Meadow Merino and Markets

Wow that was a busy weekend. I didn’t know I could get so much done..

On Sunday I had a stall at the North Melbourne Market from 10am – 3pm. A really early morning because we had to set up at 9am, and with an hour of travel and last minute preparations I was up at 6am again.

The market was very interesting. I learned a LOT. I learned that I need to find a way of displaying my hand dyed yarns vertically because the table top runs out of space and looks cluttered very quickly. I might start snooping around shopfitting sites.

I learned that I’m actually pretty good with doing the small talk thing without being pushy. I referred some people to Ravelry and gave a lady the address of Bendigo Woollen Mills because she needed bulk yarn in a heavier weight that I had. I hate it when people running a stall are pushy and I equally hate it when they seem more interested in chatting with their friends or reading a magazine.

I got a really good response to my colours and most people who stopped to look commented on them. I’d still like a few more neutrals and I want to add a different green and a plummy purple – but I’m quite happy with the range at the moment.

While I sold enough to cover my costs, most people didn’t seem to. There were a huge number of stalls with old clothes. I was confused by this. They weren’t “vintage” or handmade or unique particularly. They were just chain-store clothes about 4 years out of date.

One girl was selling necklaces made out of bones from restaurant kitchen waste that she had painted bright colours. I had a look at one and it didn’t look like it had been scoured or roasted to destory the marrow inside the bones. I think they would turn rancid because the marrow looked kind of – meaty.

This coming weekend I get to spend at home, so I’ll take pictures of my yarn and put them into the shop. Here’s a taster – Meadow Merino 8ply in Vintage Blue.