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Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one

100 replies

KatyMac · 27/09/2020 22:44

I had an exhausting, wet cold and miserable day; I couldnt get the gazebo up it was unsafe even with weights, my legs ended up achy and sore

So maybe I need a new stronger gazebo - but it needs to be put up by one person, any suggestions?

I will get camping tiles things to go under my camping mat which will increase the insulation for my feet/hips

I am working on streamlining what I need to take, but mannequins take up so much space!

I bought a big fab car which really really helps

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BlueMoon44 · 28/09/2020 11:12

I'm very impressed that you are tackling craft fairs alone and in this weather!

Would this help? www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Shelter-Festivals-Construction-Protection/dp/B00R1FJJXQ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21.

I've seen these on camp sites and also being used as information tents etc at various events, and they seem quite robust. One of the questions on Amazon says it can be erected by one person.

Bupkis · 28/09/2020 11:18

I have no advice
I once did a craft fair and shorted the electrics for the whole fair with my fairy lights. Oh and I only sold one thing for £4.99.
I only tell you this to make you feel better.

KatyMac · 28/09/2020 21:19

thank you @Bupkis, I sold nothing!! WinkHmmConfused

@BlueMoon44 I think I need a more traditional shape for my stock rwally but thank you

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KatyMac · 30/09/2020 22:27

ok i have camping tiles and I'm looking at a better gazebo

I need to organise a rack for hanging clothes in the car

And i need thermals!!

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Elouera · 30/09/2020 22:34

I assume you've also looked at indoors markets that might be an option? Even if the drive was farther, it might be a better investment that an outdoors one with winter coming.

KatyMac · 01/10/2020 00:31

I do indoors ones when I can but my display is a bit big for a 6ft table and then i end up all squeezed up and it looks like a jumble sale

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KatyMac · 01/10/2020 00:32

& I wonder if people are keener to come to outdoor markets cos of covid

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KatyMac · 02/10/2020 11:34

I have another one tomorrow!

Wish me luck (I am busy ironing clothes to dump on the car and get creasedHmmConfused)

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KatyMac · 02/10/2020 17:18

New gazebo bought (well second hand obviously)

Phew! Expecting rain but less wind tomorrow

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Binglebong · 02/10/2020 17:50

Portable steamer that doesn't need mains. Then if things get creased travelling you can get the worst out.
Good luck tomorrow!

SaltyAndFresh · 02/10/2020 17:54

Oh my goodness. This reminds of the days when my mum would take me to her craft fairs. She gave up in the end because everyone turned their nose up at her genuinely artisan products because they expected import prices.

KatyMac · 02/10/2020 18:54

Oo I didnt know a portable steamer existed!!!! Wow!

I am selling eco/sustainable clothes so fingers crossed people will still like them, I had just got into my stride in February and then it went pear-shaped!!

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Allmyfavouritepeople · 02/10/2020 18:56

Do you have a website or anything? Not sure if you're allowed to link on here but I'd love to see your clothes. Buying sustainable clothes is the next step on my eco journey.

Trut · 02/10/2020 19:02

Me too, I’d love eco clothes

Summerhillsquare · 02/10/2020 19:18

Also intrigued by your products OP!

KatyMac · 02/10/2020 19:29

Its a bit niche but I use preloved/vintage household fabrics (tablecloths, curtains and bedding) to make costumes, occasion wear and wedding gowns

Happy to share by pm

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DellaDoo · 02/10/2020 19:40

Oh goodness , I’ve done lots of craft fairs, one where the organiser this time supplied heavy duty Market tents, if you were unlucky enough to be outside.

We were.

Everything got wet and damp.

I thought my husband might die, from hypothermia, he looked so awful, we made our excuses and left, after we stuck it out for ages, many others had left before us.

I had to buy him a bottle of whisky on the way home 😂😂

No ordinary gazebo is enough, you need a market stall one.

Our local fair` organiser will now not accept anyone without one, and you need massive 20kg weights on each leg.

My camping weights, would never be enough now.

We once got a mini portable gas canister heater, that was not allowed, even in the open air, with no one near us. ( It snowed that day)

Filthy smoke pumping BBQ’s were allowed though 🙄

I saw someones gazebo take off once, and I was one of those who helped catch a leg before it hit anyone

She was selling glitter glasses ( awful) but luckily nothing broke or injured anyone.

Many people were injured, hundreds of pounds of stock loss somewhere in the north east at an organised market stall craft fair.
Even the scaffolding broke.
A year or two ago

DellaDoo · 02/10/2020 19:42

You will really need to buy those massive metal weights.
Or it just isn’t safe

DellaDoo · 02/10/2020 19:42

Or stick to indoors 😇

TheMandalorian · 02/10/2020 19:44

Some battery heated gloves or those snappy handwarmers stuffed in your coat may help.

DellaDoo · 02/10/2020 19:45

Ther is an amber alert weather warning for the weekend, check your weather forecast.

We’ve just lost our garden gazebo, it had storm bars inside, a caravan storm strap over the top, and it was half height as it was a bit windy that day.

It’s withstood bad weather, but this whipped up from another side, and wrecked it.
It was heavy dusty too

DellaDoo · 02/10/2020 19:46

Duty...not dusty

KatyMac · 02/10/2020 19:49

I have 22kgs on each legs

It was so close last week and I was all my by self Confused

But i bought (today) a second hand commercial gazebo with the wheels on the bottom!! It had only been used 2 or 3 times and it was half price AND in my corporate colours

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Binglebong · 02/10/2020 21:01

Ooh just registered your name - you do lovely stuff! That tablecloth/napkin dress the other days is gorgeous.

KatyMac · 02/10/2020 21:39

Aw thanks @Binglebong is that, this one?

I justvsold it to America! Took me bloody ages to find insurance to sell there!

Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
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