#Witch Market

[breelandwalker]

so, I know you've been vending at a lot of different craft fairs and witch markets for awhile now (sadly, too far away for me to attend!). would you happen to have any tips for someone looking to do the same at their local fairs? thanks!!!!!! ❤️

Sure! To start, brush up on three things - networking, recordkeeping, and people skills. Get an idea of what's going in on your area, talk to the organizers, see what the particulars are for the events. Here are some questions to ask:

What's the venue like? (indoors, outdoors, parking, accessibility)

Do I need to bring my own table and chairs?

Is there electricity / wifi available?

What is the table fee?

When is the event and how long does it run?

Is there a theme or target audience?

Is there advertising being done for the event? (Signal boost!)

Based on the answers you get, you can start putting your stock and setup together.

Do as much as you can WAY ahead of time. If you need to make things, start now. If you need to buy things, give yourself at least a month before an event to make sure everything arrives in time. Get yourself a 6-foot folding table and a comfortable folding chair or camp chair for events where they're not provided by the venue. Sign for Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp as well as a card payment processing service like Square to give your customers the most payment options possible. And of course, plan to carry some small bills for cash patrons. (You don't need a register or cashbox, a simple bag of appropriate size will do. I literally use a pencil case that says Resting Witch Face. Works great.)

You'll want to get some displays for your merchandise. The type will vary depending on what you have, but it should be simply and sturdy and preferably easy to pack in and out. Vertical visibility is important at these events, so if you can find some kind of stand or tiered display, that will help you get noticed. I'd also suggest some simple clear plastic standups that you can put a printout price list and a basic sign in. A table banner helps people notice your table from afar and you should definitely have business cards to hand out with your shop info and socials. (I use Vistaprint for both.) Decorations are nice, but don't overload the table with them. They should augment your setup, not overwhelm it.

You may also want to get an 8x8 or 10x10 popup canopy and canopy weights if you plan to do outdoor events. Also, GET A COLLAPSIBLE WAGON. Best investment I ever made was a $45 collapsible wagon. It fits in my backseat and makes hauling things in and out of venues SO much easier.

Keep track of everything you spend related to your endeavors, including event fees, supplies, stock, setup items, displays, signage, business cards, and gas and food on the day. Keep those receipts - you can deduct them on your taxes later to offset your earnings. (Because registering as a business can be a pain and comes with fees, but if you don't do it, you may owe money for not collecting sales tax. Put aside some money for that tax bill, just in case.)

Prep your setup and stock the night before an event. Check your merch, charge your card reader (and bring a fully-charged auxiliary power pack and cord, just in case), make any updates to your inventory or pricing that you need to. It really cuts down on stress when you're loading up if you know you've already get everything set. I suggest reusable shopping bags or clear plastic bins to make things easy to haul, plus they can double as storage.

Plan to leave as early as you need to in order to account for traffic and pit stops. Pick an outfit ahead of time so you don't have to dither over clothes. It should be something appropriate for the event and the weather that looks neat and clean and is easy to move around in, including comfortable shoes. (Look to other vendors for examples.)

Make sure you bring water, snacks, and anything you'll need to get through the day, i.e. medicine (headache pills and stomach medicine at minimum), energy drinks, a fan for hot days, an extra layer for cold ones, etc. Get to the venue as early as the organizers allow. The more time you have to park, load in, and set up, the less stressed you'll be. Make sure things are arranged in a way that's accessible and makes sense. Place signage where necessary to explain items and pricing.

GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THE EVENT BEGINS. TRUST ME.

During the event, you're gonna have to do a LOT of socializing, so prepare for that as best you can. Try to stand if possible when there's a lot of foot traffic so you're more noticeable. Be personable - you don't have to grin constantly, just try to keep a pleasant expression and greet people as they pass, especially if they look in your direction. Don't be afraid to invite passersby over if they pause to check out your setup. Welcome them in, invite them to check out your stuff, and let them know you're happy to answer questions. (And ALL questions are good questions. There are no dumb questions. Even if the question is the dumbest thing you've ever heard or it's the fifteenth time you've been asked that day.) Chat and banter a bit where possible. If you can get people smiling or laughing, they're more likely to stick around and possibly purchase your wares. Make sure as many people as possible take your card when they leave.

Yes, you will be exhausted when the event is over, even if you're a naturally outgoing person, and you'll still have to break everything down, haul it out, load your vehicle, and drive home. If you happen to have somebody who can help you out, that really comes in handy.

In any case, know your own capabilities and personal limits and plan for that when you're deciding where to vend. If a venue is too far away for your comfort or doesn't have what you need or the table fee is too high (be wary of any thing over $75 for a single day event), don't sign up. If an event is too long or too far outside your target audience, don't sign up. If you don't have an appropriate setup or don't have the stock / can't get it in time, don't sign up. If something about the event or the venue or the organizers rubs you the wrong way, DON'T SIGN UP. Talk to other local vendors to get an idea of where to go and what to expect. Most will tell you right away what works, what's good, and what to steer clear of.

This is all just the basics. You'll learn a lot more when you start to vend, as far as what your individual needs are, where to go to find reliable business, and how best to connect with local venues and customers. Keep records of everything you do (spreadsheets are your friend!), network with organizers and other vendors, and practice that sociable game face.

And trust me - if a disorganized introvert with social anxiety and ADHD and absolutely NO sales experience can figure out to do this, I think pretty much anyone has a chance.

Good luck!!!! 😁

[hexpositive]

Upcoming Events

Strawberry Moon Night Market Friday, June 21st 2024, 6pm-9pm  10365 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA Hosted by Styx & Stones

Sunflower Witch Market Sunday, June 23 2024, 12pm-6pm Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

Buck Moon Night Market Sunday, July 20th 2024, 6pm-9pm 10365 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA Hosted by Styx & Stones

Cottage Witch Market Sunday, July 28 2024, 12pm-6pm (date moved from 6th) Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

Free Spirit Gathering August 6-11, 2024 Camp Ramblewood, Darlington MD Registration & Details on Website

Pumpkin Witch Market Sunday, Sept 22 2024, 12pm-5pm Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

CritWitchCon 2024 September 27-29, 2024 Online Gathering via Zoom "Perception / Perspective Check" Hosted by Critical Thinking Witch Collective

Hope to see some of you there!

[witchcastors]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Velvet Witch™️ (@velvetwitch)

✨ I’ll be at the New Moon Market in Norfolk, VA, this Friday night doing custom readings and spell work! Stop by to support your local witchy gals, gays, and theys ✨

[zoomar]

Imaginary pictures from an occult flea market.

[choccy-milky]

💙 💚

[artcgirl]

Christmas 2022

I was gifted by my sister:

 Buddhist prayer beads (to help with stress and to chill out)

an Abalone shell (In case I want to smudge)

A embroidered fox (which was cute)

And a reusable woven bag in army green (super useful)

It was all wrapped up in butterfly wrapping paper and labelled to my free spirited sister.

One problem. I’m not Buddhist, I don't practice Native spirituality  and I don't dabble in anything to do with Wiccan or Pegan practises. I believe people can choose who or what they want to believe in.  I'm Christian and I stay as far away from items used in rituals or that are linked to certain religions like my life depends on it. To me It feels like most of 2022 the world had been trying to get me into witch craft. I'm angry that they used my sister to get to me. It doesn't seem fair.

I asked her what her intensions were in gifting me these things. And why she thought it was a good idea. She like lol your hard to shop for so I went to a witch market my coworker told me about... the same coworker made her buy two sets of Buddhist prayer beads.

Also her boyfriend gifted me a random necklace he found at a thrift store. It has castor beans on it. They cause skin irritation if made wet or broken can seep into your system and cause you to die from dehydration. He gifted me a cursed necklace. its a toxic/ poisonous item... (He didn't know)

Merry fucking Christmas to me. 

[unlila]

Comic Market 104

[night-market-if]

Chapter Six

Welcome to Chapter Six, Public Release. I think this is the chapter that has really gotten the ideas moving for me and while I am taking a brief hiatus, I cannot wait to get back to this story. Please note that there is a cheat sheet for you to rechoose some options at the beginning of this chapter. Twine updated and has broken a lot of codes. If this still does not work, I would suggest deleting cookies, browser history, and restarting your game.

I do hope you all enjoy what is about to transpire and cannot wait to hear your thoughts.

Book 2

If you want more after this chapter, there are a lot of post chapter six shorts up on my Patreon. Be sure to check that out.

[manessha545]

Witches Market, La Paz, Bolivia: The Witches' Market, also known as El Mercado de las Brujas and La Hechiceria, is a popular tourist attraction located in Cerro Cumbre, a mountain clearing in La Paz, Bolivia. Wikipedia

[noahhawthorneauthor]

You've got the 'questionable nature magic that smells like necromancy and probably is folks', and the 'magical found family squads who solve life and falls in love.'

On a completely unrelated note, I wish it was Autumn already.

[nanakathana]

Maji market Delaila stand apreciation post

[breelandwalker]

Upcoming Events:

Styx & Stones on Facebook Follow for upcoming moon markets!

Cottage Witch Market Sunday, July 28 2024, 12pm-6pm Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

Free Spirit Gathering August 6-11, 2024 Camp Ramblewood, Darlington MD Registration & Details on Website Free Spirit Gathering Policies  (PLEASE READ IF PLANNING TO ATTEND) Use my referral link to sign up!

Norse Witch Market Sunday, August 18 2024, 12pm-5pm Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

Pumpkin Witch Market Sunday, Sept 22 2024, 12pm-5pm Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA Hosted by River City Witch Markets

CritWitchCon 2024 September 27-29, 2024 Online Gathering via Zoom “Perception / Perspective Check” Hosted by Critical Thinking Witch Collective

[hexpositive]

Willow Wings Witch Shop - April 2024 Newsletter

[arimiadev]

exactly 1 week left until Witch on the Holy Night, the first TYPE-MOON (non-game play oriented) visual novel to ever be officially localized, releases on Steam on December 14th, 2023.

Witch on the Holy Night / Mahoyo is a coming of age story following Aoko Aozaki, a highschooler who has to balance her class president, perfect grades life with her secret afterschool life of being a mage—a secret she has to keep at the risk of death. Keeping this balance already isn't easy but one day she gets a wrench thrown into it with the introduction of a transfer student, Soujuurou Shizuki, a country boy so out of touch that he's never seen electricity before.

things Mahoyo is:

one of the most visually impressive visual novels ever made

a modern fantasy (1980s) tale about mages and magic intermingling with modern society

a coming of age tale about high schoolers finding themselves in this world

around 30 hours long

somewhat tied to other TYPE-MOON works, namely Garden of Sinners / Kara no Kyoukai and Tsukihime (but can be read without any knowledge of other TYPE-MOON works)

things Mahoyo is not:

a romance visual novel or a dating sim

a visual novel with choices or multiple endings

a video game with gameplay

another Holy Grail war

[witchpony]

✨Witch Aesthetic✨

🌙There are different authors who classify witches into different types. 

🌙I loved these illustrations, so I decided to post them (I found them on Pinterest). But there are no rules for the path you want to follow. Follow your instincts and your tastes.

This artwork belong to: @waterofwhimsy or/and Regan Ralston. 

[sugarcoated-dragon]

-> A certain little bunny was high up, hidden within a nearby tree. He was watching the stranger clean up his gun, gripping his own launcher tightly. This bunny came with a bite. @sea-bunny-lullaby

The witch set his gun aside to pull out a glass ball. It floated before it mirrored an image of a very familiar face.

"What took you so long, you stupid magic casting -"

It was Jesterspace, yelling at Witchlaser with great abandon!

"Look, you creepy psychotic Jester! I have your package! When are you coming to pick it up?"

As the two talked, low growling and high-pitched whining came from the metal box.

"My Biocarved should be there momentarily."