I've recently joined this forum. I'm planning to take up the nomadic lifestyle next year and am wondering if any of you have experience doing markets as you travel around. I make and sell my own jewellery and other craft work. I also collect old wares which I on sell when I find a good market opportunity.
I'd be interested to hear about the experiences of any of you who earn a bit of cash at weekend markets and fairs. I'm figuring out what kind of set up to use. If I decide to take some kind of market stall canopy I need to find one that I can easily put up and down by myself. I'm not particularly tall and haven't the strength for putting up some huge construction. Does any one have any experience or ideas about what kind of canopy I could get?
Information about areas that have good regular markets would also be appreciated.
Thanks
blaze said
01:08 PM Oct 29, 2011
What about a roll out awning on the side of the vehicle for cover. Large cardboard boxes with covers for stands. they fold flat and are strong as long as they are dry cheers blaze
Ma said
01:28 PM Oct 29, 2011
Moruya, Sth Coast NSW has markets every Saturday from 8 till 1
Ulladulla, Sth Coast NSW has markets on the second Sunday of the month 8 till 3
Candelo Sth Coast NSW third Sunday of the month, very good I'm told by a friend who has a stall there, haven't been myself yet.
animalcarer said
04:14 PM Oct 29, 2011
Welcome. Yes thats what Howard and I do just about every weekend, markets, opp shops, garage sales, you name it its a great lifestyle choice.
Oztrail canopy. The only one to get if you are short and on your own. Check oztrail website. You will need some snazzy cabinets to catch the eye for your jewellery, Black velvet is good pressed and stapled on some MDF there are lots of sites out there, that can walk you through presentation. Suggest a lucky dip for boys and girls, again make sure box is eyecatching. Do some trial runs before you take off. I am not sure where you are,
I to like retro stuff, and old antiques, but I fall in love with them myself, so my shipping container is looking decidedly full. I usually buy and sell on gumtree, and markets, havent got into ebay. Some objects I will never sell, like my 1920 Melbourne Tram door, French oak barrel, Old sea chest , shelley china, and vintage clothing. I could talk about vintage retail for hours. But sadly retail is tight in this area, unless you sell in victoria, and perhaps NSW, so we are looking at different products, mainly to do with dogs.
We have 4 dogs, (see travelling with pets) .
You can pm if you like.
Lynette.
Almurta said
08:52 PM Oct 29, 2011
Thanks for your encouraging replies. I agree with a lot of what you say Lynette. I have done market stalls in the past but not for a while. I'll look into getting one of the canopies you mention. I can organise most of the jewellery display myself. just need to get busy making more stock! One thing that has got me really puzzled is how to display cards. I might have to get some kind of small fold up shop fitting or something if I can find a suitable item.
It is hard to work out what to do with the old pieces. I've got a quite a few depression glass pieces - maybe e-baying them before I head off would be the best bet as lugging it all around with me would take up valuable space.
That tram door you mention sounds great. Do you mean that you are storing things in a shipping container while you travel? I'm trying to work out what to do with all my stuff.
I agree with that retail sales are down. I'm in NSW - trade is slow. Getting into pet products sounds like a winner. I'm not an animal person myself. Can't imagine travelling with 4 dogs - I'll check out the thread you mention.
Cheers - Sue
pricey43 said
11:36 PM Oct 29, 2011
We have travelled and have stalls at the markets.
It can be very hit and miss. Not a good source for regular income.
It depends on where you travel. The more outback, the less markets.
Our experience was just as the share markets were crashing, but in the main many people enjoy just looking. We have found that people are being more careful with their money these days. By the time you pay out for insurance which you need for most markets and then the site fees, costs can add up.
Places like Alice Springs that have the market in the Mall, allow you to drive in to set up and pack up once. After that you have to apply for a permit from the council to enter the Mall with a vehicle. This is another cost on top of the site fee.
This being said we enjoyed having the stalls because it really helped us get the feel of the town and the people.
We found that after checking with the Park managers many are happy for you to set up a trading table outside your rig.
I know I sound pretty negative. I am simply saying think it through. By the time you cart all the extras necessary for the market stall, you also have increased fuel. We will probably not cart all the gear again next time.
It's definately easier close to home. Have a stall at the grandchildren's school fair tomorrow so had better get to bed. :)
My daughter displays alot of her cards in small baskets divided into topics with a few pinned on canite display boards.
RALPHRALPH said
09:14 AM Oct 30, 2011
weekend markets are great but some require to have your own insurance
Almurta said
09:44 AM Oct 30, 2011
Interesting feedback Robyn and Ralph. I've been having second thoughts about the idea overnight. I know what you mean about markets where people are looking but not buying. I've done quite a few of them myself. It's very disheartening. This is probably not a good time for me to invest a lot of time and money into setting up a new retail venture. After all this lifestyle change is about de-stressing not adding more stress. I was in Europe earlier this year and the financial crisis is really biting over there. I know we are in a different situation over here but it made me think about how volatile the whole economic situation is.
The logistics of doing it while travelling are more complex than I thought. I've never come across the idea of getting a council permit or having to take out insurance before. The markets in this area don't require that. Robyn's idea of doing markets close to home is a good one. I like the idea for displaying cards - I'll figure out a similar set up.
Thanks for all your feedback. It's really helping me get clear about what kind of lifestyle I want to have when I take to the open road next year.
AmandaJayne said
11:51 AM Oct 30, 2011
I was hoping I might sell some of my sketches while travelling around to help out now and then
pricey43 said
11:39 AM Oct 31, 2011
AmandaJayne, if your sketches are of the local area you might do okay. Perhaps ask if you could display some in reception of caravan parks or have an add on the info board with your site no.
Hi,
I've recently joined this forum. I'm planning to take up the nomadic lifestyle next year and am wondering if any of you have experience doing markets as you travel around. I make and sell my own jewellery and other craft work. I also collect old wares which I on sell when I find a good market opportunity.
I'd be interested to hear about the experiences of any of you who earn a bit of cash at weekend markets and fairs. I'm figuring out what kind of set up to use. If I decide to take some kind of market stall canopy I need to find one that I can easily put up and down by myself. I'm not particularly tall and haven't the strength for putting up some huge construction. Does any one have any experience or ideas about what kind of canopy I could get?
Information about areas that have good regular markets would also be appreciated.
Thanks
cheers
blaze
Moruya, Sth Coast NSW has markets every Saturday from 8 till 1
Ulladulla, Sth Coast NSW has markets on the second Sunday of the month 8 till 3
Candelo Sth Coast NSW third Sunday of the month, very good I'm told by a friend who has a stall there, haven't been myself yet.
Welcome. Yes thats what Howard and I do just about every weekend, markets, opp shops, garage sales, you name it its a great lifestyle choice.
Oztrail canopy. The only one to get if you are short and on your own. Check oztrail website. You will need some snazzy cabinets to catch the eye for your jewellery, Black velvet is good pressed and stapled on some MDF there are lots of sites out there, that can walk you through presentation. Suggest a lucky dip for boys and girls, again make sure box is eyecatching. Do some trial runs before you take off. I am not sure where you are,
I to like retro stuff, and old antiques, but I fall in love with them myself, so my shipping container is looking decidedly full. I usually buy and sell on gumtree, and markets, havent got into ebay. Some objects I will never sell, like my 1920 Melbourne Tram door, French oak barrel, Old sea chest , shelley china, and vintage clothing. I could talk about vintage retail for hours. But sadly retail is tight in this area, unless you sell in victoria, and perhaps NSW, so we are looking at different products, mainly to do with dogs.
We have 4 dogs, (see travelling with pets) .
You can pm if you like.
Lynette.
Thanks for your encouraging replies. I agree with a lot of what you say Lynette. I have done market stalls in the past but not for a while. I'll look into getting one of the canopies you mention. I can organise most of the jewellery display myself. just need to get busy making more stock! One thing that has got me really puzzled is how to display cards. I might have to get some kind of small fold up shop fitting or something if I can find a suitable item.
It is hard to work out what to do with the old pieces. I've got a quite a few depression glass pieces - maybe e-baying them before I head off would be the best bet as lugging it all around with me would take up valuable space.
That tram door you mention sounds great. Do you mean that you are storing things in a shipping container while you travel? I'm trying to work out what to do with all my stuff.
I agree with that retail sales are down. I'm in NSW - trade is slow. Getting into pet products sounds like a winner. I'm not an animal person myself. Can't imagine travelling with 4 dogs - I'll check out the thread you mention.
Cheers - Sue
It can be very hit and miss. Not a good source for regular income.
It depends on where you travel. The more outback, the less markets.
Our experience was just as the share markets were crashing, but in the main many people enjoy just looking. We have found that people are being more careful with their money these days. By the time you pay out for insurance which you need for most markets and then the site fees, costs can add up.
Places like Alice Springs that have the market in the Mall, allow you to drive in to set up and pack up once. After that you have to apply for a permit from the council to enter the Mall with a vehicle. This is another cost on top of the site fee.
This being said we enjoyed having the stalls because it really helped us get the feel of the town and the people.
We found that after checking with the Park managers many are happy for you to set up a trading table outside your rig.
I know I sound pretty negative. I am simply saying think it through. By the time you cart all the extras necessary for the market stall, you also have increased fuel. We will probably not cart all the gear again next time.
It's definately easier close to home. Have a stall at the grandchildren's school fair tomorrow so had better get to bed. :)
My daughter displays alot of her cards in small baskets divided into topics with a few pinned on canite display boards.
weekend markets are great but some require to have your own insurance
Interesting feedback Robyn and Ralph. I've been having second thoughts about the idea overnight. I know what you mean about markets where people are looking but not buying. I've done quite a few of them myself. It's very disheartening. This is probably not a good time for me to invest a lot of time and money into setting up a new retail venture. After all this lifestyle change is about de-stressing not adding more stress.
I was in Europe earlier this year and the financial crisis is really biting over there. I know we are in a different situation over here but it made me think about how volatile the whole economic situation is.
The logistics of doing it while travelling are more complex than I thought. I've never come across the idea of getting a council permit or having to take out insurance before. The markets in this area don't require that. Robyn's idea of doing markets close to home is a good one. I like the idea for displaying cards - I'll figure out a similar set up.
Thanks for all your feedback. It's really helping me get clear about what kind of lifestyle I want to have when I take to the open road next year.
I was hoping I might sell some of my sketches while travelling around to help out now and then