We took over Norwich Makers Market at the beginning of this year after Rosie had done a grand job starting it up a few years ago. I had been trading at markets myself for a couple of years, from well publicised ones such as Spitalfields and Renegade in London to local ones which weren't. I was frustrated that so many markets don't seem to care enough about their stallholders and attracting footfall and also wanted a clear separation from the bad reputation some 'craft' fairs have that really aren't about skilled craft and design anymore.
Even though we only run twice a year at the moment it's been busy times working on promotions, design, branding and sifting through so many more submissions than I ever expected! We get hugely oversubscribed with so much great work, it's been so hard to make the final choices and I must admit I am half dreading next year when we will have even more judging by the size of our mailing list now! We opened for submissions very early as we had to secure the venue, in hindsight I think we will do this a little later next year as we realise how hard it is to know when you will be available for Christmas Markets in February!
I get piles of emails from makers asking if they can be in the fair, often without even telling me what they sell and with no images. (or telling me vaguely what they sell but without any enthusiasm or pics). As you can imagine this makes it hard to envisage how they would fit it so always make it clear what you do when making an enquiry.
I thought it may be worth giving a few tips -
Make sure that the market you're applying to suits your audience. You could trade at a market with the best footfall in the world but if those customers aren't your kind of audience then it won't prove fruitful. (and also know that if you don't get accepted to a market it doesn't mean your work is bad it just means it may not suit that market or that there are already too many sellers of that genre). At Norwich Makers Market we look for work that is inventive, creatively quirky, well made and beautifully displayed. Try to avoid last years trends or clichéd craft.
Images are the most crucial part of your submission, the more proffesional they are the clearer it is that you take your business seriously and also it allows us to post great pictures on social media to publicise the event. Don't send bad pictures and say you'll send better ones later. Your submission will go on what you send initially. (first impressions!)
Send social networking links, if we feel you can advertise the fair successfully because you regularly engage then it will help your case and we can also see what kind of following you have.
Send stall set ups that look great. (even if it's the first time and you have mocked it up at home) We want to see you can put on a good display so that you can sell your work and make for a proffesional but creative feel to the market.
A few pins of inspiration! - https://uk.pinterest.com/ella_goodwin/makers-market-set-up-inspiration/
And of course most importantly visit the market you are hoping to trade at, we'd love to see you so come and have a chat, meet the stall holders and get a feel as to whether you feel you're work is right for the market and that the market is right for you!
Even though we only run twice a year at the moment it's been busy times working on promotions, design, branding and sifting through so many more submissions than I ever expected! We get hugely oversubscribed with so much great work, it's been so hard to make the final choices and I must admit I am half dreading next year when we will have even more judging by the size of our mailing list now! We opened for submissions very early as we had to secure the venue, in hindsight I think we will do this a little later next year as we realise how hard it is to know when you will be available for Christmas Markets in February!
I get piles of emails from makers asking if they can be in the fair, often without even telling me what they sell and with no images. (or telling me vaguely what they sell but without any enthusiasm or pics). As you can imagine this makes it hard to envisage how they would fit it so always make it clear what you do when making an enquiry.
I thought it may be worth giving a few tips -
Make sure that the market you're applying to suits your audience. You could trade at a market with the best footfall in the world but if those customers aren't your kind of audience then it won't prove fruitful. (and also know that if you don't get accepted to a market it doesn't mean your work is bad it just means it may not suit that market or that there are already too many sellers of that genre). At Norwich Makers Market we look for work that is inventive, creatively quirky, well made and beautifully displayed. Try to avoid last years trends or clichéd craft.
Images are the most crucial part of your submission, the more proffesional they are the clearer it is that you take your business seriously and also it allows us to post great pictures on social media to publicise the event. Don't send bad pictures and say you'll send better ones later. Your submission will go on what you send initially. (first impressions!)
Send social networking links, if we feel you can advertise the fair successfully because you regularly engage then it will help your case and we can also see what kind of following you have.
Send stall set ups that look great. (even if it's the first time and you have mocked it up at home) We want to see you can put on a good display so that you can sell your work and make for a proffesional but creative feel to the market.
A few pins of inspiration! - https://uk.pinterest.com/ella_goodwin/makers-market-set-up-inspiration/
And of course most importantly visit the market you are hoping to trade at, we'd love to see you so come and have a chat, meet the stall holders and get a feel as to whether you feel you're work is right for the market and that the market is right for you!