The First Time - Market edition.

So I did it. I did the Fairfield Island Market and had a table set up for the world to see and judge me and my art.

And it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. Though it was painful in some aspects.

The day the market was held was also, subsequently, the first day of summer (by feel) since last month. So naturally no body wanted to be inside. We were inside.

Now I have learned some things that I would like to share, about markets and stuff, not just everything I've learned - that could take a while.

1. Research the event. In my first experience, though it was decent, I realized I was at the wrong event for what I wanted. Some of the other Vendors I could easily be with in other markets. Like the Purse Junky or Passion Party. However the main obstacle I found was that the audience I was searching for was turned away by the very first thing they saw upon walking in the door. They saw a giant vagina, a giant hand, and thongs and sex toys. Yep, a sex store. Now I know the woman who owns this, and have nothing against her, or sex stores...I however should have thought this through and decided that it wouldn't attract the crowd I needed. The crowd I needed was reportedly put off by that first sight, and turned away before actually entering the door. I admit, we probably could have fooled them in a bit farther had the purses or tea lights or Tupperware been the first sight they received.

2. Be clear with your expectations. I don't mean towards yourself, either. Though that is important. I went in, being rather pessimistic, expecting that I would at least get a couple new likes on my FB Page. And I succeeded in that and sold one chalk and charcoal. What I mean, though, is to be clear with the person or persons creating the event. I had expectations of some things for marketing. I expected that there would be ads in the newspapers (which there were) and social media (which could have been a bit better) but more I expected a lot of signage. I knew that there was another local market in Fairfield on the other side, therefore I thought that there should be lots of signs at the two main roads in there. As well in front of the hall. (The hall is typically used for private events, so people won't just be curious enough). I heard that there was only one sign...that was facing the hall.

3. Be Friendly. This should go without saying. But it goes beyond that. In this case, shy me came out. I am usually pretty outgoing, having forced myself to do that. But this time, no. This time it was my heart and soul on the line, my aspirations, dreams, and hopes that I had barely found the courage to tell people about - I was now putting it all on display. Take it or leave it (please take it). I was lucky and had Dani, one of my biggest supporters (and buyers). She would charm the people who walked by (in the beginning when there were actual strangers coming through). And I expected that I would warm up to it, and I did...but the problem was that I expected I would warm into it, then that it would get busy. It didn't. It got dead. I lost my chance to charm. So besides being friendly with  the people, it's also to be friendly with the other vendors. I was new, they all had plenty of advice for me.  And as a new comer I noticed a couple things. Number 1 was that when you were fake friendly it showed. We even nicknamed one lady the "real estate agent" (nothing against real estate agents. I am related to 2 who are, nothing like this person) because she was so fake friendly. Everything she said was perceived as quite catty. But there was a couple ladies who were genuinely nice and helpful. I was situated by the Purse Junky and Passion by Pam and both were so nice. Both were full of advice and seemed interested in what I had to offer. Which was a nice ego boost for moi (one I needed at that point).

So that is what I have learned from my experience. Well that and that there is a lot of people who will minimize what you have. I don't know how many people came up to me and said "oh yeah, I paint" or "oh, [cousin, son, brother, dog, etc] paints". It comes off as catty, it feels like someone is saying "oh, this is easy, you have no skill, anybody can do this" the truth is probably that they are showing that they have something in common with you.. or perhaps they really are just being catty. We had one older gentleman who came by and was generally interested in the art, but also would talk about his own relatives who sold art. It was more helpful. Or I guess trying to be optimistic. They apparently made a pretty penny off of their artwork, but instead of sounding like "you can't do it" it came off as "keep your head up, you can do it". I like those type of people.

I found the same catty talk when I was writing more often and I would talk to other people about it. Oh they've written a novel too. Then suddenly it's diminishing my own talents or attempting to. Ugh. People. (actually i did have a writing experience there too...though I have to admit I could have been taken as catty..I guess) .

All in all it was a good first experience. It wasn't overwhelming, though I sort of wish it was. Then maybe I could have made back what I paid for my table (oh, there's more advice - check the table cost. I found out that a much more popular event that had the right type of crowd charged half the cost and was in a heavy tourist area). I will probably do it again, but in a while. I'm not ready to devote my weekends to markets, maybe next summer - but I would like more stock too. I don't want to chance running out.  I'll get there though.

All in all, it was fun, and gave me the opportunity to meet new people. I came away with some business cards less, and a couple new likes on my FB page. I figured out what I will need for next time I do this, and have further figured what I need to improve on.

Speaking of all this, I imagine you want to know what it looked like, the table and moi - here are some pics:

The Table set up

(photos from myself and buddy Dani)