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| Knitters at Brixton Makers' Market |
Mention a ‘craft fair’ and what comes to mind?
Stalls, of course. A
delightful place to visit. Tea and cake. Scarves and earrings, all the stuff
you find in a National Trust gift shop.
Essentially a day out, to browse a few stalls, buy something nice for a
friend’s birthday and take a chance on the weather.
The heritage setting is key: look how the
Channel 5 show, The Wonderful World of Crafting chooses a charming place for each
programme: https://www.channel5.com/show/the-wonderful-world-of-crafting/
From a business point of view, craft fairs are a great
way to make money. The fee for the stall can be used to fund other projects and
support worthy causes, and as long as the organisers attract enough punters, the stall holders should be happy. The more stall holders, the greater the profit;
the more stallholders, the greater the attraction, the more people come, the
greater the takings. Everybody happy.
The Makers’ Market I have in mind is somewhat different.
Linguistically, with a bit of alliteration, it puts the makers at the centre of the event This is to encourage conversation
with the seller about their craft, the origins of the materials they use, and
their passion for making. A maker is
always happy when they sell on the day, but they are particularly delighted
when they engage with a customer and take on a commission. Co-production of
this nature is less wasteful of energy, time and materials; no-one wants a pile
of unsold items... And how great to own
a piece of work, made to your requirements from someone you know!
So for our Makers’ Market, yes, there will be tea and cakes
(and mulled wine too). The setting is
Hornsey Vale Community Centre, whose architecture is more 70s than heritage,
but which is convenient for Crouch End and the W3 and W5 bus routes. There will be a range of interesting items
for sale, lovely gifts for Christmas and beyond. The majority of our stallholders will have
made the items they sell. They will have
sourced their materials, decided on a design, and spent hours, working on their
creation.
Come and talk to them!
The Makers Market is not for profit event at Hornsey Vale
Community Centre, on Sunday 8 December, 3-6 pm.
If you would like to sell at this event, please email me at: Wasteladyn8@gmail.com and I will send
you further details.