Long Live Markets!

I’ve always loved handmade craft markets. There’s something about wandering from stall to stall and discovering things that have actually been made by the person standing behind the table.

As a buyer, I love finding things that are a little different. Handmade markets are full of quirky, clever and beautiful things you simply don’t see in regular shops. I also love upcycled creations—seeing something old or forgotten given a completely new life. And, of course, there’s always the pleasure of chatting to the maker and hearing the story behind what they’ve created.

Now that I sell my own Flora Bling handmade and upcycled creations, I enjoy markets from the other side of the table too.

As a seller, it’s lovely meeting people face-to-face, chatting about what I make and seeing which things catch someone’s eye. There’s something very satisfying about watching a person pick up something you’ve made, smile and decide it’s just right for them—or for someone they know.

Markets are also a great place to meet other creative people, swap ideas and feel part of a community of people who still enjoy making things with their own hands.

That’s why I think handmade craft markets are so important. They support small businesses, encourage creativity, give old things new lives and bring people together.

And whether I’m behind a Flora Bling stall or wandering around with a coffee looking at everyone else’s creations, I’m very happy to see handmade markets continuing to thrive.

Long live the local craft market!