#i'd also like to sell some prints and stickers this summer

[yurucamp]

graduated on saturday! hopefully i can draw a little more now

[msdanigart]

My Art Market Tables Over the Years

I'm new to being a vendor at handmade and small business markets. Here's what I've done so far and what I've learned.

-------------

November 2019- Trini Market 868- University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

This was when I was still Ms. Dani G Illustration, creating my fairy fantasy artworks. My table was totally DIYed, made of cardboard, that sticky contact paper you use to cover the insides of your drawers and cupboards and popsicle sticks.

It was very hodge-podge and I think it's my favourite table! It looks so full of life! I Definitely brought too much stuff though. It's a bit overwhelming. Too much variety and too little organisation.

The crowd was great and I sold one of my original paintings! Overall, wonderful first experience!

Table cost- $375 (early bird discount) Money made- $175

April 2022- South Marker- C3 Mall, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

I was still Ms. Dani G Illustration, still creating my fairy fantasy art. I brought a lot less this time, but there was still a decent assortment of products. Prints, zines, stickers, tiny originals, handmade jewellery. I sold a few of everything except the original paintings. Stickers were the best seller.

I think this was definitely my best table in terms of set-up and product variety. Everything has its own place and products can be seen and looked through easily. I did less decoration, wish I did more. My table felt really small compared to some of the others I saw there.

The crowd was a mixed bag. Younger people liked my stuff, but some of them had to ask Mum and Dad to buy. Mum and Dad threw some side-eyes. Older people in general weren't too interested.

Overall, alright experience, glad it wasn't my first, because I would have been crushed tbh.

Table cost- $400 Money made- $172

November 2023 South Market- C3 Mall, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

My first market as Ms. Dani G Art with my patterns and abstracts. I only came with originals for this one, as I couldn't afford other products. I also wanted to focus on selling my paintings.

I DIYed the yellow and white stand and used my assortment of mini easels as displays. Some of my art was also framed. This set-up is very simple as I wanted everything to be clearly seen at a glance. I think it looks a bit too disjointed even though everything on the table is in the same category.

This was my worst market by far because I sold nothing! Luckily, that market in particular was a bust for almost everyone else too.

The crowd was the opposite of last time. A lot of young people who would have loved my old art, but didn't give two hoots about my current art. I made a video series about this market here.

Table cost- $450 Money made- $0

Conclusion:

-I like the personality of my first two tables and I need to bring that back for my future tables.

-The 2nd table had the best set-up and product variety. I'm not yet at a place where I can sell just my paintings, so I need to bring back that product variety for my next table (I have many plans!)

-Try a new location to find new clientele. C3 hasn't worked out well so far. South Market has other locations and so does Trini Market.

-Try new dates, particularly holidays. Holiday markets have the biggest crowds. I can plan ahead so I can participate in one or a few.

-Save up for those expensive AF tables. $400-$500 seems to be the standard price for tables and 2 chairs (this is in TTD by the way, not USD)

------------

This year (2024) I plan to do an August (summer) market. I want to do another Trini Market because they're closer to home and the crowd is more appreciative of art. I also plan to try a different location at South Market.

Someday I would also like to table at a local comic convention with my personal art ( @adinelleggreeo ) I'm slowly creating things I enjoy again and I'd like to try selling some of them without pressure.