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Date for your diaries

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Etsy Made Local 2017

 

I know it’s a little bit early to start talking about that big festive event that is coming up in a few months but us makers start thinking about it when the summer is still with us (ok, that’s normally rain here in Scotland but it’s a bit brighter and not quite as cold).  The Etsy Made Local application process for 2017 took place back in July and after having such a great experience last year I was keeping everything crossed that I’d be one of the lucky squad selected to represent the Glasgow Etsy team again this year.

 

I found out at the start of this month that I have been allocated a stall again this year.  You can find me there on Saturday 2nd December with all of my usual products plus some festive specials.  If you are a super organised person then you can order on my Etsy shop and use code EML17PICKUP to let me know that you want to pick it up at the market.

I’m not doing many markets this year as I am busy juggling a full-time job, my Etsy shop and some home renovations so this might be your only chance to catch my in person.

Stick the date in your diary and I hope to see some of you there!  I’m off to browse the other sellers shops and plan my shopping…

Etsy Made Local 2016

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I was absolutely delighted to be selected to have a stall at the annual Etsy Made Local Christmas market which ran in 2016 for the second year running.

Etsy Made Local 2016
Etsy Made Local 2016, The Briggait, Glasgow. Image Copyright Bethany Allchin

Having only re-opened my Etsy shop in May this year, following a break in which we bought our first house and spent some time moving and getting settled in, I wasn’t sure that I would be “experienced” enough to be considered for a stall.  However, the Glasgow Etsy team leaders must have seen something good in my shop/products and gave me the chance to showcase my work at the event.

The run up to the event was quite nerve-wracking.  Having only done a few (smaller) markets previously I really wasn’t sure what to expect.  The feeling was echoed by lots of my fellow Glasgow Etsy team members who were also “newbies”.  We had heard lots about the previous year and the large number of shoppers.

I spent the whole of November squeezing in as much sewing as a could so that I had plenty of stock to take with me.  Worst case scenario and I didn’t sell much would mean that my shop would get a good stock up at the start of the year.

The day of the event arrived and with the help of my mum we arrived at our allotted time slot, got into the venue and began setting up.  The atmosphere was electric and the doors hadn’t even opened.  All of the makers were busy around us setting up and despite the low temperatures we didn’t feel it with all the excitement.  Just as we had finished setting up and were about to have a wander round the other stalls before opening it was announced that the doors were going to open early as there was a huge queue of shoppers outside.  Things just got real!

From doors opening until the end of the day it was all just a blur.  The flow of customers was continuous for the entire day with so many lovely people stopping by to say hello and pick up items for themselves or for Christmas gifts.  I only managed a brief bathroom break at some point during the afternoon when I managed to whizz around the venue – the smiles on everyone’s faces just summed up the whole day.

Etsy Made Local 2016
Faithmonsoon Etsy Made Local 2016. Image Copyright Samantha Sweeney

Fun times surrounded by a wonderful bunch of local makers!