Winter Handmade Market

9 June 2014 

Between the Autumn and the Winter handmade market, Fenon have done 2 weddings, 2 workplace markets, 2 photoshoots, and even went back to work in florever florist, twice.

I don’t normally do winter markets as I’ve been advised not to. I’ve been told that people don’t normally like wearing earrings because of the ‘scarf issue’. But now that I’m doing this full time I don't have much choice in the matter. I didn’t think that I would sell a lot, but things took quite a turn when I decided to make my new planters.

Over mothers day week, I did 2 lunch time mini markets in The Prime Minister Cabinet and Department of Social Services. I always have an identity crisis in markets because I have no way to tell people that I’m also a florist- and it’s always awkward to tell people that I do both. I decided to sell single wrapped giant Chrysanthemum over the markets to fix that problem. Unfortunately it didn't work out very well as some of the flowers I bought fell apart as I unwrap them, and I literally only sold 1 flower over the 2 market period. So yea... scrap that idea....

So I decided to make what I thought was going to be terrariums at the time- but I promised myself not to invest too much into it  just in case it fell apart like the mothers day chrysanthemum. I didn’t really know how though because it means I will have to buy some glass wares in bulk to do them- UNTIL that fateful day when I had my friend Lauren Gordon (from Laurel & Lace) over for lunch. We were just going to hang out to talk about floristry stuff but then got distracted and she took me out to the tip. I NEVER go to the tip, but 30 minutes shopping in there with Lauren got me completely hooked. We walked out of there with old suit cases, a trolley full or glass ware, some other random pieced of 'junk' and a big grin in both of our faces. So yea… the trip to the tip was a turning point of my life.

That only happened 3 weeks before the winter market. After doing some research I started making these ‘planters’. I called them planters because they’re not confined in a jar with a lid like a terrarium. They’re just a plant inside a glass container with an in-build drainage.  Unlike terrarium I like the idea of being able to reach the plants to pluck the dead leaves/flowers to encourage new growth. 

Now that the market is over, I’m stoked to see that the plants are getting sold and people like the idea of my planters inside pre loved containers. More importantly, it made Fenon both a jewellery and plant 'shop' and have created its own niche market. 

The winter market in itself was really good too. I thought everyone are away for the long weekend, but actually the crowd turn out is pretty good. I get happy every time I see my regulars (you know who you are!). The best complement I had over the weekend was this lady who had a browse at my stuff, left, and later came back and told me that she had looked at everything in the market and none of them stood out as much as my wire jewellery. Oh man, I feel like I’m flying! What a complement, seriously!  Sometimes before going to the market I feel like my stuff is so boring cause everyone else’s is so ridiculously awesome. Her words made me feel so good, I didn't care that she didn’t buy anything. She could even be lying and all but she made me feel so positive I really don’t mind. So thank you very much to all my regulars and to the mystery lady for making my job awesome!