Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Binglebong · 02/10/2020 21:54

That's the one! Beautiful.

KatyMac · 03/10/2020 00:58

Aw thanks

I am playing with a new one atm

Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
OP posts:
joystir59 · 03/10/2020 01:10

Very interesting work OP. Hope you sell well tomorrow, which is in fact today!

KatyMac · 03/10/2020 11:44

Thanks, it is piddling down - but the gazebo is better than my old one

OP posts:
Binglebong · 03/10/2020 23:39

How did it go?

Thinkingg · 03/10/2020 23:47

Your stuff looks lovely. Do you sell it online?

KatyMac · 04/10/2020 02:09

I think it went better, the new gazebo was much more stable

I still think it looked a bit like a jumble sale tbh

DH came with me but it was too much for him really
And everything felt damp!

Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
Had a totally horrid day at a carft fair/market  today - any helpful hints and tios for the next one
OP posts:
KatyMac · 04/10/2020 02:11

@Thinkingg i try to i keep thinking about etsy but then i get scared - imposter syndrome and worrying about people's expectations

@Binglebong thanks for asking Smile

OP posts:
Binglebong · 04/10/2020 09:56

Your stuff is perfect for Etsy! The only thing I would say is you've got to direct people there - it's too big for people to stumble on your shop.

Looks good to me and not at all Jumble sale like! Grin

KatyMac · 05/10/2020 09:39

I guess I just worry that without seeing my stuff people won't buy it
Talking about what it was before and how I come up with my ideas seems to help with the sale

Still considering some sort of trailer/caravan idea as I find packing and unpacking the car exhausting - and I . cant find a battery steamer!

OP posts:
Thinkingg · 05/10/2020 23:00

I guess your etsy store could be more for word of mouth, for people who hear about it or see a picture but can't make it to the craft fairs. Friends-of-friends, and friends-of-customers. Maybe you could include before and after photos.

KatyMac · 07/10/2020 08:25

Hmm, maybe yes

But i do all of that on Instagram and fb already so its something else to get up dated

Going to measure the car today to see if I can get wardrobe boxes in (like removals) as the clothes are getting so crushed moving from storage to car to gazebo to car to storage

Coming round to the idea of a caravan/trailer idea again i feel so conflicted

OP posts:
KatyMac · 07/10/2020 08:39

@Binglebong can you link to a cordless steamer please i am being a bit dumb!

OP posts:
Lexilooo · 07/10/2020 09:31

You really need a market stall rather than a gazebo. Much more sturdy, not really expensive and they can be customised to your requirements. Ours has different pieces so we can do different size pitches and is heavy duty so we can hang large framed pictures on it.

DH can get it up alone just, but there are a couple of bits that I couldn't do alone. Ours is big and heavy though, with lots of joins as when we bought it we needed it to pack down into a small hatchback. You could get a set up more suited to ease of putting up.

We got ours from www.market-stalls.co.uk really great service and they worked with us to get it right and have supplied extra bits when we have wanted to extend it.

They do a specific design for clothes stalls.

KatyMac · 07/10/2020 09:47

The one I got is similar to this

OP posts:
TeenPlusTwenties · 07/10/2020 09:57

Not my area of expertise at all, so probably a rubbish idea, but could you consider taking less stock so you can show it off better?
Then maybe a photo board of other items you have?

Can't you co-opt your lovely daughter to help/model for you?
(Thinking she may be short of work at the moment)

KatyMac · 07/10/2020 10:02

She is very short of work (but working on a project with the arts council for next year) and is helping on Sunday

I have some good photos but as stock changes as I sell things photoshoots are a big outlay in time and money

Only doing indoors would necessitate taking less (a 6 ft table) which means leaving the big gowns behind and they tend to bring people in to the stall

Who'd have thought my CPD now would be about trailers, handheld steamers and market stalls!!

OP posts:
Lexilooo · 07/10/2020 10:42

For winter outdoor shows you really need something more like this www.market-stalls.co.uk/market-stalls/fashion.php

We used to have a gazebo and it was a liability in bad weather, even summer. We only really do indoor or marquee shows now as it isn't worth risking weather damage to stock. If it is a 6ft table set up we get two plots adjacent and ask for no tables so we cab set up as we wish.

user13745865422563 · 07/10/2020 11:12

Talking about what it was before and how I come up with my ideas seems to help with the sale

Do you have any videos or a YouTube channel or anything? Have you ever done a time lapse video of any of your projects (like the one you shared a few photos of up thread)?

It might help draw people in to an online presence - I mean, I'm intrigued and this isn't usually my thing... you could use the stop motion app to make the video by taking regular photos to show the transformation from what it used to be to what you create, then add a voiceover.

Also, I wonder if it's worth trying having less stuff on display so that what is there is more of a showcase to draw people in? If you're finding that people are put off by how much there is / not being able to tell what's there?

I realise that seems counter intuitive (more stock out should equal more sales) but if less on display means more people are drawn in and actually make purchases (and you can then put more stock out?) Then it could actually work out with a higher sales figure.

Could be worth a try anyway to see what happens.

I know I personally avoid craft stalls with lots of rails of clothes you have to look through and pull out to see properly. I'd be more likely to pause at a stall where I could already properly see fewer clothes as I approached compared to ones where I have to go inside and look through rails to find out what they're about.

user13745865422563 · 07/10/2020 11:15

If you did have less stock out and also had an online shop then you could show people that /give them the shop name once you'd enticed them in. Which might then translate into sales when they're back home with a cup of tea afterwards?

user13745865422563 · 07/10/2020 11:18

I've done that at craft fairs where I've seen something I liked but wasn't sure at the time if I could justify the cost, or liked their crafting style/idea but wasn't sure about the specific items they had that day... went home and hit their online shop.

I'm sure other people must do that too?!

Binglebong · 07/10/2020 13:51

That's a good idea. Business cards are still very useful!

I'm afraid I now can't find one of those steamers. I'm sorry, I know I've used one before.

Binglebong · 07/10/2020 13:52

Could you have a battery in your car to run a normal steamer?

KatyMac · 07/10/2020 18:46

I think you are all right

When it's dry everything is more spread out and looks much better

2 tables for indoors is a great idea & I'll look into an inverter for the car or a steamer than runs on lower voltage

I don't use business cards as they end up a form of paperwaste but I have a sign I get people to photograph with my contact details but lots of people look on facebook or instagram there and then and I get new likes

I have 1x3 ft rail the rest are hung on the gazebo or they are on mannequins - oh I lie; the children's clothes are on a mini rail too!

I wouldn't have a rail for the adult clothes at all if I could display a few more

I really appreciate everyone's help - thanks all

I saw this fabulous caravan shop 2 weeks ago and I found a company who might make me one!!

OP posts:
tommika · 11/10/2020 20:22

Its a lot easier to set up a gazebo with two people, but it can be done by one.

Check the types of pegs and guy ropes that you have, if they are basic pegs, or even more substantial pegs I'd recommend upgrading to drill pegs and ribbed stakes.
I prefer paracord to the guy ropes normally supplied.

Look for drill pegs / rock pegs like these:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SWHTSRR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATK8G06TG8KA7&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21
(Make sure that they have the hexagonal head, and you will also need a cordless screwdriver to use them. A cordless drill could do the job, but a dedicated screwdriver will be better at the job)
Double check the holes in the feet of your gazebo legs to make sure the holes are big enough to take the drill pegs
Stakes like these will secure gazebos in most environments.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07P1B6BTT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8
(You will need a lump hammer to hammer them in)
Order more pegs and stakes then you would need to secure the gazebo, it helps to have a spare stake for leverage if they are hard to get out and its better to have spares then to lose one and not have enough. Stakes should come out by twisting back & forth as you pull, if they are stuck solid then use a spare as a lever to loosen them)

If you are setting up alone, then gently separate the gazebo legs a little at a time, walking around to diagonally opposite legs.

Optionally as you make some progress hammer in a couple of stakes, and loosely wrap guy ropes to them. This is to minimise risk of a gust of wind. The guy ropes need to be loose enough to allow you to continue to spread and raise the gazebo, but short enough to stop it flipping. If you have stakes as linked above then wrap the guy rope around a few times without fully tying down. This allows you to adjust easily while continuing to assemble.

As you pass each leg lift it up and put it down, trying to let the gazebo naturally spread without too much tension on the frame.
If possible, when you are able to, go under the centre of the gazebo and push up the central pole. Attempt to push it as far as you can to lock open all the corners.
If you can't raise from the centre then raise the top by raising one corner at a time.

If you have two people then raise two legs at a time, lifting one side only.
Raise one click at a time so the gazebo slightly tips, then raise the opposite side.
If raising by yourself, then put one leg up one click, go round to the next, go up one click, go to the third ... etc
As you're doing so remember to lift and put down each leg allowing any tension in the frame to release.

Note: Gazebos usually have 3 height settings, avoid the highest setting unless you need the height. Generally use the middle setting.
Once you have the gazebo up, adjust the temporary guy ropes.

Add the sides, and adjust the legs making sure the sides all go together without being too tight or too loose.
Use the drill pegs to secure each leg.

Add your weights. Ideally they are either the H style or this style:
www.amazon.co.uk/Crocodile-Trading-Weighted-Shelters-Extra-Diameters/dp/B01C1VXCUA/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=gazebo+weight&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1602442430&sr=8-20

Finally adjust / secure your guy ropes.
If there is space then put them out at angles, and the stakes at 45 degrees. (Add bunting etc to make them more visible and prettier then just rope)
If there isn't space then put the guy ropes down at an angle along the side.

When you are packing down:
Take a final walk around the gazebo, release any straps and make sure there is no stock, pegs, hangers etc on the frame.
Remove the sides
Lower the legs (The guy ropes will loosen, but leave them attached for the moment)
Unpop the roof corners
Unscrew the drill pegs at each foot
Begin to walk each leg into the centre, then go to the opposite leg etc
Release the guy ropes from their stakes
Don't roll up the guy ropes, flip them over into the roof.
(This way the guy ropes are ready to be secured when you next assemble. It isn't helpful to be uncoiling neat guy ropes while your gazebo is being buffered by wind)
When you have the gazebo dismantled hug it to close it down as tightly as possible.
If the gazebo is not behaving at packing down then stop and reassess. Never force it to pack, as something will get bent.

If there are two of you, then one should fetch the bag and the other should hug and slightly lift the gazebo. The one with the bag places the bag neatly at the feet.
If the bag won't shut properly then the gazebos feet either aren't properly placed in the bottom of the bag, or isn't closed enough.

If you are bagging the gazebo on your own, then it can be possible to bag it stood up, but I find it easier to lay down the gazebo, lay the bag over the gazebo (zip face down), roll them together then finish packing and zip it up.

In principle the instructions often tell you to take the roof off the gazebo and pack it seperately. But that means another job when setting up.
If you do. remove the roof and neatly pack the roof and sides, then hang them up at home etc then you can prolong their life. But especially noting from your photos that you have a white gazebo you are more likely to decide you need a new full set before the roof and sides give up.
(We mainly use cream gazebos, and thought they were pretty clean until buying a third gazebo and seeing the difference, so bought another replacement set of sides & roof)
Have a final walk around, pick up all pegs, stakes & tools.

Swipe left for the next trending thread