Tent

I was at Costco this weekend buying plants and. Came across the tents that pretty much every vendor uses. After some discussion with my husband I decided to buy one. This will make it less stressful when the weather is back and it's an outdoor market.

We tried setting it up last night, took way longer than I thought it would and as of right now there is no way I can set it up on my own. 

It has walls as well so when it windy it'll keep my glass from blowing over! I'm happy I bought it and see many uses for it 

I'm trying out the Sylvan market again this week! Come check it out, 4-7:30. 

First market and busy cleaning

 I feel that my first market of the year went over pretty good. I was pretty much the only vendor at the market that did t have a tent. It was a beautiful evening so I didn't need one, but I  am in search of one so that wind and rain don't put me off. I had a lot of interest at my booth it not many sales. I did make friends with a few vendors around me. That all gave so e good tips and positive feed back. 

I was tole the locals don't tend to spend much on trinkets early in the market season. But once July August hit the Sylvan tourists goes trinket crazy. So I want to get more market experience in the for those months.

The owner of the food truck beside me also said it took a few markets before the locals started buying from her, many vendors found that they needed tube at a few markets to build their " reputation" before the locals took too much interest. She also said she wished vendor with crafty items had a way of showing their process. She loved my glass work but really had no idea what goes Into making it. I think that's a great idea. Many customers have no idea the time and the creative process behind my work. I have a digital photo frame, that I'm thinking of bringing to my next market. I will rotate pictures with short descriptions about my work.  I think it will draw interest towards my work as well. I also hope it explains some of the price points I have.

This week I have been working in cleaning up my studio. I have plans in the next few weeks of adding some more shelving and a built in counter for my fusing. I NEED more storage! My Hubby has agreed to help out! 

Here are all the scraps I tidied up 

 I have been wanting a few items for my shop for a while and have been searching for a canadian source to purchase them. No luck. So I broke down and just bought them for the States. Am surprised how much cheaper so e of the items are. And shipping  isn't that bad either. I bought three new molds. One is a bowl

The second is a retro serving bowl

And lastly a mold to form hair clips.

I also bought a pack of hand polishers since I don't have a lap saw. These will help me polish the edges of certain pieces and take off any rough edges that I can't get with my grinder. I hope my oder doesn't take long to arrive! 

I also have a surprise in the kiln......and you say argyll anyone?.......:) 

Market tomorrow

First farmer's market of the season is tomorrow. Hopefully I have everything ready to go! I am very curious to see what items sell. At the past markets I've done I have had too much interest. I guess many people go to a market looking for veggies and fresh food type goods. I am hoping I can convince enough people to stop at my table and at least take a look and a card.

I am part of an online vendor group, some advice they gave me:

1. Don't over dress, be approachable.

2. Stand as much as you can and smile.

3. Wear or model an item or two

4. Make sure to make friends with vendor around you.

5. Display items at different eye levels.

6. Have helpful items on hand like tape, scissors, pen, note pad. 

7. Set up an email list for interested customers.

8. Have a bin of "sale" items for customers to look through. 

9. display a show stoping piece or two but be prepared to sell mostly items below 10$

10. When making conversation tell customers about how your product is made, what inspires you

Any other tips?

What items or theme( Father's Day, grad, deck decor etc) would like to see at a market?

What is the main reason you go to a market?