Market Fun

It turned out to be a good day at the House Artisan's Market yesterday. Sussex Neighbourhood House was full, with a steady stream of visitors and an expanding range of participating artists. The Creative Kids group had prepared a lively trail of footprints to lead from one room to another.

Some of the kids were there to participate in the fun of the day. The market is really a community venture--I think that's the best thing. 

Behind the Scenes

The House Artisan's Market is on again tomorrow. As usual there are background tasks to be completed in the last few days. I made so many crochet roses a few months ago that I didn't keep up with sewing on all the brooch backs.


Yesterday I spent a couple of hours in the studio catching up. It was a hot day, so the airconditioner was particularly welcome. I have a bit more to do today. If all goes well I may even have time for some card-making.

Making

Remember this?

Now it's this:

A long, narrow open-textured scarf using a variety of my novelty yarns. There are enough purples to make at least one more and then I have a great range of other colours to play with. I'm hoping to make enough to sell some at the next House Market. I'm wondering about offering kits for sale. The only trouble is that measuring and packaging the yarns takes so much time and trouble. So, I'll see how it goes. For now it's knitting.

Today's Market

Last month's market was about exploration. Today was about persistence and building relationship. The forecast was for cloudy weather with scattered showers--maximum 15. Here's how my stall looked for the best part of the first hour: I put on and took off the plastic cover several times. Note to self: I must get a more substantial plastic sheet. It did get better, but we spent a lot of time looking at the sky and wondering whether it was time to retreat. The market isn't really big enough to be found if we shelter in the church, though it's nice to have the option.

There were four stalls today. Isha, who coordinates the market couldn't make it and there was a new stall-holder, plus the three of us who were new last month. Lots of friendly chatter and more interest from passers-by than last time. We also had an enquiry from a potential stall-holder. As for me, the joy of showing a child how the spinning wheel works and listening to a woman from Argentina tell me about her mother's spinning goes a long way. Even so, I'm going to have to make some smaller, more "marketable" items before next month.

Word Challenge

What's a collective noun for "blogs"? I seem to have a proliferation of them!

I've just set up blogs for

• Northcote Makers' Market--that's the name we agreed on at the Artisans' Market last weekend

and

• Quilters at Sussex--since the Patchwork by Machine course added to the existing Quilters' Circle and the planned Hand Dyeing workshop are all causing a bit of a splash at the Neighbourhood House

There aren't any posts in either of these yet, and I surely won't be the only contributor, but I do feel the need for a collective noun. Suggestions please . . .

My View of the Day

Yesterday was my introductory visit to the Artisan's Market in Northcote, High St. I sat in the forecourt of the Uniting Church and spent most of the day spinning. I snapped this pic of the buildings opposite:

At street level there are shop windows, people, traffic . . .

Sitting there for the day spinning was a great way to get to know the market and its potential. It's really just at a very basic beginning point: only four stalls there yesterday and only passing visitors. I'm told there are another half-dozen casual stall holders who have been there at other times. There's a great little cafe on the church grounds and lots of room to expand. Of course that's going to take time and effort, so part of the conversation yesterday among the stall holders was about next steps.

As an introductory visit, I'd call it a success. I sold nothing, but had a few enquiries. That's about what I expected. I got a good bit of spinning done and have some ideas to go on with.

I'll Be There

I've had this poster on my noticeboard since last year:

It sounds like a great opportunity for me:

• It's a small artisan's market.
• It's in the same street as CCCK, the wool shop where I have my handspun and accessories on sale.
• It's only once a month and it just happens to be the Saturday when there are no classes at the Guild.
• The woman organising it sounds friendly and experienced.

Every month I've looked at the poster and tried to be realistic about whether I can manage it. This month I think it's going to happen.

So tomorrow, I'll be there. One table, one box of goods and one spinning wheel should do it for packing. My aim is to just introduce myself and get the feel for it. That way I can't lose.