Wednesday 30 October 2013

Georgina Fowler

Georgina Fowler has confirmed a space at The Boutique Christmas Market! I've loved Georgians work since seeing it at the prestigious Herefordshire Craft Fair. I'll start dropping hints now for people to buy me one of her cat decorated items...She'll be bringing a range of handmade jewellery, vases and other ceramic items to the event. See her Facebook for more info.



 "I am inspired by fairy tales, imagination and the surreal. Through drawing I electronically manipulate images to create a surface pattern that influences the imagination. With the use of bright colours this then explores a dream like existence. The patterns are then applied to ceramic vessels that have also been manipulated to have a subtle twisted shape"

Jan Knibbs


Jan Knibbs is an award winning textile artist based in Whitchurch. She'll be showcasing her beautiful embroidered cloths and accessories with us on December 1st in Monmouth. See her Facebook page for more designs. I'm really looking forward to seeing her latest work!



"I am a fashion and textile designer specialising in couture embroidery. I make bespoke embroidered garments and accessories especially jewellery often incorporating antique lace and other vintage finds."

Sarah Edmond Illustration

We also have Sarah Edmonds, a wonderful illustrator and print maker from Monmouth coming to our Christmas Market on December 1st. Fresh from a artist residency in Sweden, she'll be bringing colourful patterns and folk inspired imagery. See her Facebook to keep up with her newest illustrations and events. She'll be selling silkscreen prints, cards poster and much more.



"Sarah is an illustrator, print maker and book artist currently based in Cardiff. She screen prints, cuts paper, paints, draws and scribbles all sorts of designs for herself and other people. Runs workshops. Always travels with a sketchbook."

Peter and Rosemary Williams

We have Peter and Rosemary Williams confirmed for the Boutique Christmas Market this December. They have a stunning range of delicate silver jewellery and art. They live and work in monmouth and their pieces can be found in many local galleries. I'm really looking forward to seeing their display and making a few Christmas purchase!


"We have lived and worked together for over 40 years, and in that time we have come not only to an understanding of each other, but also of each others work.

It is through our constant collaboration that we have honed our skills, and learned to compliment one anothers craft."

Lush Lampwork

Julie creator behind Lush Lampwork has a wide range of beautiful handmade glass beads and jewellery. You can keep up to date with her on Facebook and see more of her designs in her Etsy shop. I especially love her cute little glass studs and ocean beads!



"I discovered lampwork beads when I was designing and making my own jewellery, so I originally started out making beads for use in my own creations.  Although the major part of my business is now making beads for jewellery makers to use in their own designs, I also really love to make jewellery too.  I am very lucky to have some amazingly talented metalsmith friends and enjoy combining their creations with my glass."

Monday 21 October 2013

Presentation ideas

 I've done a few markets in my time, and I'd like to share some of the best tips I've found and display ideas that you can use with your stalls. Please add any more helpful points that you can think of in the comments section. I'll write more posts about packaging and other tips in the future:

Keep standards high! Have ironed clean table cloths. Make sure everything works and won't fall apart on you (or a customer!) Practice your table display before you go, ideally a few days before so you can buy anything /clean anything you need to.

Create different levels. Items are more eye-catching when presented at different levels. You can create varying heights without the clutter on your table top by placing odd sized boxes under the table cloth. You can also collect boxes, shelves, cases etc that match each other in some way to have around your stall.If they match they won't distract form the products.

 Keep your display concise. You should bring lots of stock with you to your market, (if you can!) but it doesn't all need to be on the table at once, wait until things have sold them replace them. Or see what people are more interested in and change for items that are not so popular. If you talk to your customers you'll find out what they need and you can say, 'ah-ha...I have that! Let me just get it...'

Have a theme. The same as above really, but a table that hits you with a visual meassage rather than a blurry idea will draw people in. Maybe it's a certain set of colours you use or materials or decade you like. Are you selling vintage styled items? Go with it and use vintage suitcase, photos, props and more. People are more likely to leave remembering you if the can put your business 'on-a-peg' ("oh yes...Sussie, with the lace")


Packaging is important. Think about how each one of your items looks to a customer. Make all your items look as specail as they are. Put jewellery on backs or in boxes. Don't have fabric bags, cushion covers or scarfs slumped over the surface of your table. Brand them and make them into gifts ready to go!


Layout. Putting items in a logical order will help customers navigate there way around your table.
try having expensive items higher up your stall and cheeper things lower down. Or big items at either end working to little items in the centre.

Price everything clearly. People will not ask how much something is more than once, if at all. You can lable things individually or have a sign "Bags all £10" If you do write on a jewellery back do it in pencil so the customer can rub it of before gifting it!

Don't over clutter. In regards to some of the above points. You want to create a display that's interesting but don't go over board with the items you use. You don't want to confuses people with what you're selling and whats just display. Be aware that curios will distract from your product.


Other sites to look at:

Take a look at these pinterest pages; here , here , here and here which have some innovative set up ideas. Why not do a general search for 'market stall' or 'craft stalls' too for lots of photos andexamples.

This site had some really good advice and pictures too! The Finders Keepers 10 top tips Also how to dress a knockout craft stall

Saturday 19 October 2013

Hand Stands In The Garden

Another brilliant designer maker joining us for The Boutique Market on December 1st! Handstands in the garden is full of nostalgic creatures born of colourful floral fabrics and the imagination of Amanda. I'm in love with her plush cats, but there will be something for everyone at her table. Why not say 'hello!' via Twitter.



"Each design has its own personality and is made from a mix of vintage and retro fabrics."

Evellies

Another confirmed exhibitor: Amy is the talented maker behind Evellies. These handmade toys are so cute and beautiful! Amy's busy making now, so I can't wait to see what will be displayed at The Boutique Marketon December 1st.

"Hi my name is Amy I have a lot of fabric a big imagination and now an online shop. These furry friends are inspired by the imagination of childhood tales, innocence and love. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed creating them and bringing them to life. My background is in Theatrical costume which I enjoyed so much and was a wonderful experience but I have now left those days behind and am focusing my attention and skills on my new venture. I hope that you enjoy my shop and feel free to come on over to my blog, thank you. http:/evellie.blogspot.co.uk/"

The Welsh Gift Shop

The Welsh Gift Shop are confirmed for our Christmas Market! Have a look at their full range of welsh language and locally made products Here You can also follow them on Facebook.
 
I'm looking forward to the Welsh language Christmas cards you can't find anywhere! And the Christmas decorations of course, I'll be in full tinsel mode by Dec 1st ;)


"We are a small family-run online shop based in the ancient market town of Trefynwy (Monmouth)
We will always go the extra mile to ensure you are happy with your purchase. Think of us as your own personal shoppers!
Through [our] website, we aim to preserve, celebrate and support the wonderful traditions and crafts of our country - and make them available worldwide.
All of our products have been sourced by us and are of the highest quality. Enjoy the very best of Wales!"