Crafty News Desk

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk. 
This weeks picture was taken near my house this morning, watching some crows building a nest.  Its amazing how instinctive they are with putting it together....the craftsmanship.....

Not a lot of news this week of upcoming events from our members so I only have a few items that might be of interest to some of you. 

Have you heard about Simon the Travelling Gecko?????  You must "READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.... SIMON

News in from Brigitte from  purlsofcolour of a a big Craft Fair in Belfast this week.  Details here  --  www.sccshows.co.uk/belf_apr11_1702.html   She is going on Thursday with Maura from  IrishBounty  so if anybody from the team is going up there on Thursday as well, let her know for a meet up.  You can contact the girls though their shops.   Sounds like a good day out.

I came across this notice today that some of you might be interested in   . . . . "I am looking for one sculptor, one print maker, and one painter (all experienced, teaching experience a distinct advantage,) to design and run two consecutive Saturday morning practical (2 x 2.5 hour) workshops each in Dublin 2, from September. Total of 5 hours work per tutor. Fee 250 euro. Please send workshop outline for the 5 hours, samples of your work, CV and cover letter to adriennegeoghegan@gmail.com"

Stag & Deer are looking for photographers whose work has an interest in the home/domestic setting. "We are looking for work that is a meditation on home life and what that may be. The work will be included in a group show entitled “Home” which will be part of the PhotoIreland Festival happening in Dublin during July 2011.  The theme for “Home” is built around the domestic and the structure of life within a home; the physical nature of the interior and exterior, human interactions and relations, memories, possessions, etc. Home is many things, banal and everyday but always of the utmost importance. We all experience moments within our individual contexts of home or family, but do not necessarily share them beyond the physical construct of our own household setting.  If you are interested in submitting for “Home” then please send 6 examples of work (No larger than 450k), a brief description of the work and a small biography to staganddeer@gmail.com.   Please note that the deadline for submissions is Wednesday 20 April 2011. "    www.staganddeer.com

New Farmers Market in Athboy, Co Meath - Sundays 11 -2pm   
"We have established a new farmers market in Athboy, Co. Meath.   This follows on from the tv show, Dirty Old Towns with Diarmuid Gavin, which was filmed last sunday, and is due for screening towards end of April.   We have the capacity for approx 50 stalls.  For more information, Contact: Brian Andrews  Email: athboystables@gmail.com or call: 087 8173325"
 
If you have any late news for this week please add the details to the comments at the end.
 
Thats about it for now.  Hope you all have a good week.  Dont forget to get your info for next weeks report out on Monday
 
Cheers
Mo
HUGGLEKNITS

Crafty News Desk

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk. 
This weeks photo is of a determined briar that is growing though the back wall of our garden .... what PERSISTENCE - good word for us all in these recessionary times.

As part of our look at the Provinces I will be taking a stroll through MUNSTER this week.  No doubt I will only be touching the surface.  If you have anything to add please let me know and I can update the list or you can add your info to the comments at the end of this article.


Munster is made up of 6 counties i.e. : Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
A quick look at Etsy shows the following number of active shops in each county.
Clare (3), Cork (24), Kerry (5), Limerick (8), Tipperary (4) and Waterford (4)  total of 48   Big wave to you all in Munster ......


Some local links of interest
Clare : Clare Crafts Association  Assoc
Cork : West Cork Guild Guild 
Cork :  Stone Sculpting course Sculpting
Cork : textile intitiative Souvenir
Cork : Cork City Arts Arts
Cork:  Textile Exhibition and also 2-day textile festival  Cork Textiles
Kerry : news from Kerry Co Co. Kerry Co Co news
Kerry : Story of Irish Lace Exhibition and Seminar Lace
Kerry : Glass info Glass
Limerick : Milk Market Market
Limerick : Quilting retreat next weekend Retreat
Tipperary : craft classes Class
Tipperary : showcase crafts
Waterford : craft info studio

General links :
Craft Council of Ireland http://www.ccoi.ie/
Year of Craft site http://www.craftinireland.com/
Craft events http://www.craftinireland.com/
Business partnerships http://www.businesstoarts.ie/

Other news:

• Geraldine from LittleSnippets has been in touch with news of a great giveaway for Spring on her blog, well worth a look here ..... SPRING 
• How are you all getting on with the St Patricks Day Treasure Hunt???? 

Thats about it for this week.  Next week we have a look at Dublin.  All items for inclusion should be in with me by Sunday evening at the latest.
Have a good week
Cheers
Mo
http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com/

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk.....

I can almost hear the sewing machines, knitting needles, jewelers pliers, glue guns, paint brushes and various crafting machines going at full steam as our Crafty Ireland Team members busy themselves making wonderful items for sale at the cornucopia of Craft Markets going on all over Ireland.

Latest Christmas Market news:

Marlay Craft Fair - 27th to 28th November 2010 - Marlay House, Dublin 16 (in Marlay Park)

Mandi from designbirdie and little ole me from huggleknits are just 2 of the team who will be in attendance. 

Call by and say hello - with me in Huggleknits you can get your hands on some knit and crochet accessories, greeting cards, the new Cozifone sleeve for your i-phone as well as knitting needles, wool, notions and beads to get you started on a new crafty passion.......  Are there any others from the team in Marlay? do let me know at the end of this articles so we can call and see you ....

28 November - Market Square, Bundoran Co Donegal
To book a table, email emma_m_corry@hotmail.com   or text/call 0851482304. Just let me know your name, your business name and the type of goods you will be selling if you are new!

4th December  - The Christian Brothers School, Carlow

Anybody interested in having a craft stall on the day can contact carlowspca@live.ie   or 0857225544/0873235947.

All proceeds will go directly to the welfare of the animals.

5 December - St. Michael’s Community Centre, Inchicore, Dublin 8.

Tables €25.00 payable in advance.

For application forms please contact Deirdre Coffey on 0863632462 or 01-4548329

4-5 December St. David’s Secondary School’s, Greystones, Co Wicklow

For further information on the event or stalls, please contact Veronica at 086 350 4997 or email stdavidsfair@gmail.com

And now for the running list . . . . .

November
26-28 Marley Park, Dublin
27 Ennis
27 Christchurch, Dublin
28 Ardee
28 Ranelagh, Dublin
28 Wicklow town
28 Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
December
4 ChristChurch Dublin
4 Christian Brothers School, Carlow
4-5 Bray
4-5 Drogheda
4-5 Dublin Zoo
5 Inchicore, Dublin 8
5 Dunboyne
5 Slane
5 Adare
5 Punchestown
10-11? Westport
11 ChristChurch, Dublin
11 Letterkenny
11-12 Russborough House, Wicklow
11-12 Dublin Zoo
11 Glasnevin
12 Athboy
12 Leopardstown, Dublin
12 Loughrea
12 Souk, Belfast
15-19 Clonmee, Co Longford
18 ChristChurch Dublin
18-19 Dublin Zoo
19 Castleblayney
19/20 University Concert Hall Limerick

That's it for another week.  Good luck to all with the rush for Christmas crafting.  Hope it goes well for all of you.  Don't forget to keep in touch.
Cheers
Mo
huggleknits

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk
(this weeks photo is of some summer memories - colours to soothe)

How are you all doing?  So many markets going on - how is business?  Are people buying for Christmas yet?  Are any of you out next weekend?  If so, why not put where in the comments - we would love to go and say hello.......

News in this week from Mary from fuchia of an unusual market opportunity coming up in CLONMEE ,LANSBORO, CO LONGFORD
on 15 Nov-19 Dec,12 noon-7pm daily ...that's right from now until 19 December.  A lady is opening up her house to exhibit approx 20 crafters items.  Ann is selling for the crafters with help from as many people that offer. All the money from the sales go to the crafters. She just asked for 15 euro each towards advetising which will be extensive in the area.  If you would like any information on this amazing offer contact Mary at her shop or ring Ann on 0433325049.  Good luck to all concerned - we would love to hear at the news desk how it goes.

Another series of markets coming up in Dublin Zoo to coincide with their Christmas family event "Breakfast with Santa".  It will be held over the following three weekends, 4/5th, 11/12th and 18/19th of December. The event is fully sold out, 360 tickets per day sold and the market will be accessible to the Zoo's regular weekend visitors also. The market will run from 10am until 3.30pm each day. The cost for a pitch is €300 for the entire six days. Ideally they would like vendors to commit to the full six days for consistency reasons, but can be flexible if that doesn't suit.  Vendors will need public liability insurance and be able to provide they're own marquee/stand. The market will be outdoors. 
If any of your members are interested or need more info, contact Conor Tobin at 087 060 9479.

And now for the running list.......
November
19-20 Cookstown, Co Tyrone
20 Gardiner St. Dublin
20 Tournafulla, Co Limerick
20/21 Bunratty
21 Bray
26-28 Marley Park, Dublin
27 Ennis
27 Christchurch, Dublin
28 Ardee
28 Ranelagh, Dublin
28 Wicklow town
28 Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
December
4 ChristChurch Dublin
4-5 Bray
4-5 Drogheda
4-5 Dublin Zoo
5 Dunboyne
5 Slane
5 Adare
5 Punchestown
10-11? Westport
11 ChristChurch, Dublin
11 Letterkenny
11-12 Russborough House, Wicklow
11-12 Dublin Zoo
11 Glasnevin
12 Athboy
12 Leopardstown, Dublin
12 Loughrea
12 Souk, Belfast
15-19 Clonmee, Co Longford
18 ChristChurch Dublin
18-19 Dublin Zoo
19 Castleblayney
19/20 University Concert Hall Limerick
 
Thats it for another week.  Busy, Busy, Busy - - Good luck with all the work
Do keep in touch.
Cheers
Mo

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk.
In this week's photo I am sharing the last summer strawberry from my garden with you. All we need now is some cream...mmmm!

~~~~~
Loads of activity on the blog in the last week. Love the Treasury Challenge and also the Handmade Gift Guide..... oh we have such amazing crafters in the group.

~~~~~
Latest news on upcoming Christmas Markets to add to our list:

Sunday 5th December Christmas Fair at the Castle from 12- 5pm Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, Dunboyne, Co.Meath Cost €50 per stand – Pre Paid. Cheques made payable to Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa.
If interested please email Joanne Quirke jquirke@dunboynecastlehotel.com with the following details:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Contact Details:
Phone No: E-mail Address:
Type of Product which will be on display/for Sale on the day:
For any queries contact Joanne Quirke – 01 6816529 or 086 8660262

~~~~~
The Holy Trinity National School, Leopardstown is holding it’s first Christmas Fair on Sunday 12th December. We’re looking for Christmas themed crafts & products.
Contact susanlynch18@hotmail.com if you’re interested in taking a stand.


~~~~~
WEST LIMERICK BOWLS CLUB ARE HOLDING AN INDOOR CHRISTMAS ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET ON SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2010, FROM 11AM -4PM AT HALLA TADHG GAELACH (COMMUNITY HALL) TOURNAFULLA, CO.LIMERICK.
CONTACT JILL ON 0834355635. PRICE OF A STALL IS 8 EUROS

~~~~~
Clare Crafts Christmas Fairs - 2010
Nov 14th Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, Co.Clare
Nov 20th & 21st Bunratty Hotel Bunratty. Co. Clare
Nov 27th (Sat) The Holy Family Hall, Ennis Co. Clare
Dec.5th Woodlands Hotel Adare, Co. Limerick
Dec 12th Lough Rea Hotel Loughrea, Co. Galway
Dec 19th & 20th (Sun & Mon) University Concert Hall Limerick
All fairs are from 11am to 5 pm, except UCH which starts at 12noon
ALL CRAFTS SOLD AT OUR FAIRS ARE 100% IRISH MADE
Free admission to all our fairs.
Any queries contact Karen English on 087 7439198

~~~~~
Market Square Shopping Centre’s next Craft Fair in conjunction with Glamour Girl & Little Angels’ first anniversary.
Date: Sunday 14th November, 2010
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Venue: Market Square Shopping Centre (Lower Floor), Station Road, Bundoran
Fee: €10 per table
Christmas stalls are more than welcome.
stalls are for locally produced arts & crafts, and craft suppliers only.
To book a table, email emma_m_corry@hotmail.com or text/call 0851482304. Just let me know your name, your business name and the type of goods you will be selling.


~~~~~
Ranalagh Multidenominational School, Ranalagh Road Dublin 6 - Christmas Fair, Sunday 28th November 2010 11-5pm
4ft table 35 euros, 6ft table 45euros
Contact: Katie Woollett 0868165722, Ann Turpin 0863761425
Please note all articles for sale must be handcrafted in Ireland


Now for the big summary of Christmas Markets already mentioned in this column.

November

7 Rosscarberry

14 Bray

14 Navan

14 Bundoran
14 Ballinasloe
14 Killaloe
20 Gardiner St. Dublin
20 TOURNAFULLA, CO.LIMERICK
20/21 Bunratty
21 Bray

27 Ennis
28 Ardee

28 Ranelagh, Dublin
28 Wicklow town

December

4-5 Bray

4-5 Drogheda
5 Dunboyne
5 Adare
10-11? Westport

12 Athboy
12 Leopardstown, Dublin

12 Loughrea
19 Castleblayney

19/20 University Concert Hall Limerick

There are also the regular markets in Limerick, Belfast and Dublin.

Thats all for this week. Keep the info coming.
Cheers till next week.

Mo
aka www.huggleknits.etsy.com

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk.
(This weeks photo was taken this morning here in Dublin when I was out for a ramble to the shops.  Amazing Autumn sunshine but you can feel the chill in the air too.)

~~~~~

How excited is everyone heading for the Etsy meet ups on Wednesday in Galway and Saturday in Dublin.  Say a big hello to Liz from all of us who cant make it.  We will look forward to a report later in the month.  If you don't know what I am talking about go here: http://etsyireland.blogspot.com/2010/09/etsy-galway-and-dublin-meet-ups.html

~~~~~

News in of a number of Craft Market opportunities coming over the next few months:

Christmas Fair - Castleblaney, Co Monaghan - 19th Dec 2010

All expressions of interest for a Christmas Gift Fair in a Community Centre,Castleblayney Co Monaghan  -Sunday 19th December, 2010.

Looking for crafts; gifts, foods (we have Jams ; Chutneys ; Jewellery).  Admission to the Public will be free.  Cost to traders to be decided.

email incatrail10@yahoo.ie  

Westport Christmas Fair 2010  (no dates given but if similar to last year 10/11 Dec approx)

For the second year running, Westport will be holding a major Christmas market along the banks of the Carrowbeg river in Westport town, incorporating Santa’s grotto in the old BoI courtyard.If you would to trade at this market, pls ph. 098 273 75. or email: killiandunford@gmail.com

Crafters Ireland Christmas Fairs 2010 

Sunday 14 Nov: Ardboyne Hotel, Navan

Sunday 21 Nov: Royal Hotel, Bray

Sunday 28 Nov: Ardee Parish Hall, Ardee

Sat and Sunday 4&5 December: Boyne Valley Hotel Drogheda

Sunday 12 December:  Darnley Arms Athboy

All events run 11-5 pm Santa will be there along with free kids face painting and entertainment. Extensive advertising as usual with a Crafters Ireland fair. All Xmas fairs will be free entry in for the public.

All events are 75 euro per day and boyne valley will be a two day fair for 140 euro. Spaces being reserved now for just 25 euro deposit.

We are looking for crafts and foods, flowers and any other exciting exhibits. We are full for jewellery…

Please call Scott on 085 2828420 or email craftersireland@gmail.com  to request a space.

As always check our facebook page for news of giveaways.... 

If you have any news for me please get in touch.

Happy Crafting till next week

Mo

aka http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com/

Trade Secrets - to keep your head above water

This week's Trade Secrets come from Brigitte of Purls of Colour, who might have read too many motivational books for her own good.

Stay cool!

It's the recession, and the living is not easy. People's pockets are empty, the purses that still have a few coppers are shut, and although there is a loudly proclaimed trend to prefer homemade to shop-bought, it means that often people want to make things themselves, not buy anything YOU've made.

Don't hang up your hat yet
(light blue yarn by Lindsay Crafts, yellow yarn by Pancake and Lulu on Etsy)

So there you are with your lovely unique goodies on Etsy, feeling like a contestant on the x-factor, hoping to be discovered for your talent, and wondering who to blame or sue if that isn't happening or if members of the panel sneer at you.

You spend your last food money on a market stall (don't do this if you still have to feed the goldfish), and get no return, eating your supplies of Baked Beans for the next couple of days.

Your friends think you have a lovely time sitting in the garden crafting away (which admittedly, you do), but they go out in the evening, while you update your Etsy descriptions again, put a treasury together, or decide what else you can do without (if these Crocs die a death, I can really live without them, I really really can...)

The Craft sector - La Boheme 2010...

So what do you do when Etsy bombards you with 1001 success stories, but you are not one of them? I do love getting tips from Etsy, but it sometimes feels like looking at beautiful people with perfect white teeth, while your worst nightmare is that yours are falling out!

Here are some Purls of Wisdom (thanks to Ruth for that expression!) for when the going is tough, or when nothing seems to be going at all:

Aaahhh, bliss!

- whatever you do, buy good coffee - even when you spend your last money on it, because you'll love it, especially on days when the world just doesn't seem to love you!
(same goes for chocolate)

- get out into the sun, even if it is an Irish one and it doesn't last for long. It does you good, gives you new ideas, and is free! Remember Baz Luhrmann though (wear sunscreen!)

- encourage your friends to share their awful office stories and remember how much you hated the air conditioning and the instant coffee!

- share a good moan with other crafters

- ignore any success stories and good advice at least for a day. Focus on your own!

I love myself

Repeat to yourself:

- I love my craft!

- I believe in handmade. I am a crafter, a creative by heart! I don't 'do' mass-produced. I want to create something gorgeous and one of a kind!

- My products are great, because...(list about 10 good things about them, without any but!)

- the only person that is exploited in my business is myself!

- my business is my choice! If I wanted to, tomorrow I could be a (tick as appropriate) astronaut, actor/actress, chat show host, celeb, IT guru, materchef, model, politi...no, delete that one!

Feel better?
No?

Now where's that coffee then?

How-To Tuesday: Market Stalls Part 2

This is Ruth again from Nice Day Designs trying to pass on a few handy tips for trading on market stalls. This is second part is about interacting with your customers, if you missed the first part about display and presentation, just click here.

Doing your first stall can be daunting, and it's difficult to know what to expect, one thing I hadn't factored in was how to interact with my customers, I figured it was no problem since I had worked in the service industry for so long. But I discovered it's different when you're selling your own work, on my first day I didn't know what to say to people because there wasn't that buffer of the being at a checkout/bar/till. Suddenly it seemed far more personal and I got really tongue tied, it took me a little while but I learned tricks to get around this:

-Be friendly: Nobody wants to go to a stall where someone looks grumpy and unwelcoming, I know it sounds very basic but a smile makes all the difference.

-Give People a bit of space: Don't pounce on them as soon as they stop at your stall, telling them the price of everything. Usually if someone picks something up or inspects a price tag I tell them it's handmade, or a special offer price. It's a way of opening a dialogue with someone who looks interested rather than heckling every passerby. It can be a difficult balance and some shoppers are very shy, so try not to get offended.

-Offer Information: There is nothing worse than talking to a trader and you feel like you are pulling teeth trying to get information out of them. Be pleasant and not too pushy, but tell people it's handmade, what the material is, or that your materials are sourced locally. These are things that people want to know, that's why they are at a craft market instead of Pennies.

-Converse: once you open up a dialogue and you feel that it's going well, continue the conversation, people at markets love to chat, go with it, you never know where it will lead. They might end up telling their neighbour 'about the lovely girl down the market', as you all know Ireland works through word of mouth. Although be careful of those who want to chat for a half an hour but don't buy anything, those people might get in the way of other prospective customers, I know it sounds a bit cruel but you'll need to politely dismiss them.

-Business Cards: If someone seems interested but they don't end up buying it probably means they don't have the money on them at the time, but you have the opportunity for a future sale. Keep business cards on the table and also some close to hand. Hand them your card, tell them about your website, and also if you'll be trading at that market again. 99% of the time I get an encouraging 'oh really, that's great' in response. Recently I've starting giving out DL sized flyers with all my info on them, shop, facebook, and blog with info and images from my business. This seems to be more effective than business cards as it supplies more information. If you do custom orders this would be a good way of letting customers know.

Sometimes it can be a very long day if you are at a stall, especially if it's quiet and there aren't many customers to talk to. The temptation is to bring a book and read it, but I would highly recommend not doing this. It's like adding another barrier between you and the customer, lots of people won't interrupt you, and you will miss opportunities to talk to browsers. This one-on-one interaction is what massive companies would pay millions for, so use this opportunity to add a face and a personality to your business. One tactic I use to pass the time is to bring some sewing with me, it makes it obvious that the products that I'm selling are made by me, I get work done during quiet times, and it's a way for opening up a dialogue with customers. It has the opposite effect of a book, it makes people curious and I end up talking to lots of people about crafting. It also makes my stall more memorable, I've had customers see what I'm making and come back a half hour later to buy the finished product, it all adds to the individual experience of the market. To help with the logistics of working while out of my studio I prepare my brooches at home all precut in little bags, and I just sew them together at my stall.

Another handy tip is to wear your product if possible, it shows a pride in your work and it also illustrates how well your pieces look when they are worn. Sometimes it can be a little thing like this that make that last final decision in a sale. This is also something you can do in your everyday life too, I often wear my felt brooches, and if someone comments I tell them I made it and either give them a business card, or tell them that I sell at a local market. Moo keyring business card holders come in very handy at those times! I know it may seem pushy but you are marketing yourself and your business, and it does lead to sales.

Recently I've found my facebook fanpage to be a fantastic resource for the market. It's a great way to advertise locally for free, during the week I post pictures of the things I've made to build up an interest for my weekend market. Then the day before I post a reminder about the market, with opening times and a link to the website. Without fail every week I get a new customer at my stall saying that they were reading about my work on facebook and they came down because they read my update. I can't recommend it highly enough, it's not that time consuming and it's free!

For the past few years things have not always been rosey at the market, sometimes it can be tough. Here are a few things I learned the hard way

Sales: There have been days that I've sold nothing, it's really heartbreaking and I took it personally, but sometimes it's more to do with advertising, weather and the alignment of the stars (lol). Go home, have little cry, pick your self back up again and try again the next week. It won't happen that often, but try not to take it too hard if it does.

People: I know it sounds awful but some people are just rude, some people expect to buy everything at a market for 2 euro and get annoyed that you are overpricing. Either politely explain that it's handmade, if they persist ignore them. Some folks are just plain dotty!

Weather: If you are trading outdoors check the weather forecast the night before, there is nothing worse than being freezing with no jacket, or wearing uggs and a jumper in 30 degree heat.

Spending: When you are trading at craft shows you are likely to fall in love with all the other traders work, and you'll want to spend all your money at their stalls. It's goo to support other traders, and that's where I do most on my birthday/xmas shopping. But try to restrain yourself, you are trying to make money. If you really want to buy something, set a target at the start of the day, if I sell X amount I can spend X. It might even be a good incentive to yourself to have a better sales pitch!

I hope this market series has helped answer a few questions, and that it encourages some of you to go out and give it a try. It's been the driving force behind my business, and on bad days I might moan and grumble, but I really do love it.

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk (this weeks photo was taken at Powerscourt Waterfall)

News in from Ana from Lightkeeping http://www.etsy.com/shop/lightkeeping

Selling opportunities in the Courtyard Gallery, Midleton, Co Cork.
2 Week Craft Fair 6-19 August = cost €80
2 Week Craft Fair 21 Aug - 3 Sept = cost €80 >>both during Cork Art & Design Craft Month
2 Week Craft Fair 8 - 21 Sept = cost €80 >> during Midleton Food Festival
....gallery staff will look after sales Monday - Friday 10am - 5.30pm
....only quality Irish crafts will be accepted
....limited number of spaces
http://www.thecourtyardmidleton.ie/

COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

CORK CLIPPER FESTIVAL 2-7 July in Kinsale and 7-9 July in Cork
http://www.corkclipperfestival.com/

KINSALE ARTS WEEK 10 - 18 July (not sure about stalls but great workshops listed)
http://www.kinsaleartsweek.com/

DUBLIN 10 July - Toejam Carboot Sale, The Bernard Shaw, 11-12 Richmond St., Dublin 2
http://m.bodytonicmusic.com/thebernardshaw/

DUBLIN 11 July - The Ferocious Mingle Market, Dublin Food Co-Op Building.
http://www.thejosiebaggleycompany.com/pages/FerociousMingleMarket-info.htm

BELFAST 11 July - The Fashion Souk, Ulster Hall Lobby. http://www.thefashionsouk.com/

DO WE HAVE ANY FEEDBACK FROM REGULAR MARKETS...... IS IT WORTH OUR WHILE TO TRY TO GET A STALL????? WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

THANKS TO THIS WEEKS REPORTS FOR THE UPDATES.

KEEP THEM COMING

Cheers
Mo
aka Huggleknits

P.S. I hope to have a link to the calendar of events up on the blog soon....... watch this space....

Crafty News Desk

Thanks to all of you who have got in touch with info on markets and events. I have set up a craftyirelandteam yahoo calendar and it will have entries for all events that are coming up with links to the relevant website giving full details on how to get involved. You will need a google account and I will need to link your account to the calendar so you can access it

In the meantime here are some of the entries that may be of interest:

3-4 July Carrigtowhill Medieval Festival in Barryscourt Castle near Cork City.

http://www.carrigfest.com/index.html

4 July Crafty Market, Sheeben Chic, Sth Great Georges St, Dublin 2.

http://www.thecraftymarket.com/

4 July Trim Swift Festival - street market

market.street.trim@gmail.com

4 July Kells Market Day at the Kells Heritage Festival

http://marketday.kellschamer.ie

10 July Toejam Carboot Sale, The Bernard Shaw, South Richmond St., Dublin 2

http://m.bodytonicmusic.com/thebernardshaw/

11 July The Ferocious Mingle Market, Dublin Food Co-Op Building,

Newmarket Sq., Dublin 8.

http://www.thejosiebaggleycompany.com/pages/FerociousMingleMarket-info.htm

If you are thinking of setting your wares out on a stall you should read Ruth's from Nice Day Designs blog post on Market Stalls. Loads of great advice.... //http://etsyireland.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-tuesday-market-stalls.html#comments

Are there any big promotions coming up in your etsy shop that we should know about????

Any news that you would like to pass on?????

From Monday morning next I will be bringing you a weekly update of whats happening - - all bits of info that come across my news desk....... so get in touch soon (Use the pink spotted/green button on the right).

Cheers

Mo

http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com/

How-To Tuesday: Market Stalls

Hi this is Ruth from Nice Day Designs. There has been lots of talk recently within the team at meetings and on forums about markets and I realized that after 3 years at trading at a weekly market I may have a few bits of info to impart. There are two sides to doing a market, the nuts and bolts of display, tables, and getting your stall. And also what to do/say to your customers to make the best of your stand. Both aspects have their difficulties, and trust me I've learned the hard way by making every mistake in the book. Later in the week I'll be posting the second half, so stay tuned!

Firstly lets look at the basics, how to get a stall. Lots of people have been asking how can they get a market stall, and is there one basic source of info, and to be honest I'm not sure. In Ireland it mostly seems to be work of mouth, the best advice I can give is go to your nearest market and start talking to the traders. The likelihood is that they sell at a few different locations, and they will be able to tell you which are the best ones, and they'll be honest about footfall. Always try to check out a market before you do it, organisers will promise you the earth, but quite often they deliver very little. Find out things like do you need to supple cover, tables, what is parking like, do they require insurance? The company that I use is IOMST, they do a yearly rate that's very reasonable, most markets insist on it these days so it's just one of those things that you have to fork out for at the start. Also ask the market organiser do they advertise locally, they is no point paying them 50 euro for the day if there are no customers.

Next you need a great display, this can take a long time to figure out, it's taken me years to really figure it out properly. Maybe try to do some research online and at market, take photos of the displays that you like and try to learn from them. Here are some easy pitfalls.

-Don't put all your products flat on a table, people will be walking past and judge what you're selling in about 2 seconds, if it's not visible they will walk on.

-Don't have an empty stand, if there isn't lots to choose from people won't buy. If you don't have lots of work share your stand with a friend. It cuts on cost and it fills up the table better.

-Price your work, people will be afraid to ask if there is no price on it, especially with crafts people always assume that they can't afford it.

To help with creating a better display use risers, I made mine out of notice boards, Tesco are selling them at a really reasonable price at the moment. Buy two of them and put a hinge in the middle so they can be free standing. Also use things like boxes underneath your table cloth to raise the level of the table. Other things like pretty baskets and hat boxes are fantastic for displaying your work in. Shop around in the Euro discount shops, even in the garden or kitchen ware sections, think outside the box for what you can use. Also places like Aldi and Lidl sell mini easels and chalk boards, which can really add to the charm of a display. I got little brightly coloured picnic pots in a pound shop last year and I still get people commenting on how well they look on the stall. If it's possible try to contrast or conordinate the colours of your table cloth to your logo, it will really give your display that extra punch that it needs.

It's a good time of year to go shopping for market equipment, things like fold down tables, chairs and gazebos are all easily available in Argos, B&Q etc, look in the camping and garden sections. In the past I've used fold down tables that are used for wall paper pasting, they are very affordable and the heavy duty one is still working 3 years later. What ever you do if you need to provide your own stall do not buy the one in Argos that is a pole assembly, it is a nightmare to put together and it's useless in Irish weather, it may look like a bargain but trust me it will break your heart (and your back!). At the start try to find a market that is indoors or provides cover for you. For your first market it will be quite daunting to deal with this aspect as well as your display and selling to customers.

Signage is also very important, you want people to remember your brand and know what to call you when talking about how amazing you are later to friends and family! I made my own banner with my sewing machine, but in the past I've used a long laminated sign, that cost about 40 euro from my local printer. Just like with your etsy shop it's good to keep your look consistent, so my banner matches my tags, and my smaller price signs.I got this great stamp on etsy from Jlmould, and it's really helped with my packaging, while keeping my costs low. Also it's essential that you have business cards on hand, they sell little perspex holders for them in Easons. I'll talk more about business cards in the next post about interacting with your customers.

I hope this helps, and if any other readers have market tips I'd love to hear about them, just leave a comment below.

CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

News just in .......

2 items of interest have just come in to the Crafty News Desk....

• Andrea stopped by to tell me about a new Show and Tell starting on her blog this Friday 25th. Full details here: http://lushstuffstore.blogspot.com/p/lush-friday.html


• Geraldine from STITCH, that great little craft spot in Santry, has news of a tempting workshop on Saturday next 26th on making cute crochet tea cosies . . . Full details here: http://www.stitch.ie/crochet-tea-cosy/

Thanks to Natalie from http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebluesylph I am working on a calendar of upcoming events and will be bringing you a weekly update. If there is anything of interst happening please let me know. We would also like to hear how the events went. Use the button on the side to get in touch.

Cheers

Mo http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com

"Crafty Update" Hat......

Greetings on a wonderful Sunny Sunday.

As I step up to the mike wearing the "Crafty Update" hat I pause on the first step..... What information do I have to pass on to the eagerly awaiting audience? Not really sure of my facts yet. I have done some trawling through various web sites and twittered like an inquisitive robin - but still not sure. So how do I proceed?

I need your help!

Calling all CraftyIrelandTeam crafters..... I am proposing to post a weekly update of whats coming up around the country, like a Calendar of Events. Also it will have a list of the latest giveaways etc. from your shops. I am especially interested in any classes/courses both short and long that our wider audience might be interested in. So get the thinking caps on and contact me please. For the moment just get in touch through my shop http://www.huggleknits.etsy.com/ I need to learn a bit more about using blog/web/email/twitter/facebook to sort out a more direct link.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Cheers

Mo

aka Huggleknits

Mallow Home & Garden (and craft!!) exhibition

Fleur from Bluebell Eco Candles is helping to organise a craft market at the Mallow Home and Garden Show in Co Cork 2nd 3rd & 4th July. This is the first time small crafts people have been given the opportunity too join. We are to be in the 'outdoor display area' so own cover is required.



The normal cost for traders/ companies is from €900 for the three days but for us the cost is reduced to €250 for the three days.

This is a huge event in the Munster area drawing crowds of 30,000 people and more.

If you are interested please print and fill in application form, enclose €100 deposit and post to:

Bluebell Eco Candles
Kilquane
Headford
Co-Kerry.

Application forms are looked at a first come first serve basis.

Any questions email me at bluebellecocandles@gmail.com. Thanks very much!

Market Opportunities

Thanks to the Savvy Shopper for the Image

I was contacted recently about these two markets:

Craft Fair in DCU
Laura Power is organising a craft fair in aid of Youth Release Ireland, she is looking to raise money to go to Dira Dawa (Ethiopia) and do volunteer work this Summer. The market is a craft,flea,food market in Dublin City University on the 21st of April. It's just 15 euro for the table fee. They do ask that items sold would be inexpensive as they are aiming at the student population. Email Laura at laura.power7@mail.dcu.ie for more information.

The Bernard Shaw Bar Carboot Sale
These guys contacted me wondering if Etsy Ireland wanted to get involved in a how-to stand. Showing punters how to make simple crafty things that they could then take away with them. You can also sell your wares there too, but I think they want more of an interactive thing. The deadline for the next show is 17th April (sorry for the late notice that's my fault!). But they seem to run regular events also, I'm tempted go go for one myself later in the year. This looks like a really cool venue from the website, and it would attract lots of trendy arty types....just the kind of people who love Etsy! Check out this link for submission, also mention that you are from Etsy Ireland.

I'm not gonna be around in Dublin myself for either of these events but if you leave comments here, maybe a few of you could team up and do something.

A Great Market Opportunity in the North

I am taking part in this market and the organisers have asked me if anyone else is interested. It is over Easter Sunday and Monday and takes place in the grounds of Castle Ward which is a beautiful National Trust owned house situated in Co. Down. 

The event attracts 7000+ visitors every year and I've heard the market is a great success for anyone taking part. I'm hoping so anyway! It costs £45 per day which may seem expensive, but I'm sure you can share a stall and split the costs. 

See here for more info about the house and HERE for info about the easter event. If you are interested you need to get your skates on, final applications are next wednesday. You need to email Carole at carole.crozier[at!]nationaltrust.org.uk. I think this is definitely a market worth doing. If you can't do it this time you should email her anyway to be put on the mailing list and get ready for next year! 

There is also an event in October (I think) they are taking applications for now. Good luck!