Home from market

Ok it hasn’t taken me this long to get home from market and to recover from the big day!! But it is the silly season and I have been caught up with Christmas preparations and family gatherings.

My second market was a lot less work than the first and I am a lot happier with how my display looked. I arrived a little earlier and set up faster and felt a lot more settled when the crowds arrived. I even had a chance to check out a few other stalls before the day began. It was a hot day, but I managed to snag a spot near a lovely breeze which made the day a lot more pleasant.

Thanks to the Handmade Expo team for all of their hard work bringing handmade goodness to the area.

The Handmade Expo, only one more sleep.....

Thanks for all of your positive comments yesterday; I think I am on my way out of this slump. Only one more sleep until The Handmade Expo and the nerves and excitement are starting to kick in.
I have a bit of work left to do and all of the packing, so today will be a long busy one (tomorrow too). I think I shall go and put on some coffee and turn on some uplifting tunes.
Back with photos and a report on my stall when I have recovered (it took me a few days last time!).

My Creative Space this week is full of doubt…..

I’m having a very badly timed creative slump. My second ever market stall is this weekend at The Handmade Expo and I am feeling blah about all of my stock.

I’m really worried that the copper jewellery that I have been obsessed with the last month or so just isn’t up to scratch.

I don’t feel like making playdough, I don’t feel like doing any of the prep work that is required.

Then I keep remembering the posts of these inspirational ladies.
Miriam from Bubba Chenille is facing her 20th market stall this year.
Cathie from m.e. has 2 markets this weekend with mountains of baking required for each one.
Little Brown Dog's Bec just conquered 3 stalls in two days with a tiny baby in tow.
Then there is the unstoppable Cam of Curly Pops fame my head just swims when I read how busy she has been lately about a million market stalls and new retail stockist popping up everywhere.

If these special ladies can do it so can I, I just need to find the positive excited place I was in two days before my last stall (without all of the nerves!) and get my wares ready to put out there and hope for the best.

I have my fingers crossed I am out of this slump quick smart. Any tips on what you do to get out of funks like this would be greatly appreciated.

Check out what all of the other creative folk are up to this week over at the fabulous Kootoyoo.

The run down...

I am officially an experienced marketer now. It was such a big day it really exhausted me I didn’t even unpack the car until Sunday night!

I had a wonderful site in the shade with friendly neighbours and just across from the fudge lady (deadly, but oh so tasty!). I shared a space with Cuggles Creations; you can see her beautiful top quality hand made children’s wear on the front table. If you want a closer look pop over to Cuggles Creations.

So many people braved the baking heat to come out and support local crafts people and soak up the atmosphere. Thanks to Liesa, Micky and Miriam for hosting such a great market, you really should be very proud of what you have done for local handmadies and the community.

Things I learnt at my first market stall.…

• I need to allow more time to set up, I felt rushed and looking at the photos I could have improved the display (especially of the paintings) if I had more time to contemplate and fiddle

• The playdough needs to go up the front (thanks for the tip Liesa). After taking your advice it started selling.

• I must remember to take painkillers with me. My back had been playing up all week so I really shouldn’t have forgotten them. I also decided not to wear my sunnies in the morning – thinking I would look friendlier. I just gave myself a headache and probably spent the morning squinting and frowning at people in the glare!

• I have wonderful friends, thanks to all of the friendly faces who popped by and brightened my day. I really appreciate your support along with support and good wishes I received from my bloggy friends.

I have a few things to improve and restock before the next market, but next time won’t take nearly as much preparation and hopefully I won’t be as nervous.

Just a little peek at my stall…..

I hope to get time for a full run down and more piccies tomorrow. Thanks for all of the good wishes and nice comments as I prepared for this adventure.

A badly timed new obsession…

With just 2 days until The Handmade Expo, My Creative Space is supposed to be all about market preparation. There has been a lot of finishing touches on stock, making signs and planning presentation. Here are the photos I planned to share.

Then yesterday I saw this and immediately I just knew I had to give an Egyptian coil bracelet a go! It’s not quite finished, but a new obsession has begun. I am dreaming of copper and proper silver versions, learning how to oxidize, hammering techniques........ Do you think I have a short attention span??

Check out some other creative treasures over at Kootoyoo.

Busy, crowded, chaotic…..

They are all words that come to mind when thinking of how to describe my creative space at the moment. My desk is brimming with market preparations and every where you turn there are stacked paintings. Space was already at a premium, but after collecting 20 painting this week things are really tight.

I have purchased the canvas to begin the painting I mentioned last week, but I just don’t have the space to begin. I do hope some of the paintings find new homes in the next few weeks, a few look likely to go soon and I am hoping others don’t make it home after the Handmade Expo.

If you would like to check out some beautiful, calm, organized, creative spaces they can be found over here.  I don’t know that I will ever posses one of those!

The count down begins…..

Just 10 more days until my first ever market stall. I have had a productive morning preparing bits and pieces. As I have never done this before, I just don’t know what will be popular, how much stuff I should take, what prices are fair. So many unknowns, I shall just have to use this first time as a learning experience and if no one buys any of my goodies I shall have a batch of handmade Chrissy presents ready!!

I have been having so much fun making these little wire wrapped and button embellished magnets. I had planned to sell them as sets of three, but am now leaning towards singles.

The button bracelet idea has been revisited; I learnt some new skills and am so much happier with the finish. It’s so much nicer to wear and looks really professional. I am still not sure about selling them, I think I would have to sell them for $20 and I just don’t know if any one would be prepared to pay that much. What do you think?
Any tips or advice from the seasoned market sellers out there? I am really looking forward to it, but now that I know it’s only 10 days away I am starting to get nervous!

Overflowing

I collected the last of my paintings that have been in storage at the Art Day Out studio today.

This is just some of them; I was surprised by how many were still there. So now my poor little studio is even more crowded.

Hopefully some of these paintings will soon find new homes; a few are already on hold for a client and others will be coming with me to the Handmade Expo.

If something catches your eye, leave me a comment. I have reduced the prices drastically to move them quickly; the new prices range from $80 to $350 +p&h.

 If you think someone you know would be interested, please feel free to send them over for a look.

There are a few projects on in My Creative Space today.

On the easel is a little mock up pastel study for an oil painting, yes that’s right I am taking a baby step towards a “serious” painting again. It’s exciting and scary.

Little Guys first two years haven’t left me much time or head space for painting, I have done a couple of pieces, but just decorative stuff, not “art”. Even in the couple of years before his birth I didn’t produce much “art”. I was doing lots of corporate jobs and teaching and producing other stuff for the Art Day Out studio, so it’s been a long time. I am itching to get back to my true love.

I have to restock before I can get stuck into the painting, as luck would have it I have the perfect sized stretcher bars, but not enough canvas on my roll to get going. I have stuck to my guns and decided not to compromise on the quality of the canvas, I have a cheap, store bought canvas in the right size taking up room in the studio, but I am going to do this properly. Wish me luck on this exciting journey.

On the studio desk are some prototypes for new magnets for my Handmade Expo stand and a new stripy note book. It will be my morning pages book when I get my hands on another copy of The Artist Way. Thanks to Tinnie Girl for the inspiration to get back into this wonderful book, I am just so sad I can’t find my copy and I will have to go hunting for it in the book store.

To check out some more Creative Spaces head on over to Kootoyoo, it is truly inspiring seeing what else is going on with all the talented folk who play along.

I’ve taken THE PLUNGE!!!!!!

I have booked my first ever market space at The Handmade Expo. I am excited and nervous and overwhelmed. So make sure you mark it in your calendar, Saturday the 21st of November from 8 till 2. Don’t worry I won’t let you forget I am sure I will remind you again and again before we get there!!

While we are on the subject of The Handmade Expo, don’t forget to pop over to the blog and leave a comment on the give away post, even if you can’t be at the market to spend the voucher, by leaving a comment you will be increasing the prize money for the lucky winner (and that could be me!!!).

And just because I always like to include a picture and while we are talking of taking a plunge….. We took a plunge here too.

The ocean was crystal clear and it was perfect swimming weather, but it was just a quick dip as we looked out for salt water crocodiles! It is Cape York Peninsular (right at the very top of the pointy bit on the map of Queensland). It’s one of those very, very special places on our planet and I do hope we get the chance to go back there next year. Wouldn't you love to be there right now?

Exciting News Flash

The Handmade Expo blog has 100 followers and to celebrate they are having a give away. Pop on over and become a follower and leave a comment. The more comments they get the bigger the prize for the lucky winner and since I am hoping that winner is me – please go and comment away!!

I am still trying to muster the courage to have my own little stall at the wonderful Handmade Expo; one day soon I may take the plunge and join all of the talented folks who sell there.

Don’t forget my Blogtoberfest give away closes soon, if you haven’t entered yet it’s really easy just take a look here.

Stay tuned I may be posting again today, I am working on some new buttony prototypes and I can’t wait to share their buttony goodness with you.