See those smiles! It's photo time

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2013!

Despite the torturous weather we had a great time at the I Love Markets Xmas Photo Booth at Brixton's Station Road Market. Click here to view the full photo album and see how Brixton rocks! 

January can be a quiet month, but be sure to post upcoming events here and will help you to publicise these during the January come-down!

We've had lots of fantastic new people join us this month! Some of our favourites are:

Mixy Fandino

The Vegan Tart

Beads and Pieces Jewellery

Crochet Bright and Beautiful

Lots of Love,
Katie Ingham
www.ilovemarkets.com

If you build it, they will come?

So what makes a good market and what does a good market need to ensure success? I've been prompted to write this post after witnessing a few flops in recent months and it's always a great shame for the sad looking traders who have given it a go. The sellers are important, but even with desirable products for sale, if you cannot attract the buyers then your market will have a short shelf life.  

Markets are so hot right now, and there are new and exciting ones popping up everywhere, but as a trader how do you decide which markets to say YES to? To avoid getting burned here's our trade-safe checklist which should assist you in choosing wisely. Read!

The I Love Markets Trade-Safe Checklist:

How long has the market been promoted for?
A good market organiser will announce the market date and start to invite stall holders way in advance of the actual market event. If the market organiser is established, maybe 4 weeks before acceptable, but usually i'd say at least 6-8 weeks is much safer!  

Does the market have a strong online presence?
Any serious event organiser will recongise the importance and value of the online world in promoting their markets. Check is there a Facebook Page, twitter, if so how many followers do they have? Have they posted the event on sites like I Love Markets?

Does the market offer something different?  
 For me a good and successful market offers not only excellent produce for sale but also an excellent market experience. Visiting markets is just as much about absorbing the market culture as much as it is about shopping. A market's "buzz" can influence and indulge you're shopper's hungry eye. Also, something different means people will naturally be interested in attending and the press more inclined to publicise it.

Where is the market located?
Achieving the right market chemistry is a hard task. It relies on having both amazing produce with enticing stall holders and also passing trade to make the market thrive.  
A successful market is a living and breathing entity and passing trade is the like the blood needed to keep it alive. Ideally the market needs to be situated either close to a tube, near a popular shopping area or some other reason why there is likely to be a naturally good footfall.

Who are the market organisers?
We're not suggesting you hire a private investigator but it won't harm you to ask a few questions. How long have they been running markets for? Did they used to sell at markets themselves? (if yes, you know they have some expereince and knowledge) Is this their first event or are they experienced in organising other types of events?

What do you get for your money?
If the market is new then it might be fair for the event organiser to offer you a special deal on stalls whilst they build it's popularity. Don't be afraid to barter especially if you're signing up for a few dates. Generally it's safer to see how the first one or two dates go before paying up for longer stints.

Who are the traders?
Don't be fooled by sales lines like "last few stalls remaining." You have the right to know how many traders are already signed up and if that turns out to be incorrect then you have a good claim to make in getting your money back!

Which other markets/events is it in competition with?
It's always worth checking what other markets are running on the same date, in the immediate area. Will this affect the footfall? 

We hope that this assists you. Don't let your descision feel like a gamble. Play-safe and trade-safe with this check list!
 
For an up to date list of market events in London, click here to subscribe to our mailing list!

Best wishes,
Katie Ingham
www.ilovemarkets.com

The Guardian Competition

I thought you'd be interested to know about The Guardian's LOVE LOCAL competition, which offers small businesses an excellent opportunity to receive £1000 towards promotion and marketing. Enter today.

Promoting a business is hard work and it takes time. Small businesses need to become more and more savvy in finding cost effective ways to promote their brand, products and services. We hope that  I Love Markets assists you in promoting for your business online or event, to a community of people who LOVE shopping and vising London's markets. 

Good luck and do let us know if you reach the finals!!

Best wishes,

Katie Ingham

 

 Proud Partners of

SMILE BRIXTON IT'S CHRISTMAS!

The I Love Markets photo booth is set to bring smiles to Brixton's Station Road Christmas Market on December 22nd between 11-4pm. Join us for some photo frolics and merry madness!

We've got the cheesy props, you bring the smiles! Join us in celebrating Christmas at this fabulous market! They'll be plenty of stalls to shop, designers/makers/arts, Christmas gifts, festive treats, mulled wine, music and more.

Brixton's Station Rd Community Market is a great market to trade at with stalls costing from just £15 per day, Find out more.  

Bringing smiles and whole lotta love to London's markets at www.ilovemarkets.com

London's best markets?

  

We want to spread our wings! We're on the hunt for London's BEST markets and we want to hear your thoughts! Name the borough and the market/s that you're happy endorsing. Keep it as short or as detailed as you fancy! Add a comment here or Submit your market.

Ideally, we want to hear about markets that aren't already featured on the I Love Markets website. Find out which markets we currently feature here! 

Best wishes,

Katie 

I Love Markets

THE ILM STOCKING FILLER!

The Christmas lights are turning up the heat at London's Markets! Londoner's and visitors to London being lavished with Christmas markets, pop-ups and fairs across London. Soak up some festive atmosphere, forget about the commercial high street and get to market for original stocking fillers

SWEET VIEW from Stokey Sundays. Jack Noels illustrations of London's Boroughs.
 
BEARA BEARA from The Sunday-Up Market in Brick Lane- leather bags of love hand crafted in Bolivia.

ELENA HALL from Brixton Market, Handmade and hand knitted jewellery. Made in Brixton with love.

VINTAGE BETTY ZEE from We Make London (Old Spitalfields), Vintage  crafty wonders.

GUILTED AND TWISTED, from Stokey Sundays, jewellery with spunk! Great stocking fillers!

PARDON MY ANTIQUES, from the up-coming Dust Fingers Vintage Night Market.

VILLE DE FLEURS, from Greenwich Market,  Sweet smelling Eco-friendly, natural SkinCare Line. 

CHRISTMAS BITES come in all shapes and sizes at London's Markets. Here's what are tummies are rumbing after! 

FRENCH COMPTE, from Borough Market. For a perfectly cheesy Christmas. Delicious cured meats too!

DOWNLAND PRODUCE, succulent joints of beef, pork and lamb. At Broadway Market, Chatsworth Road and Chapel Street Farmers Market on Sunday 

Capocacciaa Fine Food, at Cally Rd and Haringey Market. Bring a taste of Sardinia this Christmas.

Lottie's Bakery, Camden Lock Market, for festive and fun cake pops!

MARKET PICKS!

Fair Christmas Fayre, Saturday 1st Oxford St

Made with Love Xmas Sale, Sat Dec 8th, Dulwich.

Brixton Makers Xmas Market, Sat 8th Dec, Brixton

Dusty Fingers Vintage Night Market, Tues 18th, Hackney

Christmas Designers Market, Sat 15th, Hackney

View the full market events calender. 



TOTALLY MARKETS TOTALLY LONDON  www.ilovemarkets.com

Wood Street Market -E17

I first stumbled upon Wood Street Market a couple of years ago and fell in love with it’s humble East End charm. One of Walthamstow’s hidden gems, it was built in 1912 and it’s indoor parade of quaint shops have remained virtually untouched.

The past year has seen some major changes in the market, and refurbishments have provided a gentle facelift. But the original charm remains in tact! A flock of new traders have taken over the empty booths, and the market is once again a lively hub of activity.

Thankfully, some of the original traders are still there – selling everything from second hand furniture, collectible antiques and vintage records – while the new residents offer a range of arts and crafts.  Customised and vintage clothes, up-cycled furniture, handmade prints and bespoke cakes are just a few of the things on offer in this little treasure.

GiGi’s Dressing Room offers a beautiful range of carefully selected vintage dresses which can be bought or hired for special occasions. The innovative owner also provides a dressing room service where you can be styled for a night out. A selection of fabulously up-cycled furniture and Decopatch lamps are also on sale under the sparkling piles of vintage jewellery. It's like being in Aladdin’s Cave!

Forsaken Dreams has a great range of retro furniture on offer, all at reasonable prices, as well as some fully stocked racks of vintage clothes. A beautiful selection of handmade cards are also available here, as well as in some of the other shops.

There’s something for the boys too, and once they’ve finished browsing through the piles of records, Carbon 28 will keep them entertained. The design company create ethical hand printed t-shirts and jumpers in a range of cool graphic prints. Their Storm-Trooper art prints would make a great gift for any sci-fi fan, and their DIYnosaur Lamps – a series of build it yourself flat-pack kits – are a touch of genius!

There's lots more on offer, and with new vendors cropping up all the time, it's definitely worth exploring. It's all indoors too, so it's the perfect market for some winter shopping!

When you’re finished, rest your feet in the tea shop or cafe and soak up the friendly atmosphere of the place. A visit to the market makes a perfect afternoon out, and be sure to check out I Love Marketsfor information on up-coming events.

Blog by our roaming market blogger, Amy Exton. Have you registered yet? Come and join us at www.ilovemarkets.com