Time to buy more “made in China” junk

The jolly season means only one thing in these desperate economic times and that is cheaper, tackier gifts sold by the truckload in supermarkets and online. It also means more “made in China” tat because as we have less disposable income, and even less time put up with the scrum that is Christmas shopping (that’s it I said it).

Paradoxically there are more and more designer makers, 23,000 micro-businesses in the crafts sector according to the Craft Council. However, most of these people don’t make a living out of their activity. We all pay for tax credit to top up their income whilst giant corporations and manufacturers reap the profits from selling their formatted wares made by underpaid workers in faraway places.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy gifts from these small creative businesses, supporting the local economy and getting an original, British made item crafted with love and care?

So, for Christmas, why don’t we shift our habits just a little by visiting local Christmas markets like The Dandy Lion Market and specialised websites like Etsy and Folksy? You don’t even have to buy anything, just browse and you will be amazed by the sheer variety of products on sale. You’ll soon realise that what the big companies offer is far from satisfactory when you want originality and a fair deal for all concerned.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/vivelarep?ref=hdr_shop_menu

https://folksy.com/shops/vivelarepublique

The special Christmas edition of the Dandy Lion Market will be held at a fab new venue, The Sir Richard Steele 97 Haverstock Hill, NW3, between Chalk Farm and Belsize Park. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/dandylionmarket

Please like us on Facebook, it makes a huge difference to small businesses. Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vive-la-R%C3%A9publique/747999408550118

CRAFTIVIST COLLECTIVE AT THE V&A

The French love politics and so do I. I came to live in this country over 30 years ago at the tail end of Punk. Punk was not only about music, it was inspired by May 68 in Paris, Situationism and its confrontational slogans. I used to edit a best selling Punk fanzine in the late 90’s, an extension of my copywriting activities. I have also designed textile homeware accessories embellished with appliqué and stitched slogans. Putting together words and textile is an attractive way to put your message across.

When the Occupy movement moved to St Paul’s, I went to visit the site. There were posters, banners, slogans that people put on the walls for others to read, take pictures and interact. I went back with my own poster about bankers’ greed and hung it. People started to take pictures immediately.

I had never heard of the Craftivist Collective, but when the V&A put up an event in Spring 2014, I was intrigued and I went. I loved the concept of the collective and atmosphere of the workshop. I decided to renew the experience so I came back on 7th September, to stitch a mini-banner about world poverty.

                                       

I had planned my slogan a long time ago: In some African languages, poor and alone are the same word. I stitched it at the V&A, met interesting people and shared my views and theories about Craftivism. Russell Brand turned up because his mum was one of the volunteer I had been talking to. She had found my banner deeply poignant.

 

Russell Brand and Sarah Corbett founder of the Craftivist Collective. Brand was very interested in Sarah's book about Craftivism. You can buy it online at her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/craftivistcollective?ref=ss_profile

Russell Brand came also to visit because of the Disobedient Objects free exhibition at the museum about protests from the 70’s up to now. I went to view it later and I found stitched banners similar to what we had made in the afternoon. 

I wanted the mini-banner to reflect my own background. I stitched Toile de Jouy on top, a fabric first created at the time of the French Revolution. I glued a penny on top.

I planned to hang the banner on 11th September at Bank. 9/11 and the financial crisis have been the two most traumatising events of the last decade. The direct consequence was a destabilised world with even worse poverty¸ inequality, neglect and contempt for ordinary people. My mini-banner was an attempt to stir opposite forces against the overwhelming negativity of the place, Bank, and the occasion, 9/11.

I hung the mini-banner on the tube station rails, the Bank of England on my right, the Royal exchange opposite, under the gaze of the statue of the Duke of Wellington, at the heart of the City and the Establishment. Tourists started to take pictures. I stayed there a few minutes, City type men rushed past it without taking any notice. It didn’t matter. It was mission accomplished as far as I was concerned.

What Sarah Corbett has created with her Craftivist Collective is a challenge to the consensus and the received wisdom that only organised protest within define frames is possible. She has shown that ordinary, lone individuals can act on their own and influence others in a novel way. The act of stitching takes time and concentration. It is this crucial element which makes Craftivism a positive and effective way for change to take place within the public sphere and the collective consciousness. It is also an attractive device to regain control over our public spaces and our own lives.

ART, CRAFT AND VINTAGE MARKETS IN LONDON

This is going to sound like a report from the frontline. I had a stall in one of the art, craft, and vintage markets of the capital and I want to share a few tips and thoughts about the experience.

                                                       

Saturday 14^th June 2014 was the third anniversary of The Dandy Lion Market. It takes place once a month upstairs at the Oxford, a pub situated at the heart of Kentish Town, on Kentish Town Road, a few doors down the tube station. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vive-la-R%C3%A9publique/747999408550118?ref=hl#!/pages/The-Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777

The organiser Lesley Wilson-Rutterford, is a veteran of the fashion industry and wants to promote local talents. I counted about 14 stalls ranging from jewellery, both handmade and vintage, textile, ceramics, stationary and classic vintage clothes.

                                                 

The atmosphere is very friendly, Lesley buzzing around, encouraging traders and customers alike, taking pictures of stalls in order to promote the market on line. The venue is a classic cosy pub with chandeliers and the customers are mainly young couples who appreciate handmade goods.

What you really want to know though is if I sold anything: yes I did! And here are some of my thoughts about the whole process and selling at markets in general. At the bottom, you’ll find useful links.

 

PROMOTION

Market organisers will promote their event via online media, local press ads, flyers and banners at the venue. However, I found that promoting yourself before and after the event is crucial. Not only it can generate interests amongst potential customers, but you will also attract other promoters of similar events. So don’t forget to take pictures at the event and to post them afterwards with a debrief. Promoters will see your wares, display and select you for their own events. This happened a number of times for me. I was contacted both by regular market promoters but also local seasonal festivals. See my page on Facebook and Like: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vive-la-R%C3%A9publique/747999408550118?ref=hl#!/pages/Vive-la-R%C3%A9publique/747999408550118?fref=photo

Beside the classic online social media, don’t forget social networks such as Streetlife that cater for local people and events. They are great to connect people together and far more immediate than Facebook for example. https://www.streetlife.com/

EXPENSES

During and after the event you must have a clear idea of what your sales and expenses are. Remember, selling online is cheaper than paying for a stall, so your prices should reflect this.

Furthermore, you must include expenses such as transport and food. Some venues demand that you’re insured. They will advise you who to contact if you need to. So, you may have already spent £40 minimum before having sold anything.

DISPLAY

Unless you sell vintage goods, try not to clutter your stall, take goods out of packaging to allow people to handle them.

Pricing clearly is crucial if you want to sell. Goods that are not priced have far less chance to be sold. People won’t ask either because they are too shy, they can’t be bothered or you may not be available to tell them. Don’t miss your chance to sell! It may be tiresome to price everything individually but at the end of the day you must maximise your chances to sell.

                                                

Table cloth, mirror, mini stands, baskets all help to show your goods at their best. Don’t forget to bring business cards or flyers. Morplan sell everything a retailer needs: http://www.morplan.com/shop/en/morplan

Make sure you’ve got bags, wrappings, etc. Give a thought to packaging in general. People may buy your goods as gifts and you must offer a complete shopping experience.

SELLING

Interact with the customer. Engage. Avoid sitting on your chair looking vacant, aloof or shy. People look for confidence, at least a friendly smile.

I recommend standing beside your stall. That way you can chat without the customer feeling intimidated or being confronted from behind a desk. I found this strategy most effective. As soon as I stood there, explaining what my goods were made of, I started to sell immediately.

Whatever you do, do not spend your time looking down on your phone and texting (I know they’re long hours and it can get lonely and boring), reading or spending all your time chatting to other stall holders. It will put off any potential customer. The girl next to me spent all her time on the phone, never engaged with anyone, and didn’t price any of her goods: she didn’t sell anything. She was selling jewellery and there was a few other jellery stalls so competition was stiff. The others were far more successful so getting it right is crucial.
                                           

Best of all if you are able to make something on site, it will attract people. You will make your time productive, people will ask about your technique, and it will show you’re happy to share. Demonstrating your talent and skills will help you to engage if you are reluctant to take on the role of a salesperson.

Give people alternatives to pay for the goods via their mobile phone. Cash, PayPal, credit cards. Make sure you let people know. Print and display. Bring a money float beforehand. Visit your bank in order to get coins and money bags. Bring a notebook for your sales and expenses and a receipt book if needed.

LEARN

Before the market gets busy, spare some time chatting with the other stall holders to learn how they do business, what works for them and if they’ve got any advice for you.

Ask if they sell online, at other markets, if they are regulars, study their display, take their business cards. Moo offers a great service. You can get free offers if you sell on Folksy. www.folksy.com
http://uk.moo.com/

After the event, connect on social media, Like their page on Facebook, share pictures.

I learnt that twitter has special hours throughout the week dedicated to craft, women in business, vintage etc. One of the sellers showed me her calendar on her mobile phone indicating when she ought to post pictures according to these themes. I don't know if I will use Twitter this way. At the end of the day you do what you feel comfortable with.

I also found that attending markets on a regular basis gives a structure to my working life. Unless you are very successful selling online, you may find difficult to stick to a discipline. Whilst having deadline, new ideas and products to make, you'll find your routine transformed. Meeting your customers, other sellers, seeing what the competition offers, all this helps to be more positive and successful. I really believe that selling at markets and festivals ought to be at the heart of any selling strategy.

                                        

DIRECTORY

The Dandy Lion Market (North London/Kentish Town)

www.facebook.com/pages/...Dandy-Lion-Market/165313296862777

Old Spitafields Arts and Craft Market (Central London)

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events/bert-and-gerts-arts-and-craft-market

Crafty Fox Market (South-East London/Brixton)

http://www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk/

Selvedge Spring/Winter Fair (South-West London/Chelsea Old Town Hall)

http://www.selvedge.org/

Wonder Hill Market (South London/Tooting Broadway)

http://wonderhillmarket.co.uk/

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Death of the American shopping mall. Shopping habits have drastically changed since the financial crisis not least in America where consumerism has undergone dramatic changes. 

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jun/19/-sp-death-of-the-american-shopping-mall?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

STALL AT THE DANDY LION MARKET, KENTISH TOWN

                                                

I am delighted to announce that I'll have stall at The Dandy Lion Market on 14th June in Kentish Town.

The Dandy Lion Market is very successful vintage and craft market based in The Oxford Pub at the corner of Kentish Town Road and Islip Street. They are celebrating their 3rd Anniversary with plenty of stalls, a "Best Vintage Dresser" competition and bubbly!

I'm looking forward to meet customers and fellow traders on that special day. Don't forget to visit, I'll have special gifts for dads for Father's Day on Sunday 15th June.
                                                     

THE CRAFTIVIST COLLECTIVE

On Sunday 11th May I went to an event at the Victoria & Albert Museum organised by the Craftivist Collective. In the lead up to Refugee Week, this craftivism workshop was an occasion to think about how we perceive and portray our own identity and the identity of others through craft and informal discussions.

Craftivism is a cross between craft and activism, or using craft like stitching, knitting, crocheting to put social concerns across in the urban environment and unusual locations. If you want to know more about the collective, please visit: www.craftivist-collective.com. They are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CraftivistCollective?fref=ts
                           
The Craft campaign "Where do you belong?" had chosen the V&A to help us to meditate on the plight of refugees whilst stitching our own luggage tag to keep or leave somewhere as provocative street art. Issues such as how would it feel to be a refugee and what personal baggage we put on others were the inspiration to the various slogans, symbols and thoughts which were going to be stitched onto these tags.

The workshop ran from 11 am to 4 pm, free to drop in at any time. When I arrived at 1 pm, I was surprised to see that not only it was packed, but it was full of young and highly colourful women; they reminded me of the post punk scene in the early 80's. A few children, older women and even a couple of guys were also making up the attendance.

We were given a calico luggage tag each. We had to embroider our name on one side, our message on the other, and then stitch the two together. I thought it would be a matter of an hour. It turned out that I got into deep conversation with the young volunteer I was stitching with about my own experience of life as an immigrant and displaced citizen. My journey isn't over, so my message on my tag read "Where next?".
                                

It was an emotional experience and the hours passed so quickly that I had to finish the assembling stitching on the tube and the bus. that's the first time I had sewn anything on the move in public!

This was a great day and I'm glad to learn that the craftivist Collective is organising another event on 7th September at the V&A again. The Mini Protest Banner session will be all about global poverty and human rights injustices. Whilst making our own colourful mini cross- stitched banner, we will have the opportunity to reflect upon issues we care about in a social setting.
                                

When completed, we can hang our banner in arelevant public space to engage others in the fight for a fairer world. I am looking forward to this workshop. If you want to participate, just drop in at the V&A learning centre on the third floor, it's free. For more information, visit: www.craftivist-collective.com.
They also have shop on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/craftivistcollective?ref=pr_faveshops
                                                 

 

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE

The Great British Sewing Bee has just finished, and what a nail biter that was. No obvious winner until the very end. Although, Heather hadn't always shown the most original creations, her last couture dress was a stunner. So, well-done to her and let's the next series roll in! If you haven't seen the final, click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b040rsjg

The Great British Sewing Bee has been an incredible and unexpected success. Made on the same principles as The Great British Bake Off, this series has attracted 3 million viewers for its first final. A third series has been commissioned for our greatest pleasure. Even Alison Graham, the editor-in-chief of Radio Times declared she preferred it to The Great British Bake Off which was quite a declaration to make. I much prefer it too.

What I like about it is the mixture of people who are competing, the surprising creations, the level of skills demonstrated, the variety of challenges, and the personalities of the two judges. Claudia Winkleman is a brilliant, lively and friendly presenter, and the space where the competition is filmed is a place wonder.

So, for all the fans out there, I have a sewing kit on sale which may either encourage you or a friend to take up sewing. It is printed on a 60's inspired sewing themed design and includes a sewing bag, a pin cushion and a needle book. The whole set costs £11, the items sold separately £4 each. You can buy them on-line here: https://beta.folksy.com/shops/vivelarepublique/collections/89741

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIGHT POLLUTION

We are all aware of this mostly urban phenomenon. Apparently it wastes £1 Billion a year in energy. Are you annoyed by bright street lights, neighbour’s drives or front door powerful lights, and wonder why shops and offices leave their lights on whilst not in use? I am.

Some Councils are starting to take the issue seriously and environmentalists are demanding action, both in cities, and in the countryside. The night sky is getting harder to observe and more worryingly, it has been blamed for disturbing the migration of birds and the breeding patterns of nocturnal creatures.

Personally, I am really unhappy and concerned about this excess of light. Some will argue that we need it for security reasons. First, light everywhere actually encourage burglars by enabling them to navigate more easily at night. Second, it disturbs sleep patterns to such an extent that it has grave consequences on health and quality of life. I am getting more and more annoyed by people, councils and corporations who think they can impose their 24 hours a day lights on everybody else. Because you can afford it, does it make it right? It is wasteful, therefore concerns all of us. Selfishness, paranoia and simple disregard rule. What’s your view? For more information and facts about light pollution, click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16470744

In addition, with earlier, brighter mornings, occasional hospital stays, holiday accommodations, or on the move, I found myself wanting a simple and practical solution. I have created a collection of sleeping masks lined with light blocking material. They are perfect to catch forty winks and restful nights without worrying about not being able to fall asleep or being awakened by sunlight.

 

For a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, click here:

https://beta.folksy.com/shops/vivelarepublique/collections/89721