December Bulletin: Preparing for art markets

INTRODUCTION

A warm welcome to everyone reading this newest blog post of mine, and happy december to wherever you are in the world! It’s been a while - I know. I’ve been up to a lot these past months, believe me - although mostly „unsharable“ things, like sending out job applications and the designing and launching of my (this) new portfolio website. How do you like the new look on this whole new platform? (I switched from Portfoliobox to Squarespace because it has a newsletter option.) I’d be happy to hear your feedback. Are there any bugs you encountered or is everything working just fine? I’m hoping that my website will appear in Google searches and other searchbars soon, and that it will continue to be and grow the platform I use to connect with you, my audience, in times of social media chaos. I’m just really excited about this opportunity and I hope to connect with you all on another level.

Speaking of connecting on another level: I’ve recently been attending art markets again, taking part in the christmas business for the first time ever (since the last two years all christmas and art markets were canceled due to the pandemic.) I’ve always wanted to do that and now it finally became a reality! I couldn’t quite believe it and I think I got a bit overly excited, because I booked two very expensive markets booths at popular locations back in late October to be able to sell on the first two advent weekends. But more on that later. 🎄

I always ponder on what I might write about for my next blog entry.

Sometimes I think a bit too complicated, instead of chatting about what life brought to me lately. So why don’t I just do that? In today’s post, sparked by recent events and insights I gained, I wanted to share with you some tips and tricks on how to prepare for art markets and what to consider. Of course there are a million other ways to plan and go about things, but here’s what I think might come in handy if you’re interested in this kind of... adventure. Because it really is, every time! Even if you’re not an artist or seller of things yourself and just want to read about what I’ve been up to: You’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get this party started, shall we? 🎉

STEP ONE: Creating a product variety

Here I go stating the obvious, but before you can even start selling you will need to develop a little palette of different products to offer. By that I don’t mean selling socks next to sculptures (unless that’s your thing, Dobby would approve), I’m rather refering to various items that people can chose from which are all representive of your niche and style, laid out on the table in front of you. That being said, it never hurts to branch out as long as there is some consistency, something to recognize you by. I’ve been told for me it’s my choice of usually comforting color palettes and friendly animal characters.

It’s curious how it probably took me around fifteen minutes to open an online shop on Etsy and upload my first article back in 2018; and for the first few weeks I sold only that, somehow people found and purchased it over and over again. Having only one product to market, it can work on the Internet, at least you can certainly start out like that and build from there. It’s the reason I did it and having an Etsy shop has its worth, I’m grateful for it. However, one thing it cannot give me is that real life interaction, face to face, artist to customer - hence the desire to join markets.

Now picture a single illustrated bookmark laying there on a white tablecloth; while that’s adorable, it doesn‘t really make a whole shop yet and would look a bit sorry and lost. For those occasions it’s better to have several things on display that could possibly catch someone’s eye. You want people to come up to your market stall! They might not even buy the thing they were initially drawn to, but if you have a little variety going on, it can become the basis for a deeper conversation about your work and everything you do! It’s like a portfolio website or your own little gallery space that you can make the most of for one day.

Me selling in the freezing cold at Mexikoplatz, Berlin, 27th November 2022

This all may sound stressful (and pricey), but do keep in mind that said palette-building doesn’t happen over night / doesn’t have to be done all at once. My product range took over 2 years to grow until I felt ready to sell in person! ;)

What works for me is having at least three different product and price categories for various budgets:

An affordable option like stickers and postcards
Art prints, so people can put your work on their walls, yet still within a budget
Original artworks for people who want to go “all out” and own unique pieces of work
Optional: Have commission examples at the ready to show that people can book you and what they can expect if they do - this is to attract clients for the future, after the market is over

STEP TWO: Picking the right market/location & booking your booth

When you’re just starting out and are probably a one-person-business, it’s always a financial risk to pay the booth fees in advance, not knowing if you’ll ever make the money back or even make any profit at all... but you have to start somewhere, so you just try and hope for the best. Of course there are differences in pricing and risk though. Any market can always turn out one way or another (it’s seems to be up to fate, mostly), but here are the things to consider when booking your booth:

Most markets are outdoors. What time of the year is it, and if you have to book long in advance, what are the chances of the weather being good? In summer, you have less things to worry about, whereas in winter, rain/snow and the freezing cold could do damage to your products, not to mention you could catch a cold and not be able to work for a longer period of time. So even if you pay more to sell at an indoor market - like I did for my second market weekend, 3rd & 4th december, @weihnachtsrodeo at the Kühlhaus, Berlin - it can be worth it because you are not going to be reliant on the weather conditions. Not to mention people will stick around longer and come back to buy things because it’s *cosy* - especially when it’s winter and mulled wine is being served.
Keep your budget in mind. I’m not going to lie, me jumping on the most pricey option this christmas season was maybe not a smart move at first. I had „lost“ so much money, it kinda scared me going into the market weekend, because there was so much pressure to get it back. In the end I did, and more, (phew), though it was a suspenseful ride that gave me some sleepless nights.
So if you really are just at the beginning, I suggest you start as lowkey as possible and join markets in summer or springtime. The first one I ever sold my art at wasn’t even an art market, it was a regular “street bazar“, an open air op shop slash turkish food market and then there was me inbetween all of those completely random stalls and items, prices being haggled all around me. I didn’t make a huge amount of money that day, but the booth fees were so low that it didn’t matter - that was the beauty of it. It’s good to get yourself out there so people can see and properly meet you. I handed out my first business cards and talked about my products, gaining confidence in the process. It was also a great way to connect with other salespeople /market folk and ask around. What other markets are there? Where lie the differences between them?
How much do you want to stand out? Now, you’re probably thinking: What is she on about? Of course, I want to stand out, always! Sure thing, but hear me out: There is always the choice between standing at a market where everyone around you is offering the same or a similar thing to you, like fine art or illustration in my case, selling art prints and so on...or going somewhere where you are the only person doing a certain thing. The first types of markets are usually more expensive, but the upside is that people who go there do it, BECAUSE it IS an art market, they probably already know it and have an idea about what they’re looking for. So you get an audience interested in art, some with their pockets full of money to spend - even on original paintings. The downside: You never know if, inbetween all those talented people and that amazing art, they are going to choose YOU. Sometimes it’s just about their preference of style, however great your stuff is. You might go home not having sold anything at all. The stakes are higher, thus the risk is too, however if you’re lucky you sell one of your bigger paintings and end up making a lot of money with only one piece. Both that and being sure to sell lots of little items at „regular“ markets has its benefits.
I’d say the ideal scenario is switching back and forth between renowned art markets and those that sell a bit of everything (food, art and everyday utensils) to get the best of both worlds. Don’t underestimate the „little“ markets because they will give you the budget to attend more industry-related, sought-after ones - and there is not much to lose.

STEP THREE: Getting the gear & layouting

Upon booking my booth I usually receive a preparation checklist for that particular market from the organisers, e.g. when it starts and ends, at what time I have to arrive at the location to set everything up in the morning and what the safety requirements are. The first thing I look for is the size of my table, which is easily the most important nugget of information. Each provider is different and it’s vital to know how much space you have to present your products so you can plan your product setup (or layout) beforehand. To see how I should arrange things I stick some tape to the floor of my living room - according to the table’s measurements - and see how I might best fill the available space.

Me behind my stall at Kühlhaus Berlin, december 3rd - a new setup in place, ready to chat

Once I know what I can take with me and how it makes sense to lay it out, I can also decide if I need anything else, like decoration or extra gear I didn’t own before. For the two christmas markets I added a counter top card stand to my collection, as well as a special outdoor light chain. You don’t need all of that at the beginning though; here is what I think you need to start with:

A tablecloth, either something neutral (white/black) or a color that matches the hues of your products well
A few table stands or things you can use to make some of your pieces stand up against so people see it from afar
A basket or box you can pop different products in that don’t fit on the main table display, a „digging“ container where interested onlookers can have a search-through; like at one of those old record shops! It creates a special feeling.
If you’re selling stickers or other small items: A colorful item like a dish to create a background that makes them pop and stand out from the rest
Little tag holders, if you choose to put your prices up. You can also use the „don’t show people the prices so they have to come up and ask you, which is a conversation starter“ technique, but to each their own. ;)
In winter: A fire protection blanket and spray (it’s mandatory!), a safety vest and a headlamp for packing up your things in the dark once the market is over (which is no issue in summer cause it’s still light outside at 5-6 PM)
A receipt book to hand out paper receipts to customers - and for your bookkeeping, ya know.
Must-have, in my opinion: A sumup - or similar - device so you can take payments by card! I wouldn’t make half of the money I do at markets if I only accepted cash. So grateful for it every single time.

Fun fact: I almost had to pack up and leave that first market at Mexikoplatz Berlin because my light chain that was labeled „for outdoor use“ wasn’t actually that safe and didn’t fulfill the fire protection requirements - or so I was told. I didn’t know that! How could I? There was a special waterproof plastic plug connector needed that I will link here so you don’t make the same mistake I did.

You can also have your regular light chain modified at qualified stores, but I haven’t looked into that yet. I was just glad to be indoors the second time! 💡

STEP FOUR: Planning your trip & advertising

Once your suitcase - or van - is packed to the brim with lovely goods to sell, there are only two things left to do, firstly: Advertise the market well! Let people know everywhere you can, both on social media and in real life. Usually the market crew provides a poster to print and hang up somewhere (cafés etc.) or a pre-designed instagram story; if not, consider creating your own. Be creative about it, make people interested in coming to see you! (That’s one of my favorite parts because I get equally excited about it all.) Make sure to share the location, so folks can find you - yes, down to the street name.

And then there is the big moment: The evening before the market. Take care to get a good night’s sleep (although I rarely ever manage to because it does make me nervous and excited every time) and prepare everything you need the next morning in advance. I like to fill up my waterbottle and pack a lunchbox the night before so I don’t have to do it when I get up at the crack of dawn... or even earlier. It helps! I also charge my sumup device which I use to take card payments and store it away safely.

Now you’re all set! Good luck to those who wish to embark on this adventure, and to myself in the future as well - haha.

The view from my window at dawn - which is when I already had breakfast on market days

CLOSING LINES

To anyone who asked how the markets went (thank you!): I had a great time and spent so much of it talking to many different people of all ages that I didn’t sit down once - which was good for business and bad for my feet. Why did I even bring a chair? :P I was freezing at some points, but I barely realized because I was so caught in the moment and chatting and laughing with my wonderful booth neighbors who took me in like I was their niece or...market daughter? Is that a thing? I think it is, looking at how they shared their valuable experiences and tips with me. See the lovely ladies who stood next to me at Weihnachtsrodeo and their booths here:

Tina, me and Debbie behind my booth at Kühlhas Berlin, 4th december 2022

Debbie on the right is a science teacher from London who now teaches biology at one of Berlin’s secondary schools. She came to Germany to live with her wife in 2018 and has learned German since then, which she already speaks fluently (amazing)! In her spare time and on vacations she takes beautiful photos of street art just before it vanishes forever, catching a moment in time. Check out her work over on Instagram, @eleboophoto. 🐘

Tina on my left (in the photo) is selling unique tie dye sweaters, socks and dresses, leggings/yoga pants... women’s fashion with focus on sportswear! 🧦 As @tinalisciousberlin she hand-dyes them all herself and makes different color series. So inspiring to see what others are making while I’m illustrating!

Okay, this turned out to be a rather detailed one. I hope you enjoyed it and perhaps got to take something away from this blog entry. Then I’d say: Mission completed.

I’m also about to send out my first ever newsletter - a handful of dear people have already signed up for it and I’m excited to start this journey with you! It’s gonna go out at the beginning of each month starting in the new year, though this december one will just come as soon as I’m done - lots to figure out. If you haven’t added your e-mail address to my list yet, feel free to join the club here:

SUBSCRIBE TO THE “FRANZI’S FANCIES” NEWSLETTER 📧

I’d like to wish you all a calm and peaceful remainder of the year with friends and loved ones and hope to see you all afresh in the new year! What are your plans and goals for 2023? Let me know in the comments. One of mine for 2022 was attending markets and I did that. Now I have to find new goals, hehe. I’m sure I will.

Warm embraces and gingerbread cookies 🍪 🎄 🌟 ♥️

Yours, Franzi

December Bulletin: Preparing for art markets

January Bulletin - No. 6: Sketchbook Exercises

March Bulletin: Inspiration through conversation

Let’s work together.