Honeymoon Bay Market...

Here are some images of probably the cutest Market I've ever seen (if not my most successful...)
I went there on Sunday, which in Canada is like the US Fourth of July, sorta..it's Canada Day, and I thought I'd take a drive and check out a new Market...this place is only open on holiday Sundays, the rest of the time, it's just a regular Saturday Market.
It was all built by the same man, little individual rustic spaces with a lot of personality.
The 'church' one has it's own bell, which kids love to  ring when they walk in..although it was hard to get the perspective of the little buildings, the church was the size of a large walk-in closet (not too large) and all the other buildings were small but sweet ..all had shelves and 'windows' for display..unique in my experience..guess, though, if I wanted a decent (financially speaking) market I should come on Saturday, when it's sunny, not overcast and cold like yesterday..apparently, vendors there are quite successful.
The last two pictures are of my temporary spot..wish I'd known ahead of time that I wouldn't need my tent and tables..could have made the inside more inviting...live and learn...

A good lesson for anyone trying out a new Market for their handmade goods..believe it or not, it is always a risk..I have two weekly Markets now, and even though I'm an established vendor in my area, sometimes I do great, other times, no matter crowded or not, I sell nothing..you never know.
I had about an hour's drive (admittedly, scenic...) and really enjoyed meeting many new people and loved the look of the Honeymoon Bay Market, but, financially, it was a total write-off...still, I will probably go back sometime when the weather is better, and on a Saturday, which is supposed to be a better experience.

Although It's Far Too Warm...

Although it's far too warm for this summer vampire (I hate hot weather, don't really wake up till late afternoon, do very little outdoor selling, etc.) it is time to start thinking about Christmas Markets..
I know, I know, you'd rather have root canal than think about the 'holiday' right now, but for those of us who attempt to add to our ltttle nest egg through making and selling stuff, the time has come, as the walrus said, to speak of many things...
A friend and I have been busy plotting our strategies together (somewhat)..we'll be doing two fairs on the Island, not 'together' but at the same time, and I also, of course, will be at the Duncan Farmer's Market every Saturday that our rainy weather permits. I've signed up for two pretty major fairs (at least in these parts, they're major)..one called Christmas Chaos, also in the city of Duncan, but a biggie on the Central Island, and another in the suburban area near our capital city, Victoria, also a biggie, located at the Saanich Fairgrounds, on that little penninsula of land to the South.
Many markets in this area are completely ridiculous regarding costs..several are between $700-$1,000 and things here economically aren't much better than anywhere else..yet they do get vendors, who apparently make great swathes of cash..
I disapprove, and won't participate, not only for obvious reasons (I'd need a big bank loan to finace such an expensive three days) but also because these fairs charge admission...I personally, don't get it - why pay money to spend money? Guess that's just me....
So, we'll see you (or not) at Christmas Chaos, Nov 12th & 13th, or at the Saanich Fairground on Nov. 26th and 27th...
Or, of course, any given Saturday, at the Duncan Farmer's Market...from this September to mid-December..
And to all a good-night....

A Weird Day at the Market in the Square

Granted, yesterday wasn't my first day back outside, maybe my third or fourth, but the weather was so strange that it seems the average shopper thought better of it and stayed home..
It started out gray and chilly, but here on the West Coast of Canada we dress for that, this time of year, and a very grim Spring made us wary of throwing on the shorts and sandals just yet...
Later it was cloudy, windy, with the odd peek of the sun, lasting maybe five minutes, maybe less..and then it got downright epic.
The fun started- hail, and plenty of it, impossible, in an open canopy, to dodge or protect against it..what had already been a not so great day, financially, got worse by the minute, as everything was soaked..remember, I sell crocheted stuff, and it sucks up moisture in the air like a thirsty sponge, and rain and hail don't help either..great for keeping you warm and mostly dry, but...
I am currently sitting here surrounded by hats, on every available surface, that had to dry out overnight..just one of the many joys and sorrows of outdoor selling.
Because I sell alone, I can't always wander around and see what's going on, but it was slow yesterday, so took a few pictures to bring to you so you can get a sense of the people who create things to sell..a bit too early for the farmers to be here with their vast bins of produce, but i will produce more images as the season progresses..happy creating!
The first image is a side view of my little booth, no point in boring you with details of that. The next is Danusia and her wild mushroom booth - we are kinda famous here for having a wide variety of wild and edible mushrooms on this Coast- and she picks, dries and sells these in a dizzying variety.. the next is a booth of the woman who makes beautiful dyed silk scarves..and if you look to the left, you can see, besides their smiling faces (Mum and daughter) little whales and some other toys- so cute!
On to the main stage, where musicians, some good, some loud, regale us at every Market Saturday..then the woodworker behind me, whose little 'stove' would have made my heart sing as a child..love his stuff..
More later, as the season and the variety progresses.