Markets

Well, the markets were great one day... a complete wash-out the next!

Yep, my first market day at Murarrie State School was wonderful. It was a great, sunny day. I was running late, got off at the wrong off ramp from the Gateway Arterial and then I surprised myself and set up in around 20 minutes. 

I sold a few things, but seeing it was my first market back after 2 years away from the market scene, I knew it was going to take time to warm back into the public's eye.

So, I wasn't surprised when my stall didn't sell that many things.

What surprised me was the amount of retailers who up and left halfway through! At lunch time, a lot of the foodies packed up their gear and took off - in their most busiest of times. I heard through an email, that the organiser was being badmouthed by other retailers while she was within ear-shot of them saying the bad things.

Now... I may have been away for 2 years, but this kind of behaviour does not wash with me. 

No matter how slow or how bad my stall is going at a market, I never bad mouth the organiser - ever! Not only is it bad manners but it's rude to not take up your grievances with them personally.

Well, I was there at the Murarrie State School until around 1:30pm and was one of the last stalls to pack up.


A few weeks later, I was off to the Creative Markets at the Logan Art Gallery just this weekend past and we had a great time setting up. I took some lovely photos of it all... but then the rain came.

At first it wasn't too bad - a shower or two - and then it went away for a while.

The people came and had a look around and we all thought we were in the clear.

But then more rain came and it brought gusts of wind with it! By midday, we were all packed up, drenched to the skin and out of there! 

All my merchandise was wet and I didn't want to finish my hours drenched. Unfortunately, nobody stuck around and Lorna had to tell the gallery that we all took off... what a pity. 

I had to get home, hang up all my table cloths, my clothes and some of my dish cloths too... then get changed and rush back out to the gallery for a shift there that afternoon, at which point it poured rain all afternoon! I was thankful I had hung all my cloths on the clothes horse inside... and not on the clothes line. But at this market, I didn't even make $10.

Oh well, better luck next year when I get myself into the markets better. 

Reorganising Frenzy!

I have my first market coming up on 26th, November (in about 2 weeks this Saturday) and I've been in a frenzy of activity!

Yes, I've been organising my craft stall to go to the Logan Art Gallery. I have to be there an hour before the place opens to set up my stall and have it ready to meet the public - and the place opens at 10am. I hope so.

Anyway, I'm still working on the Book Tree painting and other craft items. I have to get in and finish up some oversized pegs and get them sprayed, glued up with magnets and packaged up and then work on more things that are just to do with image ideas for the market on that day.

Mainly I have to make sure the two new items I have planned do work out properly... well, I hope they do. I have plenty of pin cushions, plenty of picture frames, have to re-wrap my 'Adult's Lucky Dip' (I mean who doesn't love a Lucky Dip?), then I'm hoping to get in and make sure my table looks as inviting as possible; then get in and work on getting my till back up to what it was... that's not going to take long - as I don't carry that much money on me to begin with.

Anyway, that's all the news at the moment. I've updated my website, so go and have look at the new photos and blogs there for the new works I've been doing. Until my next post, keep creating! 

Mama Mia Craft Markets For August

Yesterday, I had a market in a new location at Bulimba. This was good because it had more foot traffic and bad because the last time I tried to find it - via the GPS - it took me over an hour to get my butt home.  That stupid GPS took me all over Brisbane before getting me back on the highway.

Damned thing!

Anyway, I digress.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for the markets and I'm happy we had such great weather for what we did. The outdoor stalls had plenty of room to spread out, there was shade as well from the trees and we had more adults coming than children - which is always a plus.

However, parking was a real hassle. I had to park far away; which didn't bother me during the day, but when the market finished at 6pm, it was dark and I had to walk to my car in that darkness. At 5pm, the police came out and booked anyone parked even an inch onto the yellow lines around the place (which thankfully wasn't me) and they didn't wait for you to move your car, they just did it quickly. One of the retailers said he'd never seen a cop pounce so fast in all his life!

But we did have a good time networking and talking - even if we didn't sell many goods; due to being in a new location. A lot of the locals did say that it was about time a craft market came to the area; and some of them wondered if it was going to stick around. I hope we get to that place as a regular thing; as the locals hope too.

We did have some teething problems with setting up - as you always do in a new place - but they were cleared up by the organiser. Her friend, and helper, there came up and handled my gear without clearing with me first; shoving things against the wall and pushing my back table (where I put my cashbook, calculator and hide my water and food away from people normally) into the dressing room, saying I didn't need it, when I did - otherwise I wouldn't have brought it with me.  Of course I defended myself and the organiser came to see what was going on and backed me, advising her helper not to just grab a retailer's belongings without asking first; especially when they've begun setting up. 

So, after all those hours, we all networked, chatted and lived through that earthquake - which had no affect on any of us - and then we packed up and went home.  It was a very exhausting day and I took a little under $20... oh well, next time will be better. Until my next post, keep creating.

Moving On In A Cold Snap

Brisbane is going through a cold snap and I've been very active in my creativeness over that time... and before it too.

However I'm also not well; having come down with the cold/flu that's doing the rounds at this time of year.  Yep, I burnt myself out after 6 months of being on the go without a good rest and caught the first cold that I came up against... oh yay, how fun.

Oh well, it happens to the best of us, and it's just our bodies telling us to slow down.

But I've worked on and finished that large piece of work for my bedroom and it's looking great.  My neighbours who leave their light on unintentionally have yet to do just that to see if it does work out... but I do believe I have this little problem kicked and I'll be able to sleep a full night with a lovely painting on my wall. 

Anyway, I've been taking care of myself with this cold and the worst of it is over... except the cough, which is making me sound like a foghorn, but it'll go away soon too.

Over the last few days, I've been sanding down more photo frames to paint up for the next few markets, looking at working on more pegs, coat hangers and wrapping up more stock for the Lucky Dip for the next market so more stock gets moved on... yep, I'm hoping to get in and work on more things sooner.  Anything not sold in the market in September, is going to be in the Lucky Dip for October.

It seems as though I'm going to be busy, but I'm not really, it's just working out what will sell, what won't and how much wrapping paper to buy at the $2.00 store. So, how has your creativeness be going? Better than mine I hope!  Until my next post, keep creating!

A Busy Time

The last few weeks have been crazy. 

Honestly, it has.

I have had markets to prepare for and writer's block to contend with - damned thing! - and then I found a very cool chair in my unit complex; and I mean it's retro!

So, I took it to my folk's house and refurbished it!  It took me about a week and I loved getting to know it.  And seeing it wasn't all that aged, Dad helped with the sander - a tiny little one - which worked hand in hand with the hand-sanding, I found the work just moved smoothly.

Anyway, before I knew it, my chair was off to the upholsterer's at Slacks Creek where I picked out a fabric and they took 2 weeks to get it done... now? Well, it arrived home last Thursday; and I haven't had any time to get to know my chair.

It's sitting here in my office waiting for me to snuggle into it... and isn't it the most lovely Reading Chair you're ever likely to see?

Anyway, the Murarrie Mini-markets were on yesterday and even though there were lots of stalls, not many people showed up.  So, not many of us made as many sales as we had hoped. There were three factors working against us: the long weekend, the Life Line Book Fest and the Scrapbook and Craft Show in the city... yeppers, they were all working against us; as people were either in the city or taking off out of the city to have that great long weekend either down the coast or up the coast.  Either way, nobody wanted to go to a craft market this weekend...

Oh well... there's always next time. 

Until my next post, keep creating!

Busy Working On A New Line for Crafty Pegs

Yes... I've been busily working on a new lot of things to sell at the Creative Markets for people to buy.  I'm hoping to get my customers interested in purchasing photo frames, Mega-Pegs and other such things all prettied up, wrapped up and ready to sell by the end of next month.

Also by the end of next month, I'll have a new small table to add to my set-up with a smallish suitcase I'm hoping to purchase from Brighton.  During August I'm visiting my brother and his girlfriend and there's a place not far from their house which sells vintage furniture and wares; and I'll be getting the suitcase from there.  

Anyway, I'm working on these things and my writing and other arty things around the house.  I'm also working on cleaning out my place too - still! - and it's going quite well.

So, what have you been working on lately?  A lot?  A little?  Is there anything creative you've begun and want to share, or is it still on the drawing board?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Creative Minds

I've been very busy over the last few weeks... and have forgotten to write here.

But since my last post, I've acquired my own set of wheels!  Yep, Mum's Pajero is gone and I have a car that is cheaper to run in its place.  It's so much fun to work with and I've done the Creative Markets with it already too.

However, I've been working on getting myself to art stores lately to buy some more mat spray varnish.  And seeing the Garden City store of Riot Art is currently closed, the one at the Hyperdome is the one I've been going to instead for my supplies.

Then, there's cheap stores I've been going to get my magnets too - which only cost me $2.00 for 10... so I grab about 6 packets if they have them.  Otherwise, I'll get these magnets at the Riot Art Store at the Hyperdome instead.  It's further to go, but if I don't, I don't have the supplies to work with.

I have more coathangers than I know what to do with, and I've had a suggestion of painting door stops from Mum to sell.  I'll be looking into these for the next market; and buying the blank ones from Bunnings.  However for now, I'll see how I go with what I have now.  

It's now a week before the next Creative Markets - which are on 25th, May - and I'm relaxing and taking it easy.  I'm reading books, cleaning up and listening to music while I'm writing this.  However, I'm also thinking about what else I can do to make my market stall better.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Easter Coming Up

The weather is changing and I've been working on new designs and other things for the Creative Markets this month.  I'm looking forward to them; and hopefully I'll have as much fun as I've been having over the last few times.

This month I've been more relaxed and working a little less, however there's a good reason for that.  I've had to go off to my optometrist to get myself another set of glasses for close-up work.  He saw the kind of work I've been doing and said it's a good idea to get myself a pair for what I'm doing; instead of straining my eyes.

So, there's that.

I've also been back to Bunnings and looking at getting a clothes line and a basket to make my Crafty Pegs stall more authentic-looking.  It didn't cost me much, but it'll look a lot more peggy and fun now.

So, what have you been up to lately?  A lot of fun stuff or just kicking back and enjoying the cooler/warm weather?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Been Busily Creative

I've been busy and haven't had time to blog.

Must apologise for this.

However, I have some great news!  I'm a permanent member of the retailers at the Creative Market!  Yay!  How cool is that?  Very cool, if I do say so myself!  I was called 'The Peg Lady' by almost everyone I talked to at the end of March, and I was also told that I pushed out the last peg lady... I didn't mean to, but I took all her other customers.

Well... I have been busily working on other things since the markets.  I pulled apart the Sprung Pegs and put them into their own set collections of all vine flowers or dotty flowers or inverted dots or all squares, and will see if they sell next month.  

And just today - while I was at Bunnings - I got a great idea.  I bought a real clothes peg basket for $5.40 and a 24 meter length of white clothes line to string up on my stall so I could hang up my pegs all along the table... show people what they could hang up with my pegs.  Pretty cool, eh?

Also today, I was off to the optometrist.  I had to get myself fitted up for a pair of glasses for close-up work.  Graeme saw the kind of work I do and thought it was a good idea I came in and saw him for a new set of specs for my kind of detailing work... so my eyes were feeling like they were hanging out of my head all the time.  Besides, my reading glasses aren't designed for this kind of work; but the ones he's ordered for me are.  And he's thrilled I've created a job for myself - and he liked my Facebook page of Crafty Pegs too!  Very cool!

Anyway, what have you been up to?  I've got about a week before I can use my new glasses with my work - and not feel like my eyes are always tired.  And yes, I'll show you what my new specs look like too; they're very pretty.  Until my my next post, keep creating!

Who Wants Bon-Bons?

Yep.... sounds like a whole new kinda crazy, but you read it right.  

I was falling asleep at around 1am the other night when an idea flashed under my lids... it was pretty, it was cute... it was Magna-Peg Bon-Bons!  I painted up 6 pegs of the one design - different colours - and attached them to some cardboard in the shape of the centre of a Christmas Bon-Bon!  then, I wrap this centre piece in celophane, tie gold or silver tie around the ends and there you have it!

A Magna-Peg Bon-Bon! 

I've made one ... and it was a great success!  So, I'll be working on making more for this month's Creative Markets and see how they'll sell.  And the price?  Well, $8.00 each... they'll be adorable enough to take off I think. 

Otherwise, I've been working on coathangers, new storage and getting my butt into working on other things for the market, to make things easier for myself.  Money's been a little tight this week, but next week, I'll be okay.  So, what have you been up to in your creative arts?  Until my next post, keep creating!

This Week of Work

It's been a busy week of work for Crafty Pegs.  I've had plenty of ideas running through my head and they've worked out in the last few days of this past week.

On Thursday, I bought some treated pine at Bunnings and dowel and went to Mum and Dad's place to run past my Dad an idea to make a display rack for my new product of painted coathangers.  I had two done up for last month's markets, but this month, there will be more.

At first, I suggested we make a coat rack-like thing, but Dad said that it would fall over, even if we tried to make it as light as possible because the feet would have to be out wide.  So, we had to sit down and figure out another possibility; and came up with two stands that worked out a treat!

When I got home that night, I painted up the stands as much as I could and then got in and did some serious work on the my coathangers.  Right now, I have four all wrapped up and ready to sell; with another four in the process of being half-painted.  I just have to put designs on them and I'll varnish them, wrap them and they'll be ready to sell too for $10 each or two for $15.  Until my next post, keep creating.

An Arty Week!

This week, I'm tired; very tired.

But there's a good reason for it.  I've been busy and today has been my first day off to sit down and pretty much do nothing much but paint.

Sunday's Creative Market was small but I made $21.50.  I don't really count the rent on my stall as I've paid it 3 weeks previous, and it's been paid out of another account.  However, not for long.  My sub-account for that will be my main account to be using for the rent and my float and rent will be coming out of that.
Anyway, the Creative Markets were down by 12 stalls this time around unfortunately.  However I was told by other retailer that this isn't anything out of the ordinary when it comes to the beginning of the year, it will pick up when the Markets get going again next month.

I had my lovely little stall working well and quite a few of my friends showed up to see what I had on sale.  Mum showed, but Dad didn't.  Geoff Treagus - a friend of mine - showed but he didn't have any money on him.  And three ladies from the Queen Bees Craft Group showed too.  They were really impressed with my little stall, but they wondered why the markets themselves were so small.  I said that next month will be better.

Yesterday, I went to Garden City and bought some more paint for a commission I had been asked to do by a neighbouring retailer.  She asked me to paint up 24 Crafty Pegs for her in Zig-Zag partial pattern for her in burgendy and silver on mauve.  Very pretty.  I'm halfway through the commission and needed more paint.  I also had to buy some more string for the Cool Pencils so I thought to go for gold and silver so that they looked good when on display - eventually.  

So, what have you been doing lately?  Do let know as we'd love to know about your progressing arts here as you know about mine.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Slow Down Week A Good Idea

This week has been a good idea.

I've had time to think about what other things would make my stall at the Creative Markets better.  What little things would make it stand out, what details would make my life easier there for the day.  And how I could easily make my display pop!

Just last week, I bought another card table.  This one is going to be for wrapping things from the display table.  I'm not going to have plastic bags with me this time, no... I'm using the good, old-fashioned paper lunch bag.  Last week, Mum and I put our heads together and I said to her that I've been looking into getting myself a rubber stamp with 'Lynda's Crafty Pegs' on it for the craft markets.  I'd stamp it on the paper bags and it'd look all very retro and old-school.
Well!  She thought that was fantastic!  I told her that people at the last market told me about the bagging people at Rocklea and I had checked them out online, but the companies were far too expensive.  So, I thought to go cheap, but not nasty, and give people something they could relate to... and remember having when they were young - and what better way to go but the old paper lunch bag you used to have you tuckshop money put into when you went to school?  

Earlier in the week, I bought another card table from Bunnings.  I was thinking of taking my craft table along with me, but it was too much bother packing up everything and storing it in the car overnight.  So, I bought another one - what harm was it going to do?  None.  
I picked out a different coloured table and made sure it fitted in my storage facility and then threw out the box.  Otherwise, I've been working on the small detail stuff... I've been getting together the doilies, the extra table cloth, making sure all the rest of the stock is wrapped and ready.  I've marked the boxes I'm taking with me to the markets.  I'm even going to buy extra milk on the way home on Saturday so all I have to do is buy a paper on the way to the markets... there's no running around.  I also have to make sure I have enough veggies with me to make a slow-cooker stew on Saturday afternoon/night for Sunday's dinner.  I know that sounds like an overkill; but last time, I didn't feel like cooking - so this time I won't either.

And I'm excited about the markets this time - whereas I was terrified last time.  I have the right tables, the right gear, the right prices... the right everything... it's been a great learning experience and I'm happy I've tried it out and like it.  And Mum is excited that I'm doing something I like too; that it's something I enjoy and that I'm not giving up all because I made next to nothing last time.  This time, I have some new things people may like which are going to be surprises; and that's going to be the fun part.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Busy Saturday... Next Week? Slow Down.

Today, I woke to my alarm and didn't want to get out of bed... yeah, I had a late night.  Really shouldn't have, but I did.

Next weekend is the Creative Markets and so I thought to get in today and do my last varnishing day.  I painted up a second coathanger and a few more pegs, then I jumped in and spray varnished everything in the varnishing box.
It didn't take long, but I did tick off a few neighbours with the slight smell the spray varnish puts off.  However, I can't help that.  The wind wasn't strong and it was quite hot, so everything dried in record time... thank goodness.

Anyway, I'm happy it's all done.  I can catch up on sleep, put away everything and organise my tables, and work on getting it all done up for the day.  

This next week, I'm expecting something in the mail.  Mum offered to help me out with the ordering and purchase of a rubber stamp.  She ordered it in and yesterday and I'm totally stoked that it may arrive before the day of the market!  Yay!  It'll be 'Lynda's Crafty Pegs' stamp for my paper bags that I've bought... which are just ordinary brown paper lunch bags.  Yep, I've decided to keep it very retro and plain and basic; keep my costs as low as possible so my artwork speaks for itself.

Well, I hope to you see you guys there - who can make it.  Sunday 23rd, February.  9am - 1pm.  Springwood State School, Logan City.  It's the Creative Markets... until my next post, keep creating.

Busy Week - Especially Today

Today, I was hoping it would be a good, slow day of catching up with the small stuff.

I was wrong.

Instead, there was a lot of small stuff, but really it was just fiddly crap I didn't like dealing with, and other stuff I needed to do before the Creative Markets started up again this year.

So, I was out the door before 10am and off to Logan Central Plaza to Go Fabrics where I bought 4 metres of white polycotten to make a throw for displaying the little jugs this month.  I'll reuse the fabric to display the coathangers next month or so that I'm working on; so that won't go to waste.

Anyway, I was off to the Op Shop around the corner to collect a book for an overseas thing I was doing online with Bookcrossing.com.  This didn't take long, but I did get chatting to the lady there.

Once I was back on the road, I headed to Springwood, where the really fiddly bits started for me.  First:  the bank.  I had to get some money out.  Second:  Sam's Warehouse for a box.  Third: the doctor's to drop off a cheque from Medicare.  Then, I was off to Coles where I bought some chocolate and then I was off to Mum and Dad's house after running into some of ladies from Queen Beez Craft Group.  We chatted for a while, and then we went on our way.  

While at Mum and Dad's, I told Mum that I really wanted to get myself a stamp to put on the paper bags I had bought last pay - to make it look cool.  She thought it was a nice idea.  So, she looked up the stamp company she used when she worked at Mt Gravatt Primary School and then we made a plan about the stamp and she called for me, and we had to wait for an e-mail with a quote.  

Not lot ago, we got the e-mail and between us, over the phone, we both talked it out on what the stamp should look like and found it was going to look great.  Well, I hope so... it's just going to be a plain old rubber stamp where I'll need a stamp pad and ink (these two things I can get from Officeworks; easy!) and so I'll be more into the markets than last year... I can't wait!

Three weeks to go before the first Creative Markets on 23rd, February at Springwood State School.  9am - 1pm.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Preparation Is The Key

My brother was a boy scout.

Really he was.  But he didn't stick it out and become anything like one of their leaders or a Den Leader or anything like that... he was just a boy scout.  But he did teach me the most important thing about being scout:  Be Prepared.

And that is something I'm doing just a little under a month from the first Creative Markets of the year.  Yep, I've begun to really knuckle down and work hard at preparing my stall for what it will look like next month by working on it now; well before the stall even gets set up.

Today, I went out and bought two business card holders from Officeworks for $2.99 each.  They're black mesh metal business card holders which will make my cards more likely to look better and more interesting to customers.  I also have bought a bigger plastic 6 litre box for the stuff that's going to go on the table and easel which will make my stall look good.  I don't want to be running to and from the car for box after box for this and that; so one box with all the gear in it will do.
I'll have two boxes of stock if I have to and then, the easel, small tressel table and my soft esky and chair.  It won't be much, really.

The best thing I've done is creat an event on Facebook and invited all my friends on there - even the ones overseas - so they all know when, where it is and what time it starts and finishes and how to get there (yep, it's got a map there too) and then, they can come if they can fit it into their weekend.  

Now, all I have to do is work on my stock and make sure I have everything all ready to sell.  I can't wait to start up the Creative Markets again, it'll be so much fun.  Until my next post, keep creating.

So Much Work For My Love of Pegs

Over the last few weeks, I've been working hard on painting my pegs, pencils and making magnets.  I've also been offered some tiny little jugs to decorate by Linda Fountain; they have turned out to be great little things!

My next go at The Creative Markets this year is next month, 23rd, February actually, from 9am until 1pm.  I'll have a 2x2m stall this time, as I found a 3x3m stall a little too big for my needs. 

Anyway, since my last post, I've gone out and bought a small tressle table, 3mt of Calico and found some fabric I bought a few years ago that I thought would go well as a table cloth.  I hemmed up the Calico and am using the lovely, silky Rayon with a lovely red and white pattern on it.  I had bought around 3 metres of it then another 2 metres and still didn't buy enough of it to make a skirt and little shawl combo... and by the time I wanted to get more, they didn't make it anymore.  So, I was stuck with this fabric; until now.

Now, I have this lovely red and white speckled table cloth.  I want to do more and put together a set of shelves for the jugs... but I might just little boxes for them and throw doilies on them instead or some leftover Calico over them and make them look good with the Doilies - now that sounds good!

Anyway, I'm up to my ears in ideas, as you can see, and there's still a few weeks to go until the Creative Markets at Springwood State School.  And this time, I'm more relaxed about it as I know what to expect from them, I know what's expected out of me, and I know how to work my wares as well.  The best thing is that I'll have a smaller stall and it'll be more enjoyable for me, and I'll be able to keep an eye on everything better too.

So, there you have it:  less than a month out from the Creative Markets, and I'm working out even more ideas than I know what to do with!  But I'm loving how this is all going.  So, how's your creative processes going?  Is your creative world in a great spin?  Or are you working on something great?  Do tell!  Until my next post, keep creating!

Creative Markets... Here I Come!

Yep!  I've put my name down for every month this year for the Creative Markets so if you'd like to come to see my wares, you're most welcome.

My stall will be at the Springwood Creative Markets, which are on the last Sunday each month.  They start at 9am and go until 1pm.  I'll be having a Discount Box every second month for those who would love to find a great bargain, and the prices in that box start at just .50c!  How cool is that!  

So, if you'd like to come and see my Crafty Pegs, Cool Pencils and Magna-Pegs, you're most welcome to - and you might find a bargain too - at the Creative Markets... the first ones are at the end of February; that's where the first Discount Box will be!

Until my next post, keep creating!

All Prepared For Christmas!

I'm all ready for the Christmas Holiday season... what?  Christmas presents?  Nah, I don't mean those (but yeah, I bought all those and they're all wrapped under the tree ready to be ripped open on the day better known as 'The Orgy of Greed' to my family).  What I'm talking about is my craft supplies.

This week, I've spent that little bit more money on my supplies to make sure I don't have go anywhere to buy any supplies... and I mean, if I do, it'll only to get dolly pegs and that's it (Yep, they haven't arrived from the UK yet... that idjit hasn't heard of air mail... he sea mailed the damned things!).  
So, yesterday, I was up Garden City doing some last minute Christmas shopping and I needed to get some dolly pegs and bought myself a tub of gold paint.  Okay, sure, I have 3 tubes of gold paint, but they're on the lighter side now I've used a good lot of them... so I've decided to get myself a tub of the paint to cover all my bases.

Today, I was off to check the mail, put money onto my load&go card and then check on Mum and Dad's house for mail, any parcels that might show up and then off to the chiropractors.  However, on my way to those places, I went to the FDB's and scored myself 30 magnets - at $2.00 for 10 that's a great deal - and a roll of cellophane - which was also $2.00 a roll.  So for under $10, I have enough supplies to see myself through until the markets next February... yay!  I can't wait until I have it all sorted.

So, what are you getting up to this holiday season to prepare and keep yourself creating until the school holidays are over?  Do tell!  Until my next post, keep creating!

The Creative Markets!

5:45am:

I was woken by my alarm.  I didn't want to get up, but I did.  The morning was nice and cool.  It had been raining only about a half hour before, and it looked like it was going to be a rainy day.

6:40am:

I had eaten breakfast, put on make-up, loaded up the car with my goodies, packed my lunch, bought a litre of milk (yeah, I drink that much in a day) and then bought a paper and was off to the Springwood State School. 
The roads were clear.  It was such an easy drive... and I forgot to buy some tissues, so I went to the 7/11 down the road from the school and bought a travel pack.  Ironically, I didn't need them.

By the time I arrived at the school, it was just on 7am.

7:30am:

I was set up, put all my boxes, excess stock to the back of my stall and opened my green chair.  I had an hour to kill before the Creative Markets actually opened.  So, I took some business cards and walked around to some of the other people's stalls to see what they were selling.  There's some very talented people out there... 

8:45am:

People started coming in dribs and drabs.  By 9am, the place was filled with stall owners and customers.  I had a few people walking and looking at my stuff, but not buying yet... then they'd come back with their kids and they'd buy something.  When the kids didn't like the prices of the pencils, I made them a deal and made a quick sale... they walked away happy.  So did their folks.

10am:

Kellie Smith came to my stall and had a quick look-see.  She loves my work!  She picked out some pegs and sprung pegs too and was my first sale of the day!  She was amazed at the detail work that went into the designs!  

11:30am: 

My feet were killing me.  I was on my second home-made ice coffee (and boy did I need it!) and Vivienne Treagus showed up with Little Miss Zoe in tow... they were wonderful to see!  Vivienne bought some pencils and a couple of magnets and then went away to give Zoe some lunch.  But they returned to sit with me for the rest of the time until 1pm.

12:20pm:

The crowds came in waves - I found.  So there were rest times of around 5 - 10 minutes at a time... this is good.  But I was told by some of the stall owners that sometimes, it's more hectic... while other times, there's no sales at all.  
Then, my folks come through the crowd that was there.  Dad first, then Mum.  They had driven up from Brunswick Heads to collect the boat and take it back down there.  They were so proud of me and Dad said I looked tired; but it must be fun doing this kinda thing.  

12:56pm:  I pack up in 3 minutes... seriously!  So did everyone else.  Mum had walked away 6 minutes ago, came back and I was packed up!  She was stunned!  Dad was a great help with carrying a few things out to the car for me, so I didn't have to carry them out in two trips.

Summary of the Creative Markets:

I had a great time.  It was under cover, so we didn't have to worry about getting sunburnt or the weather.  But it was very humid as the multi-purpose shelter we were using wasn't designed to let in much air.

I made enough money to cover my $55 rent on my spot.  Otherwise, I made $3.00 profit after that... which isn't bad seeing it's my first time.  

I've decided to have another go there at Springwood in February when the Creative Markets come back next year... I'll have more stock, more variety and more designs to choose from.