Tuesday 28 February 2012

The Dandy Lion Market Special March Edition 'Ladyfolk'



The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Rd N65AT 12:30-5:30 pm FREE

In recognition of International Women's Day & Mother's Day this month's Dandy is dedicated to women, girls, and mothers. We are partnering with Oxfam to celebrate International Women's Day and help raise money to support women living in poverty around the world, through raising awareness, through sellers contributing a percentage of takings, and with visitors being able to contribute, too. Look for the Oxfam Balloons and bunting outside!
The Dandy Lion Market is an affordable platform for creative people: all kinds of artists, makers, upcyclers and vintage traders. It is also an affordable market for visitors, too! 90% of sellers are women. The economic climate as it is with fewer jobs, low wages, disappearing childcare, and high priced education has forced many women to turn to their creative talents to make things to sell. While creating provides fulfillment, enjoyment and a small income (hopefully), going to markets to sell our wares also provides inspiration for ourselves and others, a place to share ideas, an appreciative audience who give us feedback on our work and a social hub to meet and make new friends.
The Dandy Lion Market is a regular monthly grassroots event, connected to the local community, while also bringing together many different people from across London, to create a vibrant, creative and friendly space, with something for everyone. The market page is updated constantly and each seller gets a 5 pic feature at the top of the page, with links to their websites. 500+ fans of the page can keep up with sellers wares in the build up to the market day, get updates, interact and make comments, and connect to the wider creative community. The market is a complete event with music, quality food, a full bar and outdoor spaces. Additional features can include workshops, henna or face painting, Holistic remedial sessions, portrait sittings and others. Please see the market page for up-to-date info. 

'Ladyfolk', the March edition of the Dandy Lion Market is celebrating womanhood across the spectrum: from Gaia to glam, from delicate to dark, frivolous or practical, girly delights and trinkets to vintage homewares, folk and spiritual art, alternative and upcycled fashion, accessories and jewelry, healthy body products, colourful, cool, kitsch or crazy, nurturing or empowering; you will find a gift for mum (yes! don't forget Mum's Day is only the next weekend), your best girl or a treat for yourself, something for your feminine and feminist side!

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Some Tips For Starting Out as a Trader at Craft Markets and Fairs

I had an interesting email from someone inquiring about how to become a trader at craft fairs. They said:
"I just came across your email while searching for craft fairs and thought I would contact you and ask if you can tell me how to become a trader at craft fairs.
As craft fairs are a way of bringing my Jewellery and handmade cards to the public... I am hoping you can tell me/ show how to get started.
Any help and info you can afford me will be greatly appreciated.
My apologies for randomly emailing you and asking you for your help. I do hope you dont mind. I'll keep my fingers crossed in hope that you will reply.
With kind regards and wishing you a lovely weekend."


I felt compelled to help and so replied with this. I hope it might be of use to someone else!

A good way to start is to register with various craft fair sites as an exhibitor/seller. A couple to get you started are UKCraftFairs and Handmade-Crafts UK Directory. You will be surprised how quickly you get inquiries. If you are on facebook, there are sites which post events to which you can make enquiries.
Once you establish a space at a market or fair, be professional. Ask any questions you need. Prepare your products, make sure they are clean and tidy, labelled with your co name and priced. Have business cards for people to take away. If you have space a small guestbook for future updates is nice.
Find out the size of your prospective table and prepare a display in advance. Use a nice white cover and small table boxes and shelves to organise and elevate your display. Photograph it and bring along so you know exactly how you will set up. Saves time and makes you look professional from the word go! Prepare a resource bag with spare tags, pen, pins, string, blue tac, stuff that might come in handy.
Try not to eat or use your mobile phone at your stall unless you have to, smile and be friendly to customers, don't pack up early. Those are my tips and I hope they were useful!





Above: My table layout preparation and below, the actual display.