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

[KatyMac]

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

I would have a tablet or iPad showing a rolling loop of your Instagram and pics of your clothing when you are on your stall.

As a consumer I would not enter your stall as it looks overcrowded and I don’t like that and honestly I think it detracts from the craftsmanship. You should take less and show case it.

No need to apologise. Just think your stuff is lovely

I like that idea @Atalune ill see if mine has a long enough battery

Aw thanks @Thinkingg I am doing the children's clothes first the the gowns

I guess there is going to be some over lap - items in more than one section.....who knows

Then I might pin those posts at the top? Along with an album of sold items? Maybe?

I like the tablet idea but please make sure you work out a way to show it securely. People will nick anything given a chance.

The facebook problems were why I was suggesting an Etsy shop - you can use facebook to showcase but you need an east to use site for sales.

I know i need to get some policies written for etsy

I managed to get the children's album finished yesterday but I have at start the jackets/clothes and gowns still

Its been a horrid year and I cant get my act together

@KatyMac

I know i need to get some policies written for etsy

I managed to get the children's album finished yesterday but I have at start the jackets/clothes and gowns still

Its been a horrid year and I cant get my act together

Its been a horrid year and I cant get my act together

I know if the feeling. It's like all the uncertainty and worry has settled this low level lethargy over me. Without colleagues around I struggle to stay focused and motivated. And then it's a vicious cycle of feeling guilty which makes it worse.

Yes and I've lost my mum to heart failure, a family member to suicide and the cat as well

So im not functioning

That sounded wrong/harse somehow sorry

I'm struggling even to make proper sentences

Soery

Oh gosh that's awful, and there's me moaning about my minor problems

I'm so sorry to hear that KatyMac You're doing incredibly just to keep going. Sending you strength.

Sending love.

@KatyMac

I remember a very very long time ago you sent my Dd a swim suit cos your Dd had grown out of one? Do you remember that? It was blues and pinks and floral? Anyway. I wanted to remind you of that because at that time in my life I was not in a good place. My dad had died and my mum was in bits. And it was that little act of kindness from you to me, a stranger.

You’re a very very good person and I am sending you a lot of love.

I'm sorry guys I'm just so overwhelmed and I want a cat and someone to do all the admin and social media and make me sew again

I'm usless atm and I cant do anything

Thanks @Binglebong @Thinkingg

@Atalune what a memory you have! Thank you

Today I will be less negative!

Have a day of moping. One where you give in, stuff yourself with chocolates and allow every misery. One day. You will quickly be thoroughly sick of it and it can act as a restart for tomorrow.

I did that on Wednesday and thursday I had reflexology yesterday and I'm not out of bed yet

I have some fabulous stuff ready to go! Stupid brain!

I have sold at a lot of craft fairs and a lot of them are not very modern and a bit trending towards conservative.
Do you think your clients are from this demographic or a bit younger and more adventurous?
I think you have have to find the trendier shows- Camden market, Cambridge market etc.
If your stuff sells to younger people then Brighton lanes, music festivals etc. Folk festivals as well.
Are you selling wholesale to stockists?
You need an environment which has an emphasis on design. There are clothing designer shows in London for wholesalers.
I do craft fairs indoors, there’s lots of companies such as Eden Craft, Aztec etc who do County Fairs and Garden Shows but you would have to be careful that your clothes would find buyers there, rents are quite high.
I hope you don’t think I’m trying to put you off I’m just trying to save you time and energy and get you to put time into discovering the correct avenue to go down.
Most shows this year have been cancelled for me, I think Etsy is a good start.

I'm very small potatoes it can take me a month to finish a piece (or longer) and I can often have 6 or 7 on the go - then ill get a 'sew-on' and finish loads at once (this is missing from my life right now)

I was hoping to do cosplay, re-enactment, folk and faerie type festivals this year but obviously....plus I had no-where to sleep and I cant do tents really!

I know Brighton or Cambridge or Bristol would be good but they are so far and good marketa cost a lot/have a waiting list

I looked at Sandringham for Christmas- but I probably don't have 3 days worth of stock yet

I think it's been canceled.
I'm still not convinced that you would find customers at those kinds of shows. I'm not trying to be negative, it's just that you need to find the right kind of shows for your work.
As all the shows have been cancelled anyway, I think a real big push into online would be a better direction and finding customers there would give you confidence.
Your work looks lovely!

I wondered that too

I think you are totally right I just need to work out where

I did pretty well at an eco market and oddly im doing OK at the popupshop I do in Sudbury

I see driving a long way in my future.....

Thanks everyone for being so lovely

I did some hand sewing yesterday and today I nearly finished a dress

Dress finished

3 events this last weekend

Managed a 12 ft space, a popup market so 2 narrow 6 ft sides and a mending table and now it all shuta down again

Well to update this

First market of the year/Post covid today and it was wonderful

I think my set up is better and it looks good

Sold a few pieces and easily covered my fairly substantial pitch fees

Feeling much more positive

@KatyMac

Well to update this

First market of the year/Post covid today and it was wonderful

I think my set up is better and it looks good

Sold a few pieces and easily covered my fairly substantial pitch fees

Feeling much more positive

Excellent

Currently we won’t be out to anywhere until July.
(And look like we’ll be camping a maximum of 3 times this year. Anything else is going to be indoors with hotels - it’s not the same as sleeping in the back of a van in a field! But it does mean at least heading back to some normalisation)

Your clothes are amazing!

Thanks @PyjamaFan I made a new shirt and waistcoat - if I can get DD to take some photos I'll put one up

I am really please with it - my first attempt at boning (using cable ties )