Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Manly Creative Market Update




Sorry for the delay in updates about the market stall, since the start of the markets it has been go go go, with the markets quickly followed by Christmas/Paxmas and New Years!



For the last two market sessions we set up our stall at the Manly Creative markets.

This was a much nicer location than Chandler for our particular stall.


Each week we felt like we got the hang of it more and more.


We would like to thank the Manly Market organizers for their help and allowing us to set up at no charge.

Over the three weeks we raised approximately $900, we still have to do the final count, and also there are some items with pending sales.


Although not a completely dismal amount this is no where near what we had planed to raise. Obviously with the current economic climate market stalls are not doing so well either. We spoke to other stall keepers who said they too felt that they where not doing as well as they have previous years.


A friend recently ran a fundraiser for special equipment for their daughter, in which they had a large raffle, this fundraiser was quite successful, so with the remaining items* plus hopefully we will source some more we hope to run a raffle around Easter to try and reach our fundraising goal.


*With permission from the artists and donators. (Some items will not be raffled and will be returned to the artist, donator)

Thanks again

Monday, November 16, 2009

Chandler market Experience







Well, we are trying not to be too disappointed, but the Chandler market stall was not as we had expected. It was definitely a learning experience though!

We made $300 which is a nice start but not nearly as much as we had hoped. We were also able to spread some information about Retts and MecP2 Duplication through flyers that where handed out.

Things didn't get off to a good start when we first arrived and found not only were we squished into a poky little spot hidden behind a massive massage marque, but the massage marque pushed into our space by half a metre, so our small 2.5 metre front became only 2m. (this was no fault of the Massage therapist), usually the spot we were crammed into is not used, but because its nearly Xmas and they have overload of stall holders, stalls were being crammed into every nook and cranny.

Determined to make the most of it, after all the effort that was put in, we set up, completely scrapping our original plans, that we had practiced at home, and setting up to suit the space we were given. We set the long tables into the space so that people could walk up the side (see images).

It was a very hot day and we had a lot of lookers, but not a lot of buyers, it seemed too that people didn't want to come into the space and only looked at the items at the very end of the table. So throughout the day we circulated what items were at the end of the table to make sure all items got a look in, and to see if any items encouraged more interest in the stall.

After talking to other marketeers, we discovered that not many other stall holders where selling much that day. It was possibly the combination of the heat and also that there was really overload on stalls crammed in everywhere. As avid shopper myself I know that you sort of start to shut down and stop buying when there are too many choices.

It had been our original plan(even though we had been offered a free space at the markets as a fundraiser) to pay for a better place, but as they are so booked out we missed out on any chance of getting a good space. We inquired about any possibility of a better space for the following week but the organisers told us we would only get the same space or similar small space at this point, as regulars get priority. Thankfully we were not charged for the space in the end.

We have contacted the organisers for the Many foreshore markets and have decided that next week we will give them a go. It sounds like a much better deal, they too are going to give us the space for free as a charity, and have said that because they can spread out as needed we can take up as much room as we require.

Looking at the photos the items look quite squashed up, which was mostly because we were given less room than we had planned for and one of our display props was broken in transit, but I think through the week we will work on how we display the items.

Thank-you to those who came and bought from our stall, your support is very much appreciated.

For our very first fundraiser I still think we did ok, and we got some lovely comments on items for sale, and the overall look of the stall(just a shame it couldn't really be seen). We have learnt a lot, and are positive and determined to keep going and make this a success. We may just run a quiz night with a raffle next time though! :)


~SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL~

Market Stall

Fundraising for Medical research for boys and girls affected by Mecp2 Duplication and Retts; rare genetic syndromes that cause developmental and intellectual delays/impairment and multiple health conditions.

WHERE:

MANLY CREATIVE MARKETS
Little Bayside Park, The Esplanade Manly

WHEN:

Sunday 22nd of November, 2009,

8am-3pm

Local(to Brisbane and the Redlands) artists and community members have generously donated a variety of items, including art work, books, handmade jewelry (glass, beading, recycled materials etc), cards, scarf’s, pottery, children's clothes, and amazing miniature houses (decorative or suit train sets). Also for sale will be Paxmas cards and decorations, soft toys, and fashion jewelry, RSARF signature pins and angels.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Only a week to go

With less than a week to go things are getting very hectic.

We had a slight hic-up on Monday and got concerned that we had not been given a site for our stall, but the organisers at Chandlers markets have come through for us and we have a great spot, in the undercover area.

Having never organised a fundraiser as huge as this, and never having a market stall it has been a great learning experience, we can only assume (and hope), that it will become easier each time we do this. And depending on the success of the stall we may decide that we will continue to do the stall or other fundraiser every second year.

It feels like a bit of a rush now to the finish line now (with quite a few bits and pieces still to be put together)...the big day..our first Stall day. But the thing is the first stall day is really the start line, and up until now we have just been 'training'! We really have no idea what to expect at the markets, how well things will sell, how much people will be willing to pay for things, being that a market has a grab-a-bargain kind of atmosphere.



~SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL~

Market Stall



Fundraising for Medical research for boys and girls affected by Mecp2 Duplication and Retts; rare genetic syndromes that cause developmental and intellectual delays/impairment and multiple health conditions.



WHERE:

Chandler Markets

Sleeman Centre, 1763 Old Cleveland Road, Qld.



WHEN:

Sunday 15th, 22nd and 29th of November, 2009



Local(to Brisbane and the Redlands) artists and community members have generously donated a variety of items, including art work, books, handmade jewelry (glass, beading, recycled materials etc), cards, scarf’s, pottery, children's clothes, and amazing miniature houses (decorative or suit train sets). Also for sale will be Paxmas cards and decorations, soft toys, and fashion jewelry, RSARF signature pins and angels.

Our stall is also now listed on the RSARF website
We are also happy to collect old mobile phones for the RSARF.
http://rettsyndromeaust.org.au/events/qld_events.htm

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Nearly there!


Update;
The market dates are getting closer and closer!
And we have lots of organising to do!

We have collected almost all of the items that people have offered us; we just have a couple of people putting the last little touches on their donations!

Thank-you so much to all those who have been able to help.

We have a lovely variety of locally made craft items, including hand made jewelry(glass, beading, recycled materials etc), cards, scarf’s, little Paxmas* trees, pottery, children’s clothes, little model buildings, and much more.

We will also be selling lucky dips for children and a few other bits and pieces we have picked up, in order to raise the most money we can.

We have decided the dates for the market stall will be;
Sunday 15th of November,
Sunday 22nd of November
Sunday 29th of November

So please don’t forget to come on down to the Chandler markets on those days and do some Christmas shopping from our stall, and maybe buy the kids a lucky dip!
We wont know until the week before where the market organizes will put us, just look for the big “Something Beautiful” banner and of course our adorable boys!

We also hope to sell some Paxmas* decorations to help raise money.
And will be selling pins and decorations from the Rett Syndrome Australia Research Fund, (see image)

*For more information about Paxmas check out these links.
http://www.paxmas.blogspot.com/

For privacy reasons we are not listing individuals who donated items, but please check out our ‘Beautiful Links’ to view the local businesses and artist who have donated.


thank-you

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Rett Syndrome Australian Research Fund


After thorough investigation into the official processes we would need to go through in order to go ahead with the market stall we have decided that instead of getting a short term fund raising sanction we are going to raise funds under the umbrella of the Rett Syndrome Australian Research Fund.

http://www.rettsyndromeaust.org.au/

Rett Syndrome is a syndrome that affects mostly girls and is caused by a mutation on the MECP2 gene. It is a different mutation to the duplication of the MECP2 gene than the boys, however symptoms and prognosis are similar and study done for either syndrome are beneficial to all children affected by the mutations on the MECP2 gene.

The committee for RSARF have agreed that they will allow us to raise funds officially through their name. All money’s we make from our stall will be put into a separate account and donated to a research team of our choice. To show our appreciation for their offer we will also be selling their Angel fundraiser items, at the market stall.

Now we have the official go ahead we will now be collecting items that have been offered to us.

Thank-you to those who have already donated items.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

We will be collecting for our Market Stall soon

Apologies for the delay in posting more, it has been a hectic month.

It is looking like the “Something Beautiful” Market Stall is going to be very successful; we have had generous offers from local artists and business, family and friends who would like to make donations for the stall.

Please feel free to take a peak at the websites of some of those who have kindly donated in our ‘Something Beautiful Links’.

We would like to notify all those who have offered to donate to our Market Stall we will begin to collect items throughout August and September.

Thank-you for your efforts it is much appreciated.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Master CJ




Meet CJ and his Brother:
CJ was diagnosed with MecP2 Duplication in 2008.

He was born May 2007 and right from the start melted the hearts of everyone who looked his way; with his doll like face, gorgeous mop of hair and Angelic eyes!


CJ has severe developmental and growth delays, and multiple health complication. He has to attend regular physio, speech and occupational therapy sessions as well as other medical appointments.


CJ requires oxygen throughout the night to assist his breathing, so he has to wear tubing to his nose whilst asleep. He has become quite used to the tubes, and is a tough little man, who loves a good tickle and enjoys reading books with his Mum.

CJ happily welcomed his new little brother into the world recently and the two boys are like peas in a pod!


His Little brother does not have the MecP2 Duplication.

CJ and his little brother's parents adore their boys, and strive to give them both the best they can.

“Raising a child with disabilities has been challenging, but our lives and the lives of those around us have been enriched because of it.”