Ideas for Market Stall Display

Hi Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here with a few ideas for market stall display. There's an air of excitement in the run up to Toejam Etsy Market next Saturday, 27th October. Over 20 members of the Crafty Ireland Team are taking part, either in person, or, like myself, through the kindness of others who have agreed to take their items for them.  For some, it will be their first craft market. I hope these ideas are of use:

 TABLE COVERS:

table detail by Ruth of Nice Day Designs

The first and most basic thing is to get a decent cover for your table. Ruth of Nice Day Designs uses a colourful cloth that is suited to the cheerful feel of her products. I use plain white to contrast with my black packaging and display stands. Some sellers prefer an oil cloth or pvc cloth as they are washable and water proof. Others use a sheet or large swathe of material. Whatever you've got, make sure it fits the table and allows you to hide your bags if required.

led light candle

LIGHTING:

You may need to supplement the lighting provided. There might not be a power source to plug in your own lamp so do ask in advance and consider battery lamps or LED lighting. I've successfully used LED candles to brighten darker corners and make the display more inviting. Tanya of Soapiculture says 'I display my bath fizzies, truffles, bombs etc on a cupcake holder - a wire stand. Then I put little battery lit LED lights all around the stand and customers seem rather drawn to it - as it looks pretty.'

LED lights come in various formats and are fairly easy to find online. Veronique of Handmade by Veronique has also sourced some in Ikea.

 Mo of Huggle Knits found some cute, affordable and easy to use lighting from Penneys.

The pre-lit branches couldn't be more seasonal and will brighten up your stall.

I found this petite battery-run bicycle lamp useful for directing a small beam onto something I want to highlight. At under 2 inches long, it is discreet but powerful. I hide it behind a necklace stand  that is on a higher level and direct it at something lower down.

 3D SPACE: 

Your stall is not just a flat table. You are renting the whole 3D space and there are many ways to use it. Heli of Heli Creations and Heli MG makes the best of a tiny table with a custom-made stand that adds height to her stall. An even simpler idea is to create different levels or steps by placing boxes or books under the cloth.

Helen of Strombolitwo explains how she uses two uprights made by her partner '..they get clamped to the table. at the top they have a hole that allows a decent size piece of dowel through, which means that as long as the dowel is a reasonable length it can accommodate any width of the table. The dowel then is used to hang and tie things to and the overhang functions as a rail for about 6- 8 inches each end.'

You are not necessarily limited to the table provided. I am in awe of this handmade wooden table made and used by Stuart of The Wood n Stuff. We don't all have the skill to do this, but it got me thinking you could use, for example, a (clean) bathroom trolley or unused vegetable rack in front or to the side of your table. Ideal for scarves, baby blankets etc!

YOUR IDENTITY:

You don't have to have a banner or sign but it can help draw attention.

 

I love the fact that Brigitte of Purls of Colour made a banner that reflects the style of her unique, hand knit designs.

 Whatever you do, do not forget to bring loads of business cards! If you have branded packaging, include some of it in the display if it looks right.

DISPLAY AIDS & STANDS:

 You can buy cheaply or up-cycle or disguise all sorts of things as props to display your creations.

Last year, Judith of A Box for My Treasure posted this useful tutorial on How to make Jewellery Stands.

Alas, I was in too much of a last-minute-hurry to take up this great advice and convert and old, concetina photo frame into an earrings stand. 

Instead, I turned it around to the back and slapped on my branded labels to display some seaglass pendants. The black back also happened to match my fore-mentioned black packaging so it worked out just fine.

Irish ornaments by Handmade by Amo'r

I picked up a couple of super-cheap chrome mug trees in a discount store for €2 each. They are perfect for showing off jewellery but also ornaments, charms, indeed, anything small that can be hung up.

 Have a rummage around in discount stores, around the house and in granny's attic. Your display is only limited by your imagination.

I started this piece with market-pro Ruth of Nice Day Designs and I'm going to end with her too as she previously wrote two posts that I found invaluable when preparing for markets:
Market Stalls part 1
Market Stalls part 2

Best of luck to all taking part in Toejam & Esty and other markets around the country this season!

The Difference is in the Detail 5

Hello again. Anne-Marie  of Handmade by Amo'r here with the fortnightly focus on those unique details that are special to handmade and original artwork or craftsmanship.

This time round I thought to hone in on our feathered friends as they are always very popular on Etsy:

 

Early Bird Espresso Set, hand illustrated by Per Dozen Design

Bird Beret by By A Thread

Linen Place mats by Sima Prints

 Love Bird Cushion by Sophie Belle Designs

And if you want to get crafty or upcycle something with a  wee birdie or two these may help:

Antique Bronze Bird Spacer Beads by Amazing Beads

Antiques Silver WG Celtic Bird Hook Clasp by Balanced Destash

 For previous posts in the series click HERE

The Difference is in the Detail 4

Hi there! Anne-Marie again with the fortnightly focus on those little details that make handmade, handcraft and OOAK art special:  This week, let's hone in on FLORAL DETAILS:

Flower Flamenco Hoops by Bohemian Hooks Jewelry

Felt Baby Shoes by Puffin Patchwork 

Baby Girl Card by Good Moments

Photographers are usually finely tuned into the detail seen in nature , so here are some macro close ups from a couple of  the team's photograpers:

Flowering Cactus by Art Glamour Sligo

Bright Red Poppy by Cherry Blossom Tattoo

And why not add your own floral details with a little help from Crafty Ireland Team Supplies:

Polymer Clay Buttons by Wild Expression

Blue Paper Roses by Visual Basics

Back in a couple of weeks with more goodies from the Crafty Ireland Team. A wee reminder to tag your items craftyirelandteam if you want to get picked up for such posts and team treasuries etc!

Eyes Open Ireland

Hello Crafty Peeps

This weeks Eyes Open Ireland

is brought to you by Anne-Marie from
 byAMOR

Anne-Marie says.......

Instead of trying to dig up several useable photos of one beautiful place, I thought I’d share a collection of scenes that inspired me this past year.

Though much of my wire work is free form, more structured, geometric shapes often inspire me, particularly circles and spirals. I guess it’s something in the Celtic blood.

Fresh, sea air always clears my head and gets my creativity going.  Sometimes elements of the sea creep into my designs:  undulating wavy lines or starfish charms, for example. Dunlaoire Harbour, South of Dublin, is one of my favourite quick getaways from the city. Here I can breathe and think.

Howth, in North Dublin, is another accessible haven away from the hustle and bustle.  A walk along the pier usually throws up some interesting shapes and textures; lobster pots, old rusty pieces of metal, even brightly coloured moss.

Now that I think of it, I do have quite a lot of green jewellery in my Etsy shop

Connemara Marble Heart Pendant 

The pebble beaches found along the Dublin coast can dig up some fabulous treasures. There’s nothing I find more inspiring than hunting out beautiful pieces of seaglass and pottery. Sometimes it can be hard going and I come away empty handed and disappointed. If there’s been a storm I can get a bountiful haul of pirate treasure that makes it very worthwhile.

My summer holiday to Valencia, Spain, provided me with the rest I needed after a serious slump in creativity. I didn’t find a single piece of seaglass on the beaches, but I did find a few pieces of beachworn tile.

This autumn I donned my hiking boots for the first time in years. Lough Dan in nearby County  Wicklow was breathtaking...in more ways than one! The hill up the forest trail to get there nearly killed me! 

The  lake water is naturally coloured brown from peat in the soil. I made a lot of brown jewellery and green Connemara marble items after this hike. 

In 2012 I intend getting out in the hills more often so I can get fit for an Alpine holiday next year.  Wherever I go, my camera and maybe even a sketch book will come with me.

Great Pictures Anne-Marie

Thank you for sharing with us!

You can see what Anne-Marie has made with some of her finds

in her Etsy Shop

Handmade by Amor



Purple Stone Pendant. Wire Wrapped Jasper Donut. 'Fruit of the Forest'

Full of fab pendants and jewellery made with Irish Gemstones

Check out Anne-Maries blogs
http://amor.craftblog.eu/

http://handmadebyamor.blogspot.com/

And you can follow her on twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/handmadebyAMOR

If you would like to take part in
Eyes Open Ireland

please contact me at my Etsy shop

or email me at

thespiralgoddess@gmail.com

Until Next Time

The Spiral Goddess

To Market To Market. Christ Church Cathedral Trad Fest.

Hi Anne-Marie here wishing you all a Happy New Year! I bring news of an interesting market opportunity this month. Christ Church Cathedral Trad Fest Market 2012 takes place on January 27th and 28th in the heart of Dublin and sounds like a great opportunity for crafters as well as a fun day out.


'After the phenomenal success of last year’s performances by Altan and Clannad, Christ Church Cathedral is again playing the role of headline venue in the Temple Bar Trad Fest. To coincide with performances in the cathedral by iconic band, The Dubliners, on the 27th and 28th January, the cathedral has organised a series of special events including a craft market, story-telling, genealogy, fiddle-making workshops, hot food stalls and even The City Farm in the grounds!

Hot on the heels of the successful Christmas Market, the market will take place in the atmospheric 12th century crypt on Saturday 28th January from 11am-4pm. 12 stalls will be available to rent at a cost of €50 each. Each stall holder will be provided with a 6ft x 2.5ft trestle table and two chairs. The crypt is warm, comfortable and welcoming, and admission will be free to the market!

For more information or to make a provisional booking:
Call: Lesley-Anne on 01 677 8099
Email: lesley-anne@cccdub.ie.'


New to Craft markets? These previous posts by team members may be of use:
How to Market Stalls part 1
How to Market Stalls part 2
Jewellery Display

Fresh 5 on Friday - Christmas Decorations

Today's Fresh 5 comes from Nicola of NicsGifts. She brings us a lovely selection of Holiday Ornaments from the very crafty Etsy Ireland Team!

1. FineFibre - Wishing well Fairies turquoise ornament
www.etsy.com/listing/66051227/wishing-well-fairies-turquoise-ornament?re...


2. PuffinPatchwork - Christmas owl ornaments. Set of 3. Free Shipping.
www.etsy.com/listing/85099614/christmas-owl-ornaments-set-of-3-free?ref=...

3.byAMOR - Beach Glass & Copper Christmas Ornament. Irish Tree Decoration or Pendant
www.etsy.com/listing/85653935/beach-glass-copper-christmas-ornament?ref=...


4. ooakie - ON SALE: Antique 6. Silver Luxury Christmas WINE GLASS CHARMS, ooak.ie, Set of 6
www.etsy.com/listing/33300897/on-sale-antique-6-silver-luxury?ref=v1_oth...


5. FEANOR1 - Christmas wreath white
www.etsy.com/listing/64050552/christmas-wreath-white

If you would like to suggest or curate a Fresh Five on Friday collection of your own, just send me an Etsy convo :)

Crafty Ireland Skills Swap

Sundial Fine Silver Pendant by Ella Green Jewellery

Hi Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here reporting on a successful exchange of crafty know-how. The Skillz Swap Shop was born after an inspiring Dublin meeting back in March this year. The discussion thread gave team members a place to find others willing to exchange skills and knowledge. I've heard that a few team mates have since followed up. Recently I had the fantastic opportunity to meet up with Eimear of Ella Green Jewellery for our own swap.

Eimear (above) offered me an introductory lesson in using PMC (precious metal clay) to make fine silver penants and charms. In exchange I offered help and advice in regard to online selling and her new Etsy shop. I also brought her some gemstones and beads from my stash. I still feel like I came out best in that deal!

The lesson took place at Eimear's home and studio. Though she normally works from her designated office, she had moved everything into the more spacious and airy kitchen.

First she showed me Siligum moulds she had already made from a variety of objects. I set to work pressing some PMC3 clay into them. I used a piece of leather to create interesting texture on the back of this piece.

While leaving the clay to dry on a mug warmer, I answered Eimear's initial queries regarding topics such as shipping rates, Google Analytics and seasonality on Etsy (eg, prepare for Christmas by mid September.)

Eimear then showed me how to cut shapes in the clay using stensils as an alternative to moulds. She used two small, equal piles of playing cards on each side before rolling the clay. This ensures that the clay will roll out evenly. In the picture above I am placing a small flower stensil onto a piece I have rolled out. It was quite a delicate matter getting the flower to land exactly in the middle. (I have to admit I made a bit of a mess cutting around and shaping this flower though....oops!)

Again, the cut-out was left to dry on the mug warmer. While waiting, I showed Eimear how to make an Etsy treasury.

And here is her first team treasury, 'Bye Bye Blues.' (Thanks for the inclusion Eims!)

In the meantime the clay pendants had dried. Next came the real fun as I got to use a butane torch to fire them. I'm afraid we were so caught up in what we were doing that I don't have a decent pic of this in action. This clip from Cooksongold, where I purchased the PMC3, gives you an idea of what it is like. It was so much fun, I'm still not sure if I unleashed the alchemist in me or discovered a disturbing interest in burning things....speaking of which, is that the dinner I smell?

Eimear took me through the follow up stages from soldering on a jump ring, through pickling and quenching to the final stages of brushing and filing. I had to admire her dedication to perfection as she patiently filed away the edges of a pendant.

Meanwhile, I did my best to impart useful advice on pricing and listing her gorgeous jewellery.

Here is my first PMC effort, not perfect, but I love it all the same.

...and the textured back of my second effort. Alas, the dodgy stensiled flower was too embarrassing to show. Methinks I will leave such delicate operations until I am more familiar with the clay.

Eimear often pulls from nature to create elegant jewellery.

I can't wait until I have collected all the tools and equipment to get going! A big thank you to Eimear. The lesson has openend a door to so many possibilities, limited only by my imagination...and that's one thing at least that I have in plentiful supply.

I have a penchant for the asymmetrical and abstract as well as Celtic motifs and sea themes. With precious metal clay I can introduce a new dimension to my designs. I hope Eimear benefits equally from the skills swap.

Ocean Moon by Handmade by Amo'r

The Skillz Swap Shop thread remains open to members of the team. If you have already taken part in a swap session, or plan to, we'd absolutley love to hear about it on the blog!