Online Market Day

Having been a marketeer since 1983 today I am experiencing my first Online Market Day. I must say thank you to Cat from MustHaveBeenTheCat of Etsy Team Wandarrah for inviting me one month ago today. I checked in online at 5.15am as I ate my early pre Channon Craft Market brekky, ans found her emailed invitation to join as a vendor. I had just been thinking " wow, will I be able to do the August Channon Market, just 12 days after my major Hip Surgery ?" And the Universe supplied the answer I needed to hear. " No. Stay home and rest. Here's an Opportunity to get back on track with your online Market Stall/Shop.

I started my Etsy Shop back in 2008, having taught myself to use a computer during the process of Digital Photography the year before. I had a steep learning curve to climb in early 2008, but thankfully had the online support of the Etsy DUST Team (Down Under Street Team), one of the first Australian Etsy Teams, which was one of the best learning opportunities possible, learning from makers that had actually made their mark in the world of online sales. Despite my many, many sales of my creations in the face to face marketing world, I have only made a very few sales Online. One of the reasons maybe that due to my Chronic Fatigue over the past 10 years, I haven't been as prolific in my creations, as you need energy to create. I therefore wasn't listing regularly and being 'seen'.

Maybe it is also hard to sell One of a KInd (OOAK) items compared with other non-OOAK ??

As with most market stalls, one of the main things you pay for with your stall fee, and your time setting up, and talking to market goers, is you are getting your work 'out there' getting 'seen' handing out your business card, Garnering future sales. That is what I hope will result in the past months preparations for today's event. Getting back online and being seen

Here's my Intro Blurb in the Wandarrah Online Market Group Page

*** Hi, I'm Megg of ArtNomadix MeggaYarnz. I began selling my textile creations in the mid 80's at a weekly market stall at St Andrews Market just outside Melbourne. I also ran an Arts Studio, 'Living Rainbow Workshop' in a North Melbourne warehouse, and supported myself by working as a Life Model at numerous art colleges. It was like being paid to have free art lessons!

When I headed off from that life, I spent the next 12 years on the road, as a traveling nomadic artist, (hence the first part of my shop name). We traveled around and around this wonderful land, in a yellow campervan for the first 8 years, and then fitted out a small coaster bus for the next 4. My partner loved driving, so I was free to crochet my one of a kind beanies, and would set up roadside stalls, wherever we went.

I have been living in a small cabin inside the Mt Warning Caldera, Northern NSW since '07, having been debilitated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic hip pain. I have just had a Total Left Hip Replacement on 31st July, and am now in recovery mode for next 6 weeks. I have dreamt about the Body Repair Shop since I was a teenager.

In my Rehippyfication, I am becoming a Born Again Hippy.I am a self taught, freeform, tapestry crochet, textile artist. My hats and other garments usually all have artistic qualities as well as being useful wearable and warm.

Many of my beanies are so thick and warm, with 2 or 3 yarns plied together.I received this awesome endorsement from a recipient of one of these 'xtreme winter' beanies, at Standing Rock Water Protectors Camp, North Dakota, where I sent a few donations .....

"You made a thick, fuzzy purple hat, sent to SacredStoneCamp. It was the warmest hat I found there, keeping me warm in -65°F ! Thanks for yr donation, it helped me survive. I appreciate it so much. Much love Brooklyn"

I would love to really connect more with the Northern Hemisphere as their winters are much colder than this sub-tropical Rainbow Region. But maybe one day soon, I'll be able to take to the road again, traveling to the cold of Tassie, along the south coast and cold desert nights of Central Australia, which is where my beanies became so thick and warm.I have definitely found it easier to sell my creations hand to hand, where people can see and feel the quality and warmth, but I live in hope that as I regain my depleted energy,

I will finally make it online.If you like unique personal one of a kind creations, please have a look thru my shop, and know that I can create something specially unique, just for you, in my Custom Order Listings www.ArtNomadixMeggaYarnz.etsy.com ***

You can join my Giveaway

Celebrating my new left hip I am having a Giveaway. It's really simple 🌟 1st visit my new website and Subscribe to my mailing list, for your primary chance to win this one of a kind beanie of mine (see link in Comments) For additional chances you can 2- Like my Instagram page & tag a friend on my Giveaway post here 3- Visit my Etsy shop www.ArtNomadixMeggaYarnz.etsy.com and tell me your favourite item in there, on my Facebook page Giveaway Post. 4- Join the Wandarrah Online Market (Group Page) and comment back here 'Joined'. While you're over there you can enter another Giveaway for one of two $50 vouchers by Tagging 3 friends on the Pinned post there Simples Good luck I will draw the winner on Tuesday 14th at 6pm ***This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by or associated with Facebook***'