Since my last posting, much has happened...
I have switched to a drop-in situation at the Saturday Duncan Market, since the powers that be decided to ignore my requests for a shady spot and stick me in the most brutally hot area of the Market...a message that has definitely been received...so they lose all that seasonal money from me...oh well....
I will still be in a seasonal spot at the Chemainus Market on Wednesdays...
I am currently exploring other Markets in my area, as they are plentiful and seemingly welcoming to new vendors....
One of the issues with many Markets is controlling the numbers of certain items in the crafting category..such as jewelry. There are lots of people who wish to sell it, but no Market wants too much of anything...I understand this, yet, because I sell primarily seasonal creations like hats and scarves, I need to have an alternative to round out my sales for Spring to late Summer..and that, for me, has always been jewelry.
Unfortunately for me, many Market Boards won't let me sell it, so I am limited to the ones that will...
Tonight I am going to an adjudication for a Market in the Greater Victoria area..
(For those of you not Canadian, Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, a Province in Canada, and it's located on Vancouver Island where I live.)
I am confident of acceptance, but a bit worried about their attitude regarding jewelry..everyone wants me to sell my hats, but few want the jewelry sales that I depend on...Ironically, the busiest times for sales are the Summer months, when we get lots of tourist traffic...the time when hats don't sell as well for obvious reasons, and jewelry sales blossom...people are wearing less so have a place for jewelry to show, like bare arms, necks, ears when the hair is pulled back, etc....*sigh* It can be very frustrating, but that is a part of the Craft/Farmer's Market reality, so I have to adapt....
Wish me luck tonight...I have often read that setbacks (like the Duncan Market) should be viewed as opportunities for expansion and change in a positive way, so that is how I'm trying to approach this year's adventures in crafting..now if only gas were a whole bunch less expensive....
There is one flea market that I've sold at...one time, in one year due to the fact the lady who runs it saves spots for the regulars. I find this very unfair and bad business as it's a good idea to incorporate 'new' venders...So, needless to say...I feel ya! Good luck and be patient, summer is right around the corner.
ReplyDeletebunny
ps...I want to go to Victoria BC...really really bad.
Hello there, I was ready to try and figure out what happened to you! Great to hear your 'voice' again!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing some street markets last time I was visiting down there, aren't there street markets where you could go and sell? You should check, I bet your stuff would find a great audience, bunny...
Just make sure and let me know ahead of time when you talk your hubs into visiting here...love to get together..
The whole Island is really beautiful, I'm sure you'd love it...Thanks for the kind words...♥