The market alternative

Craft markets are becoming quite a thing. At a typical market you can obtain a good cross-section of items that you would not find in the usual stores in the malls or cities, as artisans, small entrepreneurs and other enterprising individuals ply their trade on tables and portable display stands. On any given weekend when the markets are held you might see budding fashion designers next to seasoned jewellers. One of the founders of Alternative Market, one of the better known craft markets in north Trinidad, Michelle Isava, says she created it out of a need. “Vendors don’t pay anything for registration or use of space. I respect the markets that do that, but I saw it as too much of a risk for people who are more interested in getting exposure and creating a relationship with a clientele.” This sentiment is echoed by Jo Ming Hon, a regular at Alternative Market. “Sales are usually not as great as most craft markets, due to the lack of ability in marketing and advertising a free market, as there are no funds to use for marketing,” said Ming Hon, who organised the sixth edition of this market. “Most of the marketing that was done for the April-edition market was done by Facebook spamming and some flyers in craft stores we frequented. As such, most vendors make at least one sale and for the most sell about ten items, as a guesstimate.” Ming Hon believes that markets are a “starting ground for those who would like to make a living out of their craft, or in my case support my craft habit.”

 

Alternative Market, which has been in existence for just over a year, usually hosts creative vendors, like craftsmen, artists and jewellers, for example. (Disclosure: I have been at one of these events selling some handmade earrings.) Their first one was in July 2011 and the eighth edition was hosted at Bohemia, Murray Street, Woodbrook, on August 18. Putting on markets has not been an easy feat, especially with the way in which Alternative is run. Isava said, “What is also unique about it is that now, after the eighth market, it has no administration or planning in any formal sense. It creates itself. Anybody can take part and organise it at any given time. That is how it seems to function on its own.” Mariyah Rahman is a young artist who became a regular vendor at Alternative Market after seeing it on their events on Facebook. She described her experience as satisfactory with a few caveats. “I have some concerns; one of these concerns is that people come to be vendors and bring things that they didn’t make, but that were bought from abroad and shipped down. I think the craft markets have become a bit saturated with this kind of vending.” Rahman makes everything she sells, which includes handbags, jewelry, accessories and children’s clothing. She believes that “markets have a very nice atmosphere. There’s a sense of community that you don’t get from just dropping your goods off at a store. You get to know the other artists, share ideas and get to know each other. Also, you build relationships with your customers, and they become friends and also regular clients if they like your work.” This falls neatly in with Isava’s vision of “sharing, creating community among creative people, and also for empowering buyers and makers.”

 

Monthly market

Previously known as the Woodbrook Arts Market, the Monthly Arts Market is an initiative of the Unified Caribbean Business Association (UCBA). Jacqueline Charles of the Monthly Arts Market said they have been putting markets together since late 2010. Making payments for the venues hasn’t been easy, but they have been mixing up locations throughout their existence. “Initially our market was held at the Woodbrook Playboyz Pan Theatre, and we paid a minimal fee, but it was an expense nonetheless, along with paying for tents, tables, etc, and I often had to pay out of pocket to ensure all expenses were met. But in 2011 we moved to the Courtyard at Koko Karibi Design Studios.” Though based at the Courtyard on Jerningham Avenue, Belmont, they also go to other locations. For example, in August they were at the Emancipation Village in the Queen’s Park Savannah and the Tourism Park at the Centre of Excellence. “In October we are at Belmont, and in November we have been invited to Tobago,” she added. Charles views the market as a testing ground for creative people who are looking to step up to full-blown businesses. This, she believes, is done “by investing a minimum amount of cash for a day’s space. Because our market runs from 9 am up until the last shopper leaves, an exhibitor can gauge a number of things: the public reception of their products and services, price points for both retail and wholesale buyers, if they are ready for retail or wholesale, etc.”

 

Getting involved in this particular market is not very simple: potential vendors are vetted by a jury before being given the green light. The goals for the Monthly Arts Market go beyond just being a marketplace. “The difficulties have been getting the designers, artists, craft artisans themselves to see their works as viable economic alternatives, as well as getting them away from other forums where the emphasis is less on the promotion of creative industries (CI) and more on the hustle.” Charles stressed, “There is a perception in our society that as a (person involved in the) CI, you have to have a ‘real’ job. Part of the problem being that creatives themselves do not understand their roles in promoting and supporting the industry.” Charles wants to grow her own market, starting with looking for a place for the artisans to hold workshops and provide supplies for artisans. “I would like to see a cohesive effort for the establishment of a true CI mandate that identifies and highlights our various artists, designers, craft artisans and their work in a positive light that will allow for their inclusion in the plan for economic diversification as a tangible alternative.”

 

 

To find out when next you may see an Alternative Market, search Facebook for Cheap Ting Iz Good Ting Alternative Market. You can find out more about the Monthly Arts Market on their Facebook page, or send an e-mail to [email protected]