So this year (and last year), I have been taking part in regular ourdoor Makers Markets. The Albert Dock Makers Market is the first Sunday of every month & the Bombed Out Church Makers Market is on the third Sunday of every month.
Apart from the 'unknowns' of weather and footfall, I absolutely love doing these. I love the huge mix of people that you get to talk to - from all areas of the country & the world! It still amazes me when visitors tell me that a print is going to Australia, Vietnam, America, Hong Kong ... the list goes on (I really must map all these locations!)
Of course, the down side to the great outdoors is the variation in the weather. From being in full sun, which bounces off the frames so you can't see the prints properly to downpours where you have to quickly pull everything in & get an umbrella up and gusting winds which cause havoc with items on the table & mayhem when you try & wrestle prints into bags! But if it was easy, everyone would do it right?!
In my experience, the key to managing it all is having an adaptable display. If it's windy, I don't build my display too high and I use a bracing pole now at the back of the display (as I did have a display collapse at the Albert Dock a few months back - fortunately during the packing away stage & we managed to catch everything!). It is always windy at the Albert Dock, even if the weather forecast says it's not!
All my prints are in sealed bags, so they are more or less ok in a bit of rain. The large frames I use outdoors are simply a wooden frame with a bagged print, so that prevents the 'real' frames from getting damaged. A gazebo umbrella is a must but it needs to be secure (see previous about wind!)
And I'm not going to even think yet about how unpleasant it is standing outside all day when it gets really cold ..... Brrrrrrr!
So I guess my point is, to those visitors that come past and one of the first things they ask is 'Can I buy these online?' is yes you can but PLEASE also buy from sellers like me at these events, as it takes a lot of preparation, time, money and committment to be there!
Albert Dock Makers Market - First Sunday of every month (11am - 4pm - I'm usually set up & ready by 10am)
Bombed Out Church Makers Market - Third Sunday of every month (10am - 4pm)
Also coming up ...
Winter Pop Up at the Palm House, Sefton Park
Friday November 15th, Saturday November 16th & Sunday November 17th
And don't forget you can browse and buy my work every day from my unit inside Red Brick Market in the Baltic Triangle. Open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 6pm and on Sundays from 11am - 6pm.