopping local, and supporting designer makers, we’re getting pickier in our handmade market habits. And it’s detrimental.
When you tootle off to your choice of handmade event, you’re usually (quite rightly) expecting a range of well branded and presented stalls, chic bunting and a (delightfully hipsterish) eating area. This is where you find quirky screen-printed housewares, artisan breads, contemporary ceramics and silver smiths. It’s the Instagram worthy highlight of your weekend.
Consider then the often overlooked small craft events. Near you is a scout hut, community hall or church hall that probably holds a seasonal or monthly event of local crafters. You may think that it’s got too few stalls to be worth your time, some of them are selling ‘tat’, some of them are frilly things your nan would embarrass you with as a gift. But you’re missing a trick…
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