I have been waiting for this moment for a long time - the direct and personal connection to the actual customer…to see their reaction, hear their words and get a feeling for their response to my print designs.
I have been waiting for this moment for a long time - the direct and personal connection to the actual customer…to see their reaction, hear their words and get a feeling for their response to my print designs. There was no better way to do that than actually set up a stall at a market place.
So I decided my very first exposure should be on Kangaroo Island at the Penneshaw Farmers Market… after all it was the Island that inspired me in the first place and without living here I would never have had such an opportunity.
Market day - what a perfectly stunning morning! It was already April but the sun was shining in a clear blue sky. I could wear my favourite palm leaf printed dress. I took this as a good omen.
I set my stall up in the shade of the giant Norfolk pine trees and was happy with the simple but inviting look it generated. Black boards displayed my greeting card collection on the right and selected original prints in frames on the left. I insisted on taking the old (and very heavy) fish filleting table out of my studio as a display counter. This raised my husband's eyebrow but with the promise “just this one time” I got away with it.
The clock just passed nine and people started to arrive. It was Easter Sunday and there were at least 40 stalls selling local produce, handmade art and crafts, jewellery, clothing and even plants. The food and coffee vans invited visitors for a pause and a reboost.
What a nice feeling it was when the first visitors turned into being my customers. I received so many genuine comments about my designs - I felt very humble. The interaction with everybody interested in my collection came naturally and I enjoyed talking about the printing process and the story behind VPP Design - I completely lost track of time.
On the way home it finally sank in how well my designs had been received. Many people had bought multiples of cards and I also sold some original artwork. My husband smiled and said “I told you so” as I was still in disbelief by the interest my work had created.
My first market has given me a lot of confidence and now I feel ready to approach retail stores and other markets.