Kerstmarkt

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Just before Thanksgiving Day each year, 16 wooden booths appear at the Holland Farmers' Market at 8th and Pine. For three weekends, vendors are open Friday nights and Saturday days selling their handmade Christmas goods. Items include greenery, wooden utensils and boxes, food gifts, chain saw carvings, quilts, rugs, glass ornaments, handmade soaps, pet treats, wool socks and mittens. The market is patterned after the European open-air markets held at Christmastime. 

Included in this year's Kerstmarkt are three EtsyWMI team members: 2CraftyChix, YKnotShop, and ShadySideFarm. For a unique holiday shopping experience, come on out to Holland to visit the Kerstmarkt.

At the Market

One of the things I anticipate the most about joining the Fulton Street Artisans Market this summer is the fabulous community I feel I will become a part of. LaShelle from Designs By LaShelle really tells it best about how market can be so much more than just a shopping and selling venue.

My name is LaShelle Green of Designs By LaShelle. I was actually the first person to apply and pay for a season spot this year for the Fulton Street ARTisan Market beginning Sunday June 13 from 11-3pm and continuing through the summer, every Sunday through the end of September.

I love people and being creative so after being invited to participate at the Fulton Street ARTisian Market I decided to jump right in with both feet as one of 4 season ARTisians. My rememberences of last year were at first a little scary but soon turned into wonderful. I wasn't sure about how I was going to "tarp" my space, had no idea how to set up my tables and basically, never doing anything like it before, I felt a bit frustrated. But all those feelings turned into rays of sunshine when I attended the market meeting intended to aid those that needed to know how to set up their tarps for shade, etc. I really appreciated that. I also got advice from those in the etsy forum that had been to the market before and I wrote down ideas and began planning how I would pack my car and actually set my tables up at home. This helped immensly.

 

I used days at the market while sitting behind my table to observe how others sold their items. I also used this time to make back stock while visiting with people next to me, and meeting all the interesting and creative people that walked by. I looked for ways to make someone's day. I made a pair of earrings for a little girl that didn't have any money. I met an older, disabled lady and we became instant friends. I invited her to come behind my table and for the next two Sundays taught her how to make a necklace and earring set. It's not all about making money to me. It's about the friends you make and the hearts that are needing to connect with someone that cares. For me being out at the Fulton Street ARTisian Market isn't about 'stuff' it's about the people. Hope to see you there!

At the Market

If you're a regular in the EtsyWMI team forums or know a Grand Rapids area artist, you've probably heard FSAM referenced time and time again. It is coming up in just over a week after all! EtsyWMI team member Jenn from YKnotShop, has put together a Q&A to help you learn more about FSAM as a newbie to the market.

I was wondering what FSAM means?
FSAM = Fulton Street ARTisans Market.

I am new to the market give me some details on FSAM!! 
It is an open air market that is located at the Fulton Street Farmers Market (corner of Fulton and Fuller in Grand Rapids) on Sundays starting June 13th. You get one 16 foot booth/stall for $10 or an 8 foot booth/stall for $7 first come first served basis.

Some things you may want to know about your booth: 
Your booth will be about 16' long and slanted forward. You will need table coverings, shade and other basic things that you would need for a show as in props and such. Remember, it is an outdoor open market. A 10x10 canopy will cover little more than half of your booth. I also put a tarp out over my customers - they tend to stick around at your booth longer when it is shaded. You can park your car right back up to your spot. 

Can I still sign up?

There are only a limited number of season vendors, but there are lots of spaces other than that. If you are free on June 13th stop down and see what it is about. The 13th is full but there are usually openings on the other Sundays and you do not have to commit to every Sunday. I am afraid that I can't say that every Sunday is full of people but there is starting to be quite a lot of people coming more and more. It is definitely a growing market.

How much inventory should I bring with me?
That is entirely up to you. Do you have a half booth or a full booth? Each half is 8ft long so you want to look full but not over full. You can always have extra in the car to replenish, so just make what you think will be good and go from there. There is no magic number. My booth has changed so much over the past 3 years it isn't even funny. You will learn from experience. I don't sell what you sell so I can't tell you really how much to bring. Like I said bring what you've got and if it is too much keep some hidden to replenish. If it looks like not enough do some filling in and know that next time you need more.

Some set ups
I have a few of my older set-ups here if you want to take a look. You can see some here from other artisans.

Feel free to take a trip down to the market during the week, when the farmers are there, and you can get a feel for the space and how others do things like canopies. Sometimes there are crafters there too so you could say hi and glean some info from them.

You can always find more info about FSAM on Facebook and on their website.

The most important thing is to have FUN!!!!! See you there.

Mark Your Calendars for June 14th!

Check out this article for more information on Etsy Day on the opening day of the Fulton Street Artisan Market.

Trunk Show at Gymnastiks Unlimited in Hudsonville

Mark your calendars! We have a Trunk Show on September 27th (the last Saturday of the month). Ten of our own Etsy West Michigan Artists are participating.


A Window Into Whimsy: Hand Sewn Purses, Totes and Handbags with a whimsical flair. Key Fobs and other small sewn items will also be available. Great for the gift giver, prices range from $5 to $35.

Elysium: I will be selling high quality sterling silver jewelry with semiprecious stones lampwork beads, and Swarovski crystals. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. In addition to that I will have beaded bookmarks, cell phone charms, wine glass charms, purse bling, and zipper pulls. My items range in price from $5.00 to $75.00.

Just Jaynes Add something special to your jewelry creations using sterling silver charms with an artistic flair!

Lilypie Designs: I will have unique hair accessories including no-slip clips, headbands, and ponytail holders for infants, toddlers, and girls. I will also have great gift items such as jumbo paper clip bookmarks, tutu tanks for little girls, and a few other new products

Lydia Layne Simple yet stunning sterling silver necklaces and earrings.

Mondry’s Yknot Shop: I will bring my scrunchies, knot hair ties, turks head knot bracelets & knot necklaces.

Perennial Piecer: I will be bringing my Raggy Chic jackets for Ladies, girls and 18" dolls along with a variety of sweatshirt jackets and quilted bookmarks.

Racermann: Everything that is listed in my store and and other crochet items that I have not listed yet. Polymer Clay Pendants, Radio-active Dust Bunnys, Sock Monkey Purses, can cozy's and dish clothes.

Sweet Surrender Candles: candles, tarts, tea lights, tart warmers, reed diffusers, and some bath & body items such as some lotions, bath fizzers and bath confetti

That Is So C.U.T.E.: Hand knit and felted cozies, ornaments, bowls, coaster and pet beds; beaded book thongs. Prices range from $5 to $50.

The Monkey Shop: I will be bringing my sock monkeys, neck cozy's, some sock monkey cards.