Creative Women Summer Showcase
At the beginning of August I finally threw myself back into in person selling with my first craft market of the year. Alongside the Stockport Creative Women collective I showcased both new and legacy work at Stockroom, Stockport's new library and community hub.
Despite my apprehensions I had a surprisingly lovely time, due no doubt in part to the warmth of my fellow exhibitors. We had great footfall and I was able to sell a good number of cards and prints, including lots of card designs which I printed specially for the event and don't have online. I more than made back my costs which in my experience counts as a serious success!
After the initial hard graft of shifting my work and materials from a 3rd storey car park down to Adlington Walk and setting up my stall as planned, I had to remember how to settle into the odd pace of a day on a market stall. Sudden spikes in foot traffic and the corresponding excitement over sales are counterbalanced with long stretches of trying not to zone out while waiting for more customers. Luckily I had very friendly neighbours at this event and we were able to keep each other company and cover each others' stalls if anyone needed a break. I certainly learned from them how to improve my own stall set up in the future, from print displays to vertical hanging grids clamped to the table, the experienced women really knew how to make the most of a 6ft trestle table!
Customer interactions are another challenge. I'm yet to figure out the perfect way to welcome someone to the stall without scaring them off - I know when I'm browsing a fair I'm apprehensive about speaking to people and then disappointing them if I don't make a purchase. I clearly need to think of a pithy opening line!
Apart from remembering how to best display my work and manage the energy shifts throughout the day, my biggest takeaway was how much people still want to see and purchase art in person. However comfortable we have become online, there's nothing quite like being able to look at artwork close up and feel for yourself the quality of the work. And there's a certain joy in being able to speak to the person who designed and created the thing you are buying. I'm sure these conversations make artwork feel more personal and special than an anonymous online purchase. Perhaps that's just my feeling, but I had some lovely conversations with the various Stopfordians who took the time to admire and compliment my work.
As you might guess from the positive tone of this blog, I'm already looking forward to my next market opportunities. I can't share everything here yet, but I have a few exciting options in the pipeline. Meanwhile, my next confirmed event with be at Stretford Public Hall on the 22nd November, where I'll be again selling cards, prints and hopefully some new Christmas items.