Why I love Markets

Well I’m not the best at blogs and have to admit I’ve been a bit slack. But as I sit here getting ready for our first market in months due to covid, I find myself excited about meeting up with the rest of my market family. You see the markets is not just a place to show what I have carved and to try to get my name out there but it is so much more.

Before each market I get anxious, is my product good enough and will set up and pack up go smoothly. I think all this is normal and as I get there tomorrow afternoon to set up and meet up with all the other stall holders I know I will feel at home. I love talking to like minded people who inspire me in so many ways. I love hearing how everyone has been going but most of all I love our elderly stall holders who often say to me this is their only outing and the market for them is where they have contact with others.

While covid had us in lock downs and at levels where our markets couldn’t be held, has been so hard on many of us who rely on the markets not just with sales but with missing out on that connection with others.

So when you visit our markets, know a market is more than people with products to sell, it’s a family that support each other. It’s what keeps me carving and my inspiration comes not just by the stall holders but by the customers who stop and talk.

Behind the scene of all great markets is the organizers, and for our Port Chalmers markets and many other markets is a lady that has showed Dunedin how it’s done. With her determination and a lot of hard volunteer work is Julie Fawcett and her management team. The work involved is massive and I’m sure as a stall holder I only see a very small part of it. With the Wingatui Artisan Market we are lucky to also have Kayt Harris and Julie together each using their speciality skill set to make sure each Wingatui Artisan market runs smoothly.