Open air markets are an essential part of what makes Victoria, BC fun in the summer time! It's a great opportunity to check out what local artists are creating and to meet and chat with the actual artist that made the products. A social time to meet friends, sip organic, local coffee, listen to live local music, while checking out artisans from your community. A great way to support small, developing businesses in your area by only spending a buck or two and having a wonderful time in the process.
Though markets from the vendors point of view can sometimes be a little different... There is a whole separate entity that people walking through never get to see. From having your products juried, logistics of setting up, not to mention the fees and costs associated with all of this. It can be a pretty lengthy processes, before you even get out on the streets! Finding the right market for your products/services is also challenging. Plus there's the fact that there are a lot of markets to choose from and only, usually, 2 days in a weekend to have them. This is part of the reason why, 7-8 years ago, vendors cleaned house at markets. It was so worthwhile to show case your products/services because there weren't many markets for the public to choose from, so they probably went to one you were at and spent some cashola. Wanting to support this type of thing for the future, maybe they spent a bit of cashola, and maybe they made a habit of coming to the same market, to that same vendor, and buying their local produce from them.
That's not to say that markets nowadays aren't as viable ~ they are. It just seems a little more 'hit or miss' than it was in 'the good ol' days of markets'. You have to do your research about a specific market beforehand. You have to have a product/service that people are, not only going to love, but purchase as well. Plus tell their friends about. Because that's what this whole market community is about ~ community. Supporting, growing, loving our own local communities because this is where we live and love to live for our own personal reasons. So get out there, find your fav community markets, and support LOCAL!
Olympic Figure Skater Gary Beacom is quite the guy! A true showman, he is a natural at entertaining and being in the spotlight. His long list of accomplishments include (but are certainly not limited to) a Canadian team member in the 1984 Olympic Winter Games, 3rd place in the Nutrasweet World Professional Championships, a soloist and figure skater for numerous productions, as well as a figure skater coach at the Racquet Club of Victoria, which is where The Gypsy Soul's connection comes into play. Gypsy was asked by a friend to make a donation to the Racquet Club's Halloween Party and Silent Auction, benefitting the various programs they have available there. Of course, any opportunity to spread the Gypsy Love is accepted with open arms and hearts, so we donated a pair of leg warmers, made from reused sweater arms. Gary, being an avid bike rider, thought they were just the thing to keep his calves warm during the chilly, Victoria months. I meet up with Gary to snag a few photos of him doing some awesome tricks and poses with the leg warmers. He was definitely not shy about the added attention for his skating practice and gave me quite a show! He also took the opportunity to tell me about an upcoming event "Skate Dance", which is now accepting members (you can read more about this project on his Blog). Here is one of my favourite skating pieces of his ~ very comical! Having a "Jack Nicholson" style approach to his entertaining, Gary Beacom is a showman to the first degree and it is a privilege that he chooses to sport The Gypsy Soul's clothing.
