One of the joys of my trip down to London was the chance to meet a whole load of designer-makers.
As I was on my own, my opportunity to see other stalls was really restricted to those on the "loo run" but I was very fortunate both in the people on the stands around me and in the people who popped by to have a chat.
Next door to me, and also on her own, was Allison Wiffen who makes the most beautiful ceramic jewelery featuring black and white photographs of iconic bridges, buildings and statues.
Allison is quite as smiley as this photo shows and very generous in minding my stand when I went searching for caffeine, lending me her trolley, and all the other stuff that makes or breaks a fair.
She is also very funny and has persuaded me to do the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate in April.
Another interesting thing about Top Drawer was see in how crafter/designer/maker/manufacturers fall into one of two camps - collaborative or competitive.
There were 5 stands in all (including me) using machine embroidery in one way or other - all quite distinctive, though obviously working in the same medium. Three of these embroiderers came to see me and chat - and were really encouraging and friendly, even going as far as to give me contact details for buyers etc. The other was very frosty - not just to me but to all - and clearly didn't want any contact.
One woman I really liked was Shelley Klein of Pootle Designs.
She makes machine embroidered pictures which are then printed as cards. Now based in Port Isaac in North Cornwall, she used to live in Scotland. Shelley has been in the business for quite a while, she is very knowledgeable - and what is great is that she is prepared to help others. Another (one could say rival?) card maker had had problems with a printer and Shelley spent time advising her on how to sort it out and whom to contact.
Certainly someone I would want to keep in touch with.
It was the same with people in all other media - some were collaborating, swapping tips and horror stories, putting their energy into expanding the market as a whole; others were holed up in their stands glowering and competing and looking a bit like Golum.
I know which set were having the better Fair.
sounds like it was very worthwhile for you Jane on a business and personal level. looking forward to hearing more about how you got on. just printed off 100 order forms will a big spelling mistake - aaagh!
Posted by: my baboo | January 22, 2009 at 10:39 AM
How very exciting. Glad you enjoyed it and its sounds worthwhile from a business perspective too.
The whole collaborative/competitive thing is interesting. As you have put links to two of the nice collaborative people on your blog, then so I have looked them up as will many others, and so they get more hits and hopefully more sales. They may not be sales today but we all like being introduced to new and interesting; so it pays to be nice...!
Best of luck going forward Jane
Posted by: Debs | January 22, 2009 at 02:05 PM
The image of Gollum lurking in the corner made me smile! I must admit there were one or two people a bit like that at a vintage fair I went to - not very friendly at all!
I'm really glad you had a good time, think I need some tips on getting things going!
Posted by: Liz | January 22, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Hi Jane. I knew it would be a success for you. Well done. As to whether or not to collaborate, you would think it was an obvious no brainer wouldn't you? Happy sewing xx
Posted by: Pipany | January 22, 2009 at 04:03 PM
It was great to meet you at TD, Jane and glad you had a positive experience. I'm doing BCTF for the first time so will be great to see you then again. Hopefully i'll hvae had time to put in my order to you before then :-) Karen x
Posted by: Karen | January 22, 2009 at 06:25 PM