Lazy Hazy Sundays

Image courtesy of Kenart Corp

As you know I've been doing the Sunday market for years, it's gone through fits and stages of being great and then very quiet. A few weeks back the guys from The Blind Pig took over the entertainment at the market, and have labelled it Lazy Hazy Sundays. There have been a mix of live music and Dj's and the combination works really well. I was delighted when I heard that they were taking it over as they run one of my favourite bars in Limerick The Blind Pig and Dr.John's. 

Even though I was 'at work' I had a super chilled out day. While I was setting up I could hear the really relaxing music that was being played for the Yoga and Tai Chi classes(it's only €2 per class, yoga at 11am and Tai Chi at 12pm). I got the most amazing crepe from Bon Appetit; buckwheat crepe with spinach, feta, pesto, olives, sundried tomatoes and bacon, it was heaven on a plate. Then I had a good old natter with some tourists who were passing through who also loved buttons and books! It's quiet enough that I can read my book at the stall guilt free(Wrong About Japan by Peter Carey), but busy enough that I still make money, the perfect balance! I then gave into temptation and had some yummy chocolate from The Limerick Chocolate Shop with a cup of tea from Mari's. 

Image courtesy of Kenart Corp

My friend John Greenwood was DJ-ing on Sunday and he hit the perfect balance of retro laid back jazz with more lively funky tunes. I found myself bopping about a bit while I was reading or chatting. The week previous the weather was so nice a bunch of us stayed for a glass of wine in Mari's after packing up the stall, it's was just so lovely(she also sells amazing cheese plates as pictured above...nom,nom!). There was a moment when I thought to myself with a chuckle 'this is my job', and I had a warm fuzzy feeling at how lucky I am.

Image courtesy of Kenart Corp

Hopefully more people will cotton on to the fact that it's a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, which in turn would mean that we could get more traders. At the moment it feels like the seeds to something pretty special.

This Sunday there is a record fair which will have over 30 vendors selling vintage vinyl, cds and music paraphernalia. My friends John cowpar and Doc who owned Blackspot Records at various stages are organising the event.  I'm really looking forward to it, I'll just have to restrain myself from spending too much money!

Thanks a million to my college buddy Ken from Kenart Corp for the super images!

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The Big Move for The Sunday Market

I went down to the Milk Market today to have a look at the fancy new interior and I'm so impressed. I met one of the organisers, Chris, and we had a chat about the stalls, layout and the facilities there. We will all be provided with our own stand, and even tables, which will make my life so much easier since I haul down all my stock on a trolly. He is also encouraging people to have their logos printed on vinyle sheeting, so that wel all look colourful and disttinctive from each other. When it's all totally finished it going to look really amazing and I'm so excited to be moving into it.

When I heard that they were putting a roof on it I was delighted because of the weather cover it will provide, but to be honest a part of me was concerned that it would be dark and gloomy. But I was delighted to see today how light and airy the space feels, and the canopy nearly adds a glowing white light to the space...very serene and stat treky looking.

The dates for the opening are slightly different than what I had thought initially. Tomorrow will be my last Suday at the Bedford Row market, and we will be taking a break for one week, and then we will commence trading on Sunday 20th of June. A small part of me will be a little sad to leave Bedford Row after 3 years of trading there every week, but what we are getting in exchange far out weighs that.

Getting Organised

I usually bring some sewing with me to the market for two reasons. 1: So people can see that the pieces are made by me, and not by children in a sweatshop! I ended up talking to lots of customers at the market because the tell me stories about their mothers sewing lots, or their grannies button boxes, it's fun! 2: Sometimes it can get really boring if it's quiet and I would prefer to be doing something contructive rather that staring at the stall holder across from me. What I've been doing before was to bung a load of felt, thread and buttons into a box, and work things out when I got there. This mostly led to me making either ugly brooches that didn't match, or lots of half finished pieces. I was over at my favourite blog Lupin and she showed her whip box of tricks. She pre-cuts and bags all her pieces. Genius!!! I tried it on Sunday and I got loads made, with no waste. So yesterday I pre-cut 30 brooches, bagged them up, and they are ready to go. When they are finished all I do is staple a tag onto the bag and they are ready to sell, how handy is that??

Ps: there is a possibility of me maybe getting a pitch at the much sought after Saturday Milk Market in Limerick....if all of you could collectively cross your fingers for me I might be in with a chance!

1950's Pin-ups

Here are some cards I made yesterday. They are collaged together from some lovely paper I got in my local craft shop, odds and ends of ribbon, and a great 1950's pin-up book that I got in HMV about a year ago. I carefully cut around the ladies and then root through my box of papers to find patterns and colours that will match them. I also got a great label maker in Lidl ages ago, so I make sarcastic little comments for some of them. I'm also using my new stamp for the back of the cards instead of including a business card. This is way better as the recipient sees the logo and not just the sender. I really love making cards, I know there is not much money to be made from them compared to the time and materials that go into each one, but I enjoy it too much to stop making them.

I'll be selling them tomorrow at the Sunday Market in Limerick City, on Bedford Row, 12-5pm. They are 4 euro each or 3 for 10 euro, 0r if you wish to buy them online just contact me. This is my first week back at the market since Christmas Eve, I always get a little nervous going back, which is silly I know. It will be really nice to see all the other stall holders again, as there is a lovely sense of community between us. There is a great mix of gourmet foods and handcrafts on sale. I'll try to remember to bring my camera so I can post somepictures for you guys.

New Brooches

In preparation for the Sunday Bedford Row market starting back this week I've gone into brooch making over drive. I'm not sure if I'll make it this week, but definitely from the following Sunday this Christmas I'll be selling there every week from 12-5pm. Part of me excited to go back, and the other part is sad to say goodbye to my Sundays again, it is such a lovely day to have off.

Here is what I made yesterday, I won't be listing them in my Etsy shop, so if you want to pick one up they are 10 euro each at my stall.

Hope to see you there :)