Market Report

We were up with the birds - we had no choice. Our feathered friends are early risers at this time of the year and like to get the residents of Chez Fudge up and out of bed by around 4.30 - 5.00 at the latest. After a hastily consumed piece of toast and cup of tea, the car was loaded and we were on our way to set up at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.

It was already warm, with promises from the weatherman of temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (that's 86 Fahrenheit), so I was grateful that I was located inside the hall where we at least had the advantage of overhead fans to keep us cool.

I was in the best of company, with the delightful sisters Bec and Jade who make up Beckybean as my neighbours, and other friendly and familiar BrisStyle girls scattered around the hall.

Meanwhile, the activity outside was reaching the the final stages.

Many of the stall holders were able to take advantage of the sprawling poinciana tree with its huge branches hanging protectively over them.

Then we had a little Field of Dreams moment - we built it and they came...

... in great numbers.

Close to my stall were Em and Bel, who make up the team of EmBelISH. Now, these two friends do everything in pairs. They have two little sons around the same age and six months ago they produced second sons within days of each other.

These little men delighted all who met them, smiling at the customers and charming them into purchasing something from their mums. They were so good and spent much of the day staying cool in the shade and dreaming of their next meal.

Several of my friends visited throughout the day and one particular friend was chuffed with her purchase from Sophie of Strat Designs - a fabulously long red necklace, beautifully packaged in a noodle carton.

I had a fair amount of left-over fabric from the sewing frenzy that I had whipped myself into over the past few weeks. Hating to waste such a stash, I recalled how handy the shoe bags were that I made for our recent trip away, and decided at the last moment to make up a few to test the waters. I feel it's always advisable to have some less expensive items to cover all price ranges.

They proved to be very popular, so maybe I'll whip up a batch for our next market in March.

I didn't have much of an opportunity to visit many of the other stall holders, but I did manage to buy a couple of little things from Amanda of Twinkle Star Art.

Amanda is our BrisStyle resident artist and her children's illustrations are a sheer delight.

Despite the heat, everyone had the most wonderful day, helped along with the sounds of jazz played by Rob and Kev, freshly brewed coffee and the most tempting of cup cakes.

I can't believe that I missed out on my sugar rush AGAIN! Next time I'll be standing at the counter when it opens, just like this gentleman.

I had my most successful market day ever, so I was relieved all that hard work was not in vain. And now for a break leading up to Christmas and then back in the New Year with renewed energies and plans for our next BiDM in March.

So like the current world economy, the market is looking up.