MOTIVO DE LAS NOTIFICACIONES

I describe this segment as one that captures those Designer-Maker markets that are ‘local and values driven’. They are often located in suburban Town Halls, are small to mid-sized in scale, they invariably have a strong community emphasis which can be coupled with statements of values around sustainability and handmade and they don’t always describe themselves as Designer-Maker markets, rather they may choose monikers such ‘Makers’ ‘Artist’ or ‘Artisan’. They represent the largest segment of the broader Designer-Maker sector by virtue of their number and frequency. These Designer-Maker markets are more accessible for Designer-Makers from a price point of view and it is often here that new Designer-Makers begin the market experience and where they can start to get a sense of whether what they have to sell is going to work commercially. Predominantly female, Designer-Makers in this segment are participating in Designer-Maker markets for work. (In my 2011 questionnaire 80% of respondents described their participation as work) and as such it is important not to underestimate the challenges of this marketplace.

As one respondent said;

“It’s been a roller coaster ride since I began 5 years ago! The market scene in Melbourne has grown enormously, which has provided great opportunities for selling. It’s a difficult way to make a living, as I am not sure that any of us properly price our labour, and it’s a very competitive market. We are all also competing with goods that are mass produced, and much cheaper. I am constantly saddened by the number of copies of original designs I see around the place, and nearly everyone I know working in the handmade community for any period of time has been a victim to a copycat. I love the sense of community I get from working in this field, and the supportive and caring attitude of other practitioners. I do sometimes think that its only other makers who properly ‘get’ what we do! But I wouldn’t choose to be working at anything else and am constantly grateful that I can make an income from something I love doing so much, even if it is hard work! (Respondent 13, pers. comm. p.11)”.

Curatorial decisions are largely self-determined however there will still be an expectation that presentation is considered by the Designer-Maker in order to maximize their appeal. There can still be tough competition for inclusion. Some of these markets will also provide additional activities in the form of bars, music and entertainment for children. This depends

somewhat on who is running the event; if it is council sponsored vs. privately run as budgets can impact on these kinds of services.

Examples of these markets are ‘The Rose Street Market’, The Northcote Town Hall ‘Kris Kringle Night Market’ and the ‘Seddon Makers Market’. In particular it is common to find ‘values’ statements that underpin their operating rationale. The Rose Street Market has been operating since 2003. As they state “you’ll find Melbourne’s best art and design talent here each Saturday and Sunday. In fact, we showcase the work of up to 120 creatives, so expect to feast your eyes on plenty of unique gems and one-off wonders that you won’t get anywhere else! … So, if you’re a lover of all things handmade then look no further. Come along and experience it for yourself” (The Rose Street Market, 2018, About, paras. 1-2). Notably this market is interested in originality, creativity and the handmade. A sense of ‘inner- city community’ is celebrated and the idea of family is invoked in much of what they say and do. I think that this is in part to do with the fact that it is a family operated business that has long links to the Fitzroy community.

Northcote Town Hall’s Kris Kringle Night Markets take place annually over four Thursday evenings leading up to Christmas. As they state on their website “The markets focus on local designs and handcrafts, featuring hand-made items such as designer fashion, accessories, giftware, jewellery, ceramics, woodcrafts, textiles, toys, plants, and other similar items.” (Northcote Town Hall, 2018, Markets) The community nature of this event is emphasized and that the provision of a market space run through the Town Hall is conceived to support local artists in the region. Localism is a strong feature as is supporting the arts in general (Respondent 4, pers. comm. p.1).

The Seddon Makers Market takes place seasonally in Winter, Spring, Summer and in December has a twilight market. As they state they are “a not for profit, community-based arts and craft market run by a volunteer group … the market celebrates and showcases local makers and beyond” (Seddon Makers Market, 2018 para.1).

These examples have a guiding ethos that is connected to community, localism and to values related to creativity and the individuality of the Designer-Maker. Local and values-driven markets actively pursue the offering of unique shopping experiences in surroundings (either

indoor or outdoor) that are not like retail spaces. They emphasize the handmade nature of objects (or those that are infused with ‘handmade’ ideals) and that actively encourage relationships with the Designer-Makers and customer. The consequence of this can mean that sometimes there are compromises of aesthetics and quality, but this is a more forgiving environment that can often nurture improvement in these areas, or simply accept the variance. Here the concept of ‘handmade’ is strongly in evidence.

This is the segment I participate in and to some extent because of the emphasis on ‘values’ it is perhaps a kinder environment compared with Large-Sized and Design Driven markets described above. There is a strong focus on the mercantile in both market segments, however I am conscious that my very positive experiences in the Local and Values Driven have been impacted by this and I am aware that this is not necessarily true for all Designer-Makers. For Designer-Makers who derive a substantial portion of their income from Designer-Maker markets the stakes are high and competitive.