Success!

The Crafty Lady's first indoor market selling finished goods was a success!

Even though I didn't have nearly the stock to set up that I'm used to, it still took most of the two hours before the market opened to get everything just the way I wanted it. (And don't bother commenting on the way my banner is all crumpled on the bottom - The table was too low to actually hang nice.) I will be in the same spot next time (Thursday, Feb 23 3-7pm) and if my 'short people tool' is long enough I will be able to hang the banner from a designated cork border on the wall behind the table. 

Being my first indoor market with finished goods, I had to try to figure out what people would be looking for.

Since it was the Valentine's Day market, I knew I needed to have at least one thematic product so I knit up some Smittens! There are still a couple of each size on the website if you absolutely have to have one (or two). 😉

Since it was also in the middle of winter (still), I also created a number of hats and cowls - some matching, some not. They are also on the website.

And because I know some people have had enough of winter and are looking forward to summer, I brought a collection of ecofriendly water balloons.

Three guesses what my biggest seller was! 🎈🎈🎈

I'll still be bringing the 'wear'ables (minus the smittens) to the next few markets but now I have to create more 'use'ables or at least summer friendly items. I'm open to any suggestions.

So until the next market (Thursday, February 23, 3-7pm) keep your fingers busy - I know I will! - and I'll see you at the market!

February's Valentine Market

I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad blogger. It has been six and a half months (!) since I last wrote a blog. I know I warned you that I wouldn't guarantee consistency but this is bad even for me :/

Needless to say, a lot of things have happened since the window was blown out in my bus door. The glass was replaced but not before the electric door opener quit in protest to the load not feeling quite right.

The remainder of the outdoor markets kept me hopping and the transition to the indoor market at the LMC (Lacombe Memorial Centre) went okay for the first few weeks then all heck broke loose again.

One too many bumpy roads caused three of my ten rolling displays to be damaged beyond repair. I was actually surprised they lasted as long as they did considering I had been using them for a number of years at Creative Stitches / Creativ Festival in both Edmonton and Calgary.

Not only that, but my reason for doing the Farmer's Markets has always been to drive business to my online store. Don't get me wrong, I love interacting with my customers face to face but my online store is 24/7 shopping; my in person presence is a few hours a week in different locations. I was finding that most customers preferred to wait until they saw me the following week (or longer) than take advantage of ordering for pickup - either at my place or at the market.

I took that as a sign that I should probably change things up. My online store will continue to exist - for now - but it will be morphing into something new or it may be migrating to a social media platform. I'm not quite sure yet. What I do know is that my Market presence will now be a lot smaller (a vendor's table or two) and the table will be covered in finished goods (!) I know! something I said I would never do! You will still be able to order everything that is available through the online store right there at the table and pick it up, prepaid, at the following market or at my place if you need it sooner.

Because this will be my first 'finished goods' market table, there won't be the large variety of products that you will find on other tables, but you will know that they will be made from the high quality raw goods that you have come to expect from my store. And, of course, all patterns will be my own personal patterns, some of them new enough that they may not even be published yet!

I look forward to seeing all of you at the market and tell your friends to come celebrate Valentine's Day a little early with us!

Ready for the Market Season!

So what once was an ugly hole above the cab is now a great place for notes, calendars, timetables, etc.

Not to mention a great storage place for the extra stitch markers, pompom makers and other assorted accessories. The pegboard on the inside is a great help too! Not only does it give me a place to hang up random small products, but it also stabilizes the frames of the corkboard and chalkboard for the earthquake they will be enduring on a daily basis once May hits.

FYI - I actually had to visit my chiropractor to help put my shoulder back where it should be after drilling four holes into the metal frame of the bus just to hang one of the doors. That door ain't comin' off! The other door has anchors behind the plastic to hold it in place but it is not as stable as the one connected to the frame, so I have placed a small hook (see left edge of photo) that catches the lower lip of the hole to keep it level with the right door and then I put a small hasp on them to keep them closed during travel.

As you can see, the doors just peek out above the patterns and knitting looms. Maybe I should draw Kilroy on the black board or would that be showing my age (and yours if you catch the reference)?

All of this is finished just in time for the maiden highway voyage.

The first market outside of Lacombe will be at the Ponoka Community Market this Monday 3-6pm and, weather permitting, I will be there every week until the end of the market season (usually around Labour Day weekend) or longer if the weather holds out.

And don't forget the kickoff to market season in Lacombe will be April 30. See you at whichever market you get to first.

written by Lori, excited TCL owner, who is looking forward to what the new season will bring!