Those who know me really well know that I am terrified of
the spotlight, I am terrified of speaking in public, and I would rather go to
the dentist with a cavity than sell my own work.
However, I also truly believe that I can use the talents
that I have to make this world a better place, and if I have to do all of the
above to achieve that goal, I am more than willing to do every one of those
things and more.
There are tricks I have learned that have made going to
the market less of a terrifying experience, and more one of pleasure. I
will share these tricks with you at the end of this post, but let me share a
bit more of my experience first.
Before my first public market, I was a complete mess.
I love my work the way every parent loves their child, and to have it on
display and have complete strangers approach me and judge it right before my
eyes... >>shudder<<
I have been very fortunate that there was not a single
person since I placed my work on public display that bashed my work.
(There was once a woman terrified of owls who pulled her friend away from
my stand, but that's about all the negative feedback I have ever received.)
Most people at markets and online love my work.
Even people who do not have children tell me that they love my work and
that they wish they had children to share it with. As an artist
struggling to make a living doing what I love such words are a balm to my soul.
There are some people who do not have children that buy an image I
created for the child they once were. (I always do that at markets J.)
However, there are people who pass by my work giving it
no more than a glance.
There are also people who pass by my work, take a good
look at it, and then run away before I have time to say "Hello."
Going to the market I have realised that no matter how
good my work is, it is not a necessity. Nobody needs art to survive.
People buy art because looking at it makes them happy, not because they
need it to be happy. The only people who buy my work are the ones who: love
books and appreciate the time and skill it took to create mine (as well as the
top-notch quality); find my book useful for teaching children; are looking to
decorate a kid's room; need a baby-shower gift; or find an image that speaks to
them personally.
Those people are my customers. Therefore, to earn a
living, I should only go to markets that cater to such customers.
Sadly, Toronto Indie Arts Market in not the market
populated by such attendees. A few of them stroll by from time to time,
but most people who attend are not there looking for children's art and quality
children's books. Toronto Indie Arts Market is in the artsy area of the
city frequented by artists, people on-the-go, and historically-minded tourists.
At this market people are looking for artsy prints, out-there works of
art, zines, comics, wearable art, home-made soaps, and unusual gifts.
So, what am I doing at TIAM?
I will answer that, but first let me tell you what I have
promised to tell you in the title of this post.
It does not matter how many markets I have attended,
before every market I am a mess. I am obsessed with providing quality,
and not just the quality of my work, but quality of presentation as well.
I have to have my handmade receipts, stickers, shopping bags, and display
sets just right. I have to have the appropriate clothing and name tags for
myself and my voulonteers. After all if I could find fault with
something, why should I expect my future customer to overlook that fault?
On the last day, before I go to sleep, all my boxes and bags are packed
strategically in a grown-up Tetris fashion.
On the day of the market, I wake up early. I have a
sizeable breakfast, because experience has taught me that I will not have time
to eat (snacking on a pretzel, or some nuts, is all I can manage during the
day). Besides, as an artist and creator I feel I should always be there
to answer questions and sign my work. Taking half an hour for lunch is just not
practical.
After breakfast, I get dressed and apply makeup so I do
not look as tired as I feel. I check that I have everything by checking
off items on a list, and I stuff all I'm bringing into a car. Then, because there are always parking issues,
I get someone to drop me off (usually my dad).
Arriving at the market, I wonder if I will get a bad
spot. Ever since my horrible position at my first market (The Word On The
Street 2013), I have become slightly obsessed with having a good location.
A good location makes a difference between earning a living, or getting into
more debt.
This past Saturday, my location was not good. I was
placed at the bar, and my work was too high up to be seen by children. I
was also trapped where I was by my neighbours. I had about a foot and a
half square of space to move in. But, that is the luck of the draw for a
market that does not let you choose your spot.
I just have to make do with what I’ve got.
My sister (who was my volunteer for the day) helped me to
set up our display. The moment we were
ready she took my photo so that I could have one to share online. Full
disclosure: I do not like having my picture taken, but I am the face of Mili
Fay Art, so I need to have at least one photo for display.
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| Mili Fay at TIAM |
If there is time, I go quickly through the market to meet
my fellow artists. I love meeting new artists and seeing their work.
I always feel bad for not making purchases, but I have made a deal with
myself that I will not buy anything on the days go vending; unless I find
something I need and not something I want. So, I take the cards from
artists I admire and put them in the wish-list pile at home.
This time, the following artists caught my eye:
The fabulous earrings of "The FEEL
Collection":
The unusual style of Paper Dog Press:
Quillad and Geek Collateral Media:
A whole world in a bowl! Charming terrariums by
"Field Day Terrariums":
Beautiful ink illustrations and book of Dan Holst
Soelberg:
Stunning wearable handmade paper art of "FoldIT
Creations":
Funny and beautiful cards by "Gotamago":
Fantasy art by MJ Alexander:
Gorgeous jewellery by "Mizdragonfly":
"Sweatshop" home-sewn bags and products by
young and talented students:
Before 11 am any market tends to be slow. Attendance
picks up around 11:30 and a steady stream of people keeps coming until 3 pm.
There are no breaks during that time. If you are planning to take a
break at your market, have one outside of that timeframe. Once, I went
for a walk to stretch my legs, because there were no customers for a while, and
the moment I was in the other room I got a call from my friend to get my butt
back at the table to sign my work. Lesson learned.
I always remain standing. It is something I have
learned from my previous markets and from working as a CSR at Blockbuster.
Standing is a sign of respect. By standing, you also show you are
approachable, engaged, and are not just waiting for time to go buy.
So, why do I go to TIAM when I know my customers are not
to be found there?
Because I always meet interesting people, I get to see
who buys my work (market research), and I love the way it feels when people try
to convince me that my work is amazing. :-D Having an option to sit
at home, or interact with artists and interesting people, I will always choose
the latter. I feel I'm always learning something. Even if I do not make a
sale, I usually make some friends and earn useful advice. Besides TIAM is affordable enough that I will
not cry myself to sleep if I do not cover the costs of vending. (Thankfully,
that has not happened to this day.)
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| Cutest Fan--Thank you dad for allowing us to take this picture. |
I also love seeing children's reactions to my work.
If kids do not like something, you will know. I create the work for
them and seeing their eyes light up and their faces filled with wonder is the
best encouragement to continue doing what I am. And there are days when I
need that encouragement. On those days I recall their happy faces, and I
get by.
Sadly, because I have invested heavily in other future
markets, I will no longer attend a mixed-media TIAM, but I will continue to
attend all book events, and if they decide to have an all children's event, I
will be there for sure.
At last I will tell you the tricks that get me over the
terror of THE MARKET:
Stop thinking of it as THE MARKET; stop thinking of making
money to cover the costs (thinking of it does not help), and just enjoy sharing
your work with others. If "disasters" happen, think of them as
"funny stories to be" that you can share with your followers.
NO ONE will tell you that your work sucks, but if you feel they are
thinking it, ask them about it so you can learn and improve. You will
never please everyone, so do not bother to try. Do what you love, and
share your work with others of the same mind--no matter what you are doing
there are people out there who are dying to discover your work, going to the market
helps you find them.
Well, this post is long enough.
If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask.
Cheers!
Mili
