So that year seemed to go very fast! From setting up and moving everything to the new Red Brick Market site early in January, doing more events throughout the year & having work accepted into the Liverpool Arts Fair, it's been a bit of a busy one.
I'm really happy with my space in Red Brick now (although I am always still tweeking things!). It's certainly different than the old space and I've noticed more people seem to be 'speed shopping', I guess because it's so much bigger and there is more to see in there now. With my work, you really have to slow down and take a proper long look!
I love doing face to face events - but yes they are stressful :-
what will the weather do? (I've had every extreme!)
will people stop & look? (hard if you are tucked away somewhere!)
will I have enough space to display things properly? (I often wish I sold little tiny things!)
but I think with the right preparation, I managed all the extremes as best as I could. Coldest - Albert Dock Makers Market in December (I also had to content with ice that was underneath the table, slowly melting & dripping onto where I normally keep all my stock!)
Hottest - Inside the Palm House in May!!
The Winter Palm House Market in November, also had rather stormy weather over the 3 days BUT thanks to all the wonderful customers that braved the elements & some storm protection in my set up, we survived! I love talking to everyone that stops to look at my work & it's a such a joy to see my work going off to all corners of the world (as well as all corners of Liverpool!). This year, prints have gone to France, Italy, Holland, Brazil, Malaysia, Austria, Germany, Estonia, USA, Canada, New Zealand & Australia! Let me know if I have missed anywhere.
Lots of people see my work at events but then ask 'Can I buy this online?' - well of course you can BUT if you don't buy from makers at events, then you will find that the makers won't attend the events, as it's not worth their while, so whilst it may be an inconvenience carrying a bag around for an afternoon - try & support the traders at events when you can.
One of the most surreal moments was when I went to the opening of Liverpool Arts Fair in the Royal Liver Building in August. The exhibition had only been open an hour and by the time I got there, my original fine art print had sold! Thankyou to whoever bought it!
So what does 2024 look like? I still plan on doing lots of face to face events, as well as being in Red Brick as often as I can. My website needs an overhaul, so I will be spending time doing a bit of a tidy up & I also have a few more things up my sleeve...
So stay tuned!