12 November 2010

my little tricks for unknown markets

Greetings all,
So tonight i have a market, for SIDS&kids.  I signed up immediately as i knew regardless of how the market goes, my stall fee is going to a good cause.  I've just re-read the brief & realise it's also the Fire Fighter Calendar launch, so NOTHING to lose, i'm 4 stalls down from the ACT Fire Fighter table, yippee?? 
With little idea of the venue, demographic or what else to expect, i have some market tricks to share with you when attending an unknown market . . . 
 Take a themed product - try to fit a product which translates into the event/ season/ festivity i.e. Christmas!!  I made 20 of these headbands sitting along the athletics track last night at training.  I price my themed products less than the regular ones, so they sell quickly & impulsively.  I'll also be wearing one in my hair, yes, people ask where you wear headbands, really, they do!! 
 Take something to do - be subtle & keep it simple, don't read a book, but something market-stall-related like fiddle with a display, in my case, moving the brooches from this broken down old battered suitcase, into a new glass/ wooden divider box i picked up for $9 from The Reject Shop.  I can do it quickly or   v e r y   s l o w l y.  Nothing worse than looking pensive, anxious or bored at your stall, busy yourself!!
Take something new.  Each market i try to have a new product or atleast new range of fabrics on my products.  Tonight it's these super cute knitting kits from Art Viva, which are an addition to their Tasmanian Oak knitting needles.  You'll often find regular customers asking "what's new today" & they'll buy it!!  It's a lovely relationship, they love being the first to have something new.
I hope these tips help you!!  I'm also taking some hand stitching, just in case it's quiet.  I figure it's something small & simple you can do standing up, customers oohh & aahh saying "wow, aren't you clever" as so many can't sew on a button.  Plus it puts a handmade stamp on your work, makes the time fly & it's something you can do manually - when you're at home, you may as well be using your electric or bulky equipment!!
Have lovely weekends & wishing you marketeers all the best!!  Love Posie

16 comments:

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

Gold Gold Gold as always.... i love it when an experienced market goer shares wisdom and advice! What a great sounding market too - I wonder if that firefighter calender will be what i think it will! buffed up firefighters wearing not much (i hope)...have fun -)

Tania said...

I am SO WITH YOU on taking something to do. In my case it's fiddling with market stall inbetween weaving in one of those damnation granny blanket ends (which I can do with my eyes closed).

Jennie said...

Great post Jennie!
Thank you!xx

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Have Fun Jennie...Now I'll have to check out the headbands next time I'm in Shop...Dzintra♥x

Heidi said...

Before I opened my store I did the local craft fair once and I found people to be very nice but some very rude too! Love your products, Miss!

Unknown said...

Have fun at the market Jennie! Those headbands look so pretty:)

Great market tips. Thank you for sharing! X

NessaKnits said...

Don't you enjoy those Fire Fighters ... lol

moose and bird said...

Thanks for the great tips Posie. I never quite know what to do when I'm at a market.....but now I have some ideas. x

Brenda said...

Have a great time at the market tonight....your headbands are the cutest!

Thanks also for the market stall tips, I think I'll try and use some of them tomorrow!

Have a lovely weekend with your gorgeous family :)

Beck said...

Some great ideas here Jennie! It can be a long day so you need to have a plan and something to do. I like to chat to people as they come by, just saying hi and asking if they are enjoying the market can make all the difference. Have a great weekend x

Wendy said...

Thanks, Jennie...trying to get up my nerve to try a market this year...all of your advice will be duly noted!

Tammy said...

Hope it goes well Posie! We are settling in for some painting, of the laborious house interior type not the fun creative outlet type ;) Have fun at the market your plan sound great and aren't you lovely sharing tips. :) Oh BTW I didn't get Oprah tickets

CraftyMummy said...

Great tips, Posie!

And I'm all for the firefighters in the next post ;)

Kelly Casanova said...

Thanks for the tips, hope your market goes well.

Corrie said...

ohhhh those kits look cute! not as cute as the firefighters though:)

Naturally Carol said...

These are great tips, love the one about keeping busy and having new items to go, in fact they were all good and practical as well. Thank you.