Setting Up A Market Stall

Yesterday we had our first market stall with me selling my terrariums and some things I had lying around the house and Nancy with her felt mustache brooches etc. So here we are for the Monday morning post mortem where I will be dissecting the experience into things that were good and things to improve.

Things That Went Well

- The staggered height display worked well because a lot the jars look better at eye height.

- I got invaluable advice from a market stall veteran who was next to me about perservering with doing the markets to get more exposure. 

- Not something I personally did but the weather ended up sunny but not too hot so a lot of people were out and about. 

- The timing of the markets was great because 'Sculptures of the Sea' was on so a lot of people were coming to and from that.

- I got at least 50 people who spontaneously broke out in smile with my terrariums and around 5 that came up to me and told me how much they loved them - always heartwarming.

- A lot of my friends came out to see my stall and show their support which made me realise just what great friends I had!

Things That Can Be Improved

- We had two tables on either side of the stall so people had to walk in to have a look, next time we'll just have one tablet horizontally at the at front for better exposure to people walking by.

- I'm going to get some cute boxes so people can give them as gifts.

- We both got sunburnt despite borrowing a big beach umbrella from our lovely neighbour so we'll have to better protect ourselves whilst outside all day.

- I'm only going to sell my terrariums and not my other stuff as it's not the primary focus of the stall and just clutters the stall.

- I'm going make some more basic, smaller terrariums as most people don't want to spend too much.

- I need to get business cards so people can look me up later.

I made around $220 which I was happy with but have learnt that profit isn't the main goal of the market stall. I was just as happy when someone would be walking by and then stop suddenly because a terrarium had caught their eye and then a smile would break out of their face. Or when a group of people would stand their and each point out their favourite terrarium to their friends. Priceless. I'll be having another stall in December so keep your eyes and ears open folks.

To Market We Go!

So the big day is almost upon us. This SUNDAY 28th October is going to be our first market stall day at Bondi Beach markets. For more info check out their website http://www.bondimarkets.com.au/. I'm hoping this temperamental Sydney weather holds out on the day otherwise we'd be forced to be move it to the following week. The good news is that it coincides with this year's Sculptures by the Sea which features beautiful large scale sculptures along the coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte. 

As you may know, I've been obsessively making my terrariums so stock wise I'm good. But I'm currently getting my display ready. I've disassembled our bookshelf so I can steal the shelving for the table display and made a cute bunting sign. So look out for 'Evergreen Terrariums' if you're in the area and come and say hi on the day.

Sydney Rides Festival

When Kevin and I come back to Australia in a few years we've decided we're moving to Melbourne. Not that we don't love Sydney for all its lovely weather, beaches and containment of our friends and family but we're hoping Melbourne will provide us with a better living culture.

One thing I'm particularly hoping for is a better bike culture where pedestrians and motorists are more accepting of cyclists. In Sydney I am constantly disappointed by the lack of empathy for cyclists who should be supported for reducing the amount congestion on our roads and fumes in our air. 

Today was the launch of the Sydney Rides Festival. Three spots along the Bourke St bike path were dedicated to live music, markets and spaces to sit and relax. 

Ukulele band

I got to eat a rose and raspberry popsicle next to Hunter the kelpie, decorate my bike basket with streamers and flowers,and whilst Kevin was trying out the new free street bike pump across the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills - Clover Moore (mayor of Sydney) came over and talked to us about how we were finding the new pump. Plus Kevin got to pat her staffies. 

Overall a great day in the sun and even though we got abused by a crazy dude and almost hit by a car (typical Sydney folks), we will keep on bikin'.

My strange addiction - terrariums

So there's a TV show called 'My Strange Addiction' where you find people being addicted to all sorts of weird things like eating chalk, pulling out their own hair to a and extreme tanning (think flourescent orange). Well I believe I've developed my own strange addiction - making terrariums! 

Firstly, I've been weasling glass jars from friends and random places. Even coffee jars that are in current use I will worm into my possession by tipping the left over coffee into a takeaway container and running off with the precious vessel. Apologies to my work colleagues, I hope you'll understand and support me through this tough time.

Secondly, I've been spending all my extra time and thinking power into developing new concepts for my terrariums and most of them work out though there is the odd one I have to walk away from and clear my thoughts before re-working it. It's all part of the creative process I guess.

Hopefully my market stall will be happening Sunday 28th October at Bondi Beach markets, I've put in my application and am nervously awaiting to see if we've snagged a place. I'm super excited and even if I don't sell a single thing (though I hope this won't be the case), it's still a chance get out there and have a chat to some people and gauge people's responses to my craft. On the whole I've had really positive reviews so far, thanks guys!

I've been busy as a bee working on these:

In addition to my terrariums, the market stall will have my friend Nancy's wares as well which include handmade brooches and mini pegs made from felt. Check it out!