Start up Contemporary Irish Textile Art Business in Covid19 Times
I KNOW WHAT TIMING!
The biggest pandemic the world has seen in decades and I have just started my Textile Art business!
HOW DID I COME TO THIS POINT?
After spending 20 years in business and a bit of time out to spend with my three children I felt it was time to either go back to work on a part time basis or re-educate.
RE-EDUCATING MYSELF
Most of my life I have been drawn to my creative side without realising it. I decided to take a chance and try something completely different. I enrolled in Art College. I spent the most challenging and enjoyable two years studying Creative Textiles which exposed me to all elements of Art, Craft & Design.
After graduating I focused on building up a body of work and applied for the Artist’s Exemption early 2020. To my amazement I was granted the exemption and set myself up as a small business.
THEN COVID HIT….
All plans to take part in indoor markets for 2020 were now non-existent. I knew I needed to reach my target audience either face to face or online. Lucky enough I was granted the Trading on Line Voucher to get my website up and running. My other dilemma was meeting my customers and getting valuable feedback on my textile art products.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
In the current climate outdoor markets are the only way to go for the near future. I purchased a 3x3m royal blue, gazebo along with weights 15kg for each leg to weigh the gazebo down if there are strong winds!
I looked at a few outdoor markets near to where I live in Dublin. I decided on Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin.
When I mentioned it to one of my daughters her reply was ‘OMG you’re going to Bushy Park in a tent!’, ‘How embarrassing Mom!’
Needless to say, I carried on. I did my first outdoor market last week. Anne & Georgina who run the market were so helpful. The amount of equipment I had to bring gazebo, table, stands, table covering, stock etc.
PHYSICALITY SIDE OF OUTDOOR MARKETS
The physicality side of things I completely underestimated I could barely lift the gazebo and then realised I had forgotten how to put the thing up!!
All in all, I had a fantastic day and met some wonderful customers. Bushy Park I’ll be back.
I still need to finesse a lot of things in my textile art business but it’s all part of my creative journey and wouldn’t have it any other way!
(Picture taken as I was packing up at the end of the outdoor market in Bushy Park in Dublin.)
Instagram/Facebook @lauraconneelyart
