Or "The tale of the Petone Indoor Markets"Let me tell you a story. Are you sitting comfortably? Good, then I'll begin!  The 2017 Poster Kitties Planting the seedAn idea germinates; organisational therapy; a search for a venue; defining the market; what a response! In early 2017, it came to my attention that there really weren’t any craft events in Lower Hutt, particularly in winter. It was, of course, essential for them to be indoors, and so the search for a suitable venue began. I made a call-out for interested stallholders, to gauge interest (which would influence the size of the venue), and began hunting.
Initially, I had intended the event to be something small, where I would offer coaching to my Copper Catkin Consulting students, and they would be able to have a go in a low-pressure market environment – but the idea blew up! The levels of interest were definitely high enough to justify the event, so I began to plan.
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BackgroundAs a market event organiser, and a stallholder with a few years' experience under my belt, I often get asked for advice by people considering giving markets a go themselves. I have watched small businesses come and go over the years, and had several first-timers at my own events. I like to use the life cycle of a butterfly as a good example of how things can work out for a nascent business - as long as the caterpillar stallholder stocks up on plenty of knowledge, planning, and products before taking its shot at butterflydom, they have a reasonable shot at success. To help identify levels of experience, we classify our makers according to the following criteria: Level 0 - Caterpillar – not approved to sell at Wrought but has potential Level A – Chrysalis or other new sellers – approved to sell on half-sized stalls Level B – Butterfly - Standard approved sellers Level C – Sellers approved for showcase spots – experienced makers who have the capability to stock and fill a showcase stall space professionally and attractively, and who can demonstrate a skill or give workshops onsite.  Course ContentButterfly courses explore the content of the short Caterpillar course in more detail, with particular focus on display and interaction. The following topics will be released throughout 2018 in online format:
Physical workshops - Workshop #1 – Stall display - Butterfly levelLength: 4.5 hours (includes half hour meal break) Prerequisites
Outcome: Stallholders will have a strong concept for their display, and a plan (with goals and deadlines) for making any changes required. Stallholders will be held accountable for meeting their targets by themselves, and the rest of the group. Physical workshops - Workshop #1 – Selling at markets - Butterfly levelPrerequisites
As with the caterpillar course, we will focus on role-playing in pairs to get comfortable with different customer types, then we will brainstorm our ideal customer for our products. We will review cash handling and the mechanics of a sale, with more detail about inventory management, payment methods, and customer delighters. We will also practice dealing with difficult customers, disengaging from talkers, and how to cope when friends visit our stall. Outcome: Stallholders will leave with a clear idea of how to interact with a range of customer types, and a better sense of their own ideal customer, and how to attract them and turn them into loyal followers. They will also have confidence in their ability to manage the sales process, and gain some tips and tricks to delight the customer.  Wrought was launched to bring a new flavour to makers’ markets in the Wellington region, and a big part of that is to encourage new artists and creatives to join to market scene – but it can be daunting! Rather than simply refuse to have stallholders on board until they have done the hard yards and proven their quality, at Wrought, we have decided to embrace our emerging artists and new makers with the Wrought Chrysalis package. But what do you get? Firstly, eligible stallholders are able to book spaces a Wrought events at the Chrysalis price - $10 off the price of a half table (not available for larger spaces, limited numbers available). As well as the discounted table, Chrysalis stallholders will also receive group pre- and post-market coaching and debrief, and goal-setting. The package offering is valid for up to 3 markets. The Chrysalis Package must be booked all together in a single transaction. How do you become eligible for Wrought Chrysalis?In order to be eligible for the Chrysalis package, a stallholder must complete the 5-day free online "Very Crafty Caterpillar" course; the 5-day mini market makeover course; pass the online quiz; and at least one of the two paid in-person Caterpillar courses (including meeting goals set at the course). The 3 Chrysalis markets do not need to be consecutive, but must be booked within 6 months of completion of the Caterpillar workshops. Discounts are non-transferable. As with all Wrought spaces, stalls may not be shared with other makers without approval. If sharing a table with another approved maker, the discount will only apply to the Chrysalis half of the table, and makers will be approved and invoiced separately. Chrysalis stallholders who choose to move up to a standard stall before their 3 market Chrysalis "ticket" has been used up forfeit future discounts. For example, if, after 2 markets at the Chrysalis price, a stallholder wishes to upgrade stall size to a full standard table, they will need to pay the difference of $40. They will still receive the coaching if desired for that event. Upon completion of 3 Chrysalis markets, makers may wish to attend a Butterfly course.   The Very Crafty Caterpillar As a market event organiser, and a stallholder with a few years' experience under my belt, I often get asked for advice by people considering giving markets a go themselves. I have watched small businesses come and go over the years, and had several first-timers at my own events. I like to use the life cycle of a butterfly as a good example of how things can work out for a nascent business - as long as the caterpillar stallholder stocks up on plenty of knowledge, planning, and products before taking its shot at butterflydom, they have a reasonable shot at success. To help identify levels of experience, we classify our makers according to the following criteria: Level 0 - Caterpillar – not approved to sell at Wrought but has potential Level A – Chrysalis or other new sellers – approved to sell on half-sized stalls Level B – Butterfly - Standard approved sellers Level C – Sellers approved for showcase spots – experienced makers who have the capability to stock and fill a showcase stall space professionally and attractively, and who can demonstrate a skill or give workshops onsite. Some of the questions I hear a lot as an organiser are:
We can help you with all of these questions and more through the Copper Catkin Consulting Caterpillar Courses. These courses are bite-sized online classes, delivered in a 5-day email series, that culminate in a quiz and two physical workshops where you can try out your stall design and fine-tune your sales skills before your very first market.  BONUS
Stallholders whose displays meet requirements will also receive their Wrought Chrysalis ticket, which gives access to the 3-market Chrysalis package. Stallholders who complete their goals and then meet requirements will also be eligible for the Chrysalis ticket upon completion. Please note that putative stallholders who do not complete the course (including meeting their goals), or who do not pass the assessments, will not be eligible for the Chrysalis package, and may not be approved as Wrought sellers. 
Our new Goody Voucher concept went brilliantly in August, so we're happy to announce that they will be available again in September! All you have to do in come in the door, do the lollipop luck dip, and see if you have won a voucher! Then, hunt down your stallholder and claim your gift, treat, or discount! #simple
What could be on my voucher?
Freebies, discounts, treats with purchase, and more! Follow us on Facebook and find out! Watch this post...
What time are the vouchers available?
Come in the door between 10.30-11, and between 12.30-1, while vouchers last!
See you at Petone Winter Markets, 16th of September, 10.30am to 3pm! Meg Prebble from Dora Papers is one of our wonderful stallholders at Petone Winter Markets - but that's not all she does! She teaches, makes, and has exhibitions, and her work is instantly recognisable. Let's get to know her a bit more today. An Introduction to MegKia ora, I'm Meg Prebble, I'm an artist and crafter who loves working with paper. I make a wide range of things - from mini book earrings to metre-tall pohutukawa trees, marbled papers and pop up cards. The two unifying factors are my ongoing fascination with the possibilities of paper, and the native bush and birds of Aotearoa NZ.  How did Dora Papers come about?The origins for Dora Papers came from the earrings I made for myself. I've always loved working with paper, enjoying both quilling and marbling as a child. A few years ago I made a range of these wonderfully lightweight paper earring for myself, and it just made sense to share them with others. Of course I needed a name, and chose to recognise the woman who always inspired and encouraged my art and craft - my grandmother, Dora Bagnall. I've branched out a lot since those early days, and have continued to develop and refine my paper art techniques.  The Paper Art of Meg Prebble I have an exhibition on! The Paper Art of Meg Prebble opens at Alfred Memelink's Artspace Gallery in Petone on September 9th, and runs until October 8th. A range of my work will be on display, including paper plants big and small, life-sized bird paintings in watercolour and marbling, and marbled bird earrings the size of a thumbnail.
What are you working on now? Right now, writing this in the week leading up to the exhibition, I'm finishing the last few bits of work for it, with some cabbage tree branches to go. I also have a number of hot air balloons and dirigibles in various stages of completion currently cluttering up my table - look out for them at the next Petone Winter Market, September 16th!
What were the exhibition details again?The Paper Art of Meg Prebble opens on 9th September, and runs until October 8th. At the Alfred Memelink Artspace gallery on the Petone forshore, which is open Tues-Sun, 10-5. I hope you stop by for a look, and if you want to say hi to me come to the opening, September 9th 2-4pm. Where can we find out more?Find Dora Papers on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DoraPapers/ Find Alfred Memelink on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alfred.Memelink.Artist/ Find "The Paper Art of Meg Prebble" event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/474401359583103 Or come and see Meg at Petone Winter Market - September: https://www.facebook.com/events/1790237141305899/  A photographic tourWhen you walk around a busy craft market, you don't often get the chance to take everything in. There are so many amazing things to see that it can be a sort of sensory overload. This feeling is why I always recommend that people take one walk all the way around first, then come back for a second, more detailed look. If you only go around once, there's so much you can miss! Filling in the gapsWe're going to break up our visit into manageable chunks. This post will cover the last 13 stalls in the hall (in yellow).   A photographic tourWhen you walk around a busy craft market, you don't often get the chance to take everything in. There are so many amazing things to see that it can be a sort of sensory overload. This feeling is why I always recommend that people take one walk all the way around first, then come back for a second, more detailed look. If you only go around once, there's so much you can miss! Round the outsideWe're going to break up our visit into manageable chunks. This post will cover the first 13 stalls around the outside walls of the hall (in yellow).   A photographic tourWhen you walk around a busy craft market, you don't often get the chance to take everything in. There are so many amazing things to see that it can be a sort of sensory overload. This feeling is why I always recommend that people take one walk all the way around first, then come back for a second, more detailed look. If you only go around once, there's so much you can miss! Starting at the startWe're going to break up our visit into manageable chunks. This post will cover the entranceway and the lobby.  July's Competition winnerWe had some really great entries to last months' colouring competition - and young Holly was our winner!
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