Craft Market stall experience 3.0

Thanks to everyone who came to my third stall at the North Essendon Craft Market this Easter, on 26 March, 2016. Hope you had an amazing Easter weekend! 

Here is me all smiles at the beginning of the day after the set up:

For this month's stall, I had been working my way through more purchases since I had some inventory ready. I had a good stock ready for my photo albums, so I created some newer baby gifts and generic fun cards for Easter, and other occasions like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. 

I bought two trestle tables, and got corresponding fitted table covers stitched. I wanted a rustic, vintage-y table runner, so I had been rummaging through the stores to find one I could use. I kind of knew I wanted something to do with burlap, but wasn't happy with the plain burlap found in the stores.  

So, I made my half-way across the Melbourne city to go to a cafe selling old coffee bean bags. They had heaps and heaps to choose from, and I ended up picking five of the same print (what are the odds?!) I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with all of them, and what size I required, but I knew I wanted them in my life!! I just love the rustic prints. They are just so full of character, fun and unique! 

Craft Market stall experience 2.0

For my second stall, I tried to be a little more prepared - in terms of inventory, and display, both.

In terms of inventory, I tried to stock on some newer kinds of cards and photo albums. I added some more 3D box cards, some shaker cards, and some fashion cards. As for photo albums, I had created some newer projects to feature in my stall - Travel journals, Art journals, Explosion boxes, "Women's Wallet" photo albums, "Burger box" photo albums, and some fun Easter favor boxes, and cards - for the occasion.

To display all this new inventory, I made quite a few purchases and tried to come up with fun display ideas for my items. Baby steps to a gorgeous stall some day! I got a new shabby chic card display stand. Dear hubby helped hammer some nails to add twine on the shelves. This would help the cards stay put. I had a cork board lying around, so I added some jute twine to hang the cards with some cute wooden clothespins. I put a metallic table easel to make my cork board standing comfortably erect on the table. I bought a marble cake board, and a stained plastic glass to make a "center" display. I thought this would be perfect to display all the Easter stuff I had made. I even sat and made price tags for all the items.

On the day of the stall, I had so many butterflies in my stomach. But, this time, at least I knew what to expect. I was better prepared. With newer displays, we took a little longer to figure out where to place what. But here is how it looked in the end. Overall, I was quite happy with it, and exactly how I imagined it! 

But the day was SLOW. There were fewer visitors to the market on the whole, and most stalls felt that the number of buyers were much lesser than the number of visitors, hence, fewer sales this time. But we had some friends visit us, and it was great to catch up, and get the encouragement. And, a big thank you and shout out to all who came by, gave me encouragement, and purchased things from my stall!

Anyhow, I had lots of new experiences, and lots of new learning. Items that I sold were mostly my greeting cards, and my Bunny Easter favour boxes this time. I had made some cardboard weights to keep my 3D box cards stable, and they worked like a charm in the Melbourne winds! However, my cork board kept falling off the stand, so I need to stabilize it further - I think two easel stands will do the trick! Also, I think I forgot to stick the cake board to the glass, so that kept topping over every time someone touched it. This time I need to remember to stick it down!

Craft stalls are so much of a learning experience! You just cannot predict how the day is going to turn out. But, I guess that's the thing - You should be prepared for both the scenarios - the good one, and the bad one. Have fun through the day, meet lots of new people, and most of the times, "Gray skies are just clouds passing over"!! :)

My very first Craft Market stall experience!

I still remember the mad panic I had setting up my first market stall last month. Just two days before the craft market, I was informed there was a spot, and I grabbed onto the opportunity, deciding to make a few last minute items with a full time job, and preparations for the outdoor stall. As for preparations, last minute purchases included all things from plastic table cloths, chairs, to stall display items that I could find. I managed to rent tables at the venue, so that worked out great! My business cards were ordered, but hadn't reached me yet, so I was a little upset. But dear hubby managed to get some printed for me, which did just the trick! I was completely unsure about how I would set up the stall, about my handmade products, or my setup. 

At 10:00 pm the day before, I realized I didn't have a banner for my stall name. I had always wanted my own little shop, and had the most excitement painting a cute bunting to hang, while my hubby dear helped me pack everything up. I was so anxious I could hardly sleep. I might have fallen asleep by 2:00 am, only to wake up at 7:00 am. The weather was meant to be gloomy, with rains. I must have made a few 100 silent prayers in my head - which went answered! Couldn't have asked for a better day!

We arrived early at the North Essendon Craft Market to set up the stall. I was quite nervous setting up, because everyone else around me looked so professional and had so much stuff! When I started setting up the stall, I did not even know which side to have my display. LOL. I had gone with the expectations that it would be a whole new learning experience, and that sales didn't matter as much. But in the end, my little stall did better than I expected and I was able to sell my big ticket items, so I was really happy :)

A big thank you to every one who came by, gave me words of encouragement, said hello, appreciated me, and purchased things from my stall! My husband was amazing and stayed with me helping me set up, and getting some snacks. My very first sale was while he was gone getting us both some coffee! It was a travel journal and a greeting card I had made with so much love. I just could not believe it - my hands were shaking, and I think I may be talking gibberish. One of my customers loved her purchase so much, she went by showing it off to a few tables alongside. The happiness on her face was just priceless, and made my day even more special than it was! 

Items that I sold included my unique travel journal, coffee book, explosion box, and some greeting cards. I had made some Valentine greetings and gifts, and I think they were the least popular probably because the demographic was older, and obviously they could not relate to those gifts. I also found out a few things about my set up. It was pretty good for the first time, I had laid everything out on the table, but my greeting cards on display kept flying off in the winds. So, this time I’ll do something to fix that.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel going through the whole market adventure - if it would be successful or not, but it turns out I did good, and people appreciated me, so I feel motivated to do another one! 

Looking forward to it this month! :)

Love,
Divya