Valerie Baber Designs

To Market, to market to sell my designs.

A couple of weeks ago I ventured out to my first attempt at selling my designs at the local outdoor Farmer’s Market.  I wanted to do some marketing and market research to see what people were gravitated to and hear first hand comments about my work.  I sell most of my designs through other stores and online so I don’t get the feedback that someone selling directly to the customer does.  Off I went with only a small amount of stock since it was June at the time and not really scarf weather.

I have to say I absolutely enjoyed it!   Most of all I enjoyed the interaction with others even if it was just to chat about knitting and crocheting, favourite yarns and the lot.  I am look forward to returning for another Market day in July and various dates in August and September.

I love visiting the Farmer’s Market for my fresh vegies.  Luckily we have an all year round one in the city which is always a pleasure to visit as it reminds you of the coming summer in the midst of a cold winter season.  One of the things I love to make while tomatoes are available at the Farmer’s Market is fresh bruschetta type of salsa.  I add the salsa to the name as I like to spice it up sometimes for a kick of flavour.  Here is my recipe below, you can tweak it to your tastes.

Bruchetta Salsa:

I buy several, usually 4, pint size containers of my favourite tomatoes, like grape tomatoes or whatever you desire and a bunch of basal.  I don’t have an exact recipe as I change it all the time depending on what I have available and it makes the outcome more creative for me.  This is how I do it.

Add: 

One bunch of fresh Basal,  4 pints of Tomatoes, 2 to 3 table spoons of Olive oil, juice of 1 lemon or 1 lime, 2 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper to taste,  1 green onion or a bit of other onion that you like, either hot pepper flakes or 1 Jalapeno pepper.  Put it all in the blender and blend away to the size of chunks you prefer.  This is my favourite version, you can omit what you want and see what your favourite flavour is. Quick and easy Salsa that is fresh and local when purchased at your local Farmer’s Market.

To extend the life after a few days in the fridge, if it hasn’t been eaten which is rare at our house, I will cook it and render it to a nice thick sauce and use it on my favourite foods.  You can use this for anything you like, I even use it as a ketchup type sauce once cooked.  Try adding some roasted peppers or roasted tomatoes and see where it takes you.  Be inspired by what’s around you, in your fridge or cupboard and create in the kitchen.  Most of all enjoy the flavours you create!

I highly suggest your local Farmers Market as a marketing and market research tool, but most of all a great place to meet others who knit and crochet.  There is always time to talk about those subjects don’t you think!  The atmosphere is wonderful and inspiring with all the creative items people have made. Go on a treasure hunt to your local Farmer’s Market, a wealth of inspiration awaits you!