Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Handmade Expo is CHANGING

Hi Everyone

For the better of course :)

From our MAY market, we are changing our application process and our guidelines as well.

Potential stallholders will be required to read the updated guidelines and complete an application form...Both of these can now be accessed from the right hand side of the blog, with the application form being soooo easy to complete and submit.

We have implemented discounts for regular and loyal stallholders which we are very excited about.

We will be able to monitor what is being sold at The Handmade Expo on a higher scale...with non-approval for people who sell imported or manufactured goods which not only makes it difficult for our handmade stallholders to compete against (price wise), but also keeps the customers coming back for high quality handmade goodness.

We are now accepting stallholders who sell high quality handmade/craft supplies. There has been a big demand for this from a customer perspective and also from stallholders as well. These stalls will be of the highest quality (we know what they will be selling will be imported and manufactured....but on a different scale and fitting in with our ethos of HANDMADE).

If you would like to book a stall for the April market, we do have seperate booking forms and guidelines which we can email to you upon request thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au

At the end of the day, we would like to provide South East Queensland with the largest high quality handmade market EVER and we believe that with your help and support (customers and stallholders alike), this is totally possible of which you can all be apart of.

Thanks for tuning in.

From
Liesa, Micky & MIriam

Monday, March 29, 2010

CLYDESDALE AND HEAVY HORSE FIELD DAYS

Hi Everyone

Every now and then we are asked if The Handmade Expo would like to be apart of another event...providing high quality handmade stalls....

We have been in talks over the past couple of days with the above event and they have made 12 stalls available for The Handmade Expo. We will be monitoring stalls and product as they do want a range of goods...




This event runs over 2 days from Saturday 1st May and goes til Sunday 2nd May...This is the long weekend in May.
They are expecting between 6,000 and 10,000 people. It is held at the Gatton Showgrounds.
Stalls need to be set up on the Friday....

For $50 (for both days), you will receieve a 3m x 3m site. You will require your own insurance, chairs and tables. The stalls that have been made available for us are indoors. ALL proceeds will be going to this event

If you are interested in having a stall at this yearly event, please email us at thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au

You can check out their website HERE

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Saturday, March 27, 2010

OUR NEXT MARKET

Hi Everyone

As you can read HERE our March market was once again a roaring success....

Time to plug our April market..

SATURDAY 17th APRIL
Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Road Bundamba
8am-2pm
FREE PARKING and FREE ENTRY

We are now working in conjunction with the wonderful people at the Queensland Swanbank Steam Train. So, you can purchase a train ticket at the front of the gate and go on a 30 minute train ride....It is a wonderful ride, the kids love it, the guys love it and even the girls love it too. So, if you haven't been, April will surely be the month for you and trains!! Last month found the train to be packed on all rides. Did you know that everyone who works on these trains are VOLUNTEERS?

We also have up to 100 stalls of handmade lovlieness on offer for you all. Including our gourmet fresh section where you can purchase your fresh local lockyer valley produce, preserves, plants, fudge, cupcakes, snowcones, bacon and egg rolls, coffee, sausage sizzle. We have EVERYTHING at our market. NO IMPORTED OR MANUFACTURED GOODS...everything is handmade by the stallholder or made by someone close to the stallholder selling the items. Our ETHOS is HANDMADE and we are sticking to that. We love bringing you a high quality handmade market every month and we can see that you all love it too and support it...stallholders and customers alike. We appreciate each and every one of you.

We have to send out a thank you to DADZ FARMS. Last month, they were generous enough to leave a box of fresh Garlic Bulbs at the front door..FREE for all...It is not easy to get locally grown fresh garlic, so we hoped that you all enjoyed that when you got home. Did you also get your free easter egg...these were being given out at the front gate as well.

In saying this...The Handmade Expo TEAM would like to send out a HAPPY EASTER to each and every one of you. We hope you have a wonderful break and safe holiday. We will be offline and off phone over the 4 day break, so we look forward to talking to you and catching up with you from the 6th April.

We always welcome new stallholders as well as our wonderful regulars back to. You can download the guidelines and booking form from our blog on the right hand side. Please read the guidelines before sending the booking form as signing the booking form makes you aware and agrees you to the guidelines....

Thats all for now...thanks for tuning in.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

AND THE WINNER IS............

Hi Everyone

So, over the weekend, we spent our time not only at the market, but also in the Ipswich Mall promoting The Handmade Expo and also Handmade Heaven.

While we were there you could enter a draw to win a $100 gift voucher to spend at The Handmade Expo. Wowsee, that is awesome...just imagine what you could buy with that.

We would like to thank EVERYONE who came not only to The Handmade Expo on Saturday, but also came and saw us in the Mall over the weekend as well.

Anyways, so we are a bit delayed with drawing the winner...but the WINNER IS:

Del French from Mt Ommaney

Thanks for stopping by Del and completing a form.

Our next market is on Saturday 17th April...same time, same place.
We look forward to seeing you all there.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Another Market

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Another Great Handmade Expo Market
Well, the March Handmade Expo has been and gone and what a great day had by all. The steam train rides were full, the Turf Club was full, everyone's tummies were full (with yummy bacon and egg burgers, coffee, cupcakes and more yummy gourmet fresh food) - what more fun could someone have for a day!!!


We also had Micky and Leisha promoting the Handmade Expo and Handmade Heaven... in the Ipswich City Mall at the Lifestyle & Hobby Expo.. promoting, promoting, promoting. Sending everyone down to the Turf Club to experience the biggest and best quality handmade only market in town... and what a great response we had. So many customers that came to our table told us "we have just come from there"... so that was good to hear and put a smile on our faces.

We were also at the Ipswich City Mall today as well - being a 2 day event, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to put the Handmade Expo Market and Handmade Heaven on the Ipswich map.. so there you have it... 2 days of Expo and Heaven this weekend.

We also have to put a big shout out to Mayor Paul Pisasale who also mentioned us on Saturday morning to the ever growing crowd in the mall, also a great promotion for the Expo knowing that Paul and the Council support us 110%. So thankyou., And thanks to Ally at River 94.9 for the live crosses as well !

So everyone, the next expo is on Saturday 17th April, same time, same place... see you there :)

(Thanks for the text Micky, I am way too tired to compile this ! )

Let us know your Handmade Expo Market experience, we love to hear all the great feedback. Also thanks to all our fab Face Book fans who are coming in droves to see what we do, you are beautiful people and we appreciate your support.

Friday, March 19, 2010

See you all tomorrow...oh and some wonderful advertising can be seen here too...

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to remind you that The Handmade Expo is on again on Saturday at the Ipswich Turf Club from 8am -2pm.

The Qld Rail Pioneer Steam Train will be running again as this proved to be very popular last month to coincide with the market, tickets and schedule are available at the gate of the market at a reduced rate too !

Many of the markets regular stallholders will be there as well as some new ones.

The BBQ will be fired up, your favourite food stallholders will be there too, so you can grab a coffee and cupcake or slice, purchase some fresh fruit and veges, pickles, sauces and jams to see you through to the next market, as well as your gifts and special purchases from all your favourite "Handmadies " Dont forget Easter and Mothers Day are not too far away!

New stallholders are always welcome too, so if you know anyone that might be interested in having a stall, or a friend, family member or work mate that may not know about the Handmade Expo Market, then please feel free to pass this email on to them.

Now, we would like to share with you some more advertising that is getting around...


Thanks to PHIL HAMMOND for including us in the MARKETS feature of the COURIER MAIL today:


This is a 1/3 feature in the Ipswich News:

sorry about the rotation on this...we wanted you to see it all.

Hope you can make it, Come and say Hi !

Miriam, Liesa and Micky
www.thehandmadeexpo.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Nice little Article

Hi Everyone

So, we open up the Queensland Times newspaper this morning to find this:




What another wonderful suprise...The QT is really getting behind The Handmade Expo and we appreciate their support...


From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

ANOTHER NICE SURPRISE

Hi Everyone.

Short and sweet...This was found in this weeks Ipswich's Advertiser...

NICE..




From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

The Handmade Expo - Goondiwindi

Hi Everyone.

Ok, so we didnt quite reach the numbers that we needed to be able to successfully take The Handmade Expo to Goondiwindi. We are however going to try one more date...which I am sure that you will all jump on board with...

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13th.....

Once again, it will be held indoors at the Goondiwindi PCYC with times from 9am-3pm.

All the stallholders who booked in for the April market, which now isn't going ahead, you can transfer your payment to November or opt out and receive a full refund...You will not need to complete another booking form.

All newbies who show interest and wish to be apart of the November XMAS XTRAVAGANZA, please email us at thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au so we can forward you a booking form.

We still require a min amount of stallholders to go ahead with the market and from experience, NOVEMBER is a great month to have a stall at a market.

Hoping to hear from you all soon

From
Liesa, Micky & MIriam

MORE ADVERTISING... CHECK IT OUT :)

Hi Everyone

We love to let everyone know about the advertising that we do...

CHECK IT OUT:

This was in yesterday's Queensland Times newspaper


AND....this was hung on Tyres N More's fence across from Riverlink Shopping Centre.


There is loads more to come so keep posted :)

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

More Hints and Tips - Stallholders

Hi Everyone.

As Market Co-ordinators of The Handmade Expo, we want everyone to have an amazing experience at our market. Throughout the year, we post hints and tips on how to make the most of your market stall.

Margaret from Konstant Kaos has allowed us to pass on her blog posts... CLICK HERE to read about market stall displays.

HAPPY READING.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Monday, March 15, 2010

BUSKERS....WHERE ARE YOU?

Hi Everyone.

We are calling for buskers....We have the venue for you and guaranteed spectators through the door for you.

If you are interested, please email us at thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Friday, March 12, 2010

Handmade Heaven is having a GIVEAWAY

Hi Everyone.

Handmade Heaven is 1 follower away from having a giveaway.

A $20 Handmade Heaven store credit is up for grabs.

All you have to do is blog/facebook/twitter the giveaway...then go HERE to let Liesa know.

What a great day to have a giveaway...

From
Micky, Miriam (and Liesa too)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Ipswich Central Lifestyle & Hobby Expo

Hi Everyone

We are excited to announce that we are taking part in the Ipswich Central Lifestyle & Hobby Expo.

Now, we are having 1 stall at this expo to promote the market and tell thousands of people that it is on. This is great publicity for the market. Handmade Heaven will be there too with a range of handmade goodies.

The Handmade Expo is also having a GIVEAWAY...It is a $100 Handmade Expo voucher to spend at one of our markets. All you have to do to enter is fill in your details on a form and give it to Miriam, Micky, Liesa or Leisha on one of the days. This is very exciting. Imagine what you could buy at The Handmade Expo with that....LOTS!

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday 20th & 21st March (yes, the Saturday is the same day as our market, but remember...GREAT PUBLICITY :)

TIME: 10am-3pm daily

WHERE: The Ipswich City Mall

"Don't miss this great opportunity to sample Ipswich's fabulous range of community groups dedicated to life's greatest pursuit - enjoyment and happiness - all in one location"

Should be a nice addition to the day (after or before The Handmade Expo of course)!!!

See you there.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Next Market


Friday, March 5, 2010

Apple & Grape Festival or Brisstyle Market ANYONE?

Hi Everyone

So, what are you doing this weekend.

There are 2 great things happening that we would like to PLUG :)

The first is the amazing Apple and Grape Festival in Stanthorpe...I don't believe there is one ounce of accommodation left in Stanthorpe for this event, however, it would be an awesome day out if you could make it. Click HERE to check it out.

Also...have you heard of BRISSTYLE? Well, they are having one of their amazing markets on Saturday in Hamilton, Racecourse Road. Such a wonderful group of crafters/designers/artists. We love the Brisstyle girls and highly recommend this wonderful market...Might see you there.



So, have a super weekend and we hope to see you all at our next market on the 20th March (if not before).

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Thursday, March 4, 2010

March 20th....OUR NEXT MARKET

Hi Everyone

So, we have finalised our Feb market and now working very hard behind the scenes to bring you our next market which is on Saturday 20th March from 8am-2pm at The Ipswich Turf Club.
There is FREE ENTRY and FREE EASY PARKING.

With LOADS of stallholders, you are bound to find something fabulous.

The sausage sizzle this month is being done by FOOTPRINTS IN THE PARK..a Not for Profit Ipswich Community Organisation.

We have our wonderful and popular DUO (Scotty & Rob), buskers on board again this month, Bringing you some toe tapping tunes throughout the day...

We will also have the wonderful Swanbank Steam Train running again...this turned out to be quite popular and enjoyable for all who took part. There is a small fee involved, but certainly well worth to add to your list of things to do while you are at the market.

We hope to see you at our next market...We always accept new stallholders with open arms and have room for you all. If you are interested in having a stall, you can email us thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au or call Liesa on 0422876154. If you are computer savvy, you can also download the booking form and guidelines off THIS blog.
We are also always looking for entertainment on the day...buskers, roving entertainers, etc. Please email if you are keen to join The Handmade Expo experience...

Thanks for tuning in and we hope to see you all at our March 20th MARKET.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

GOONDIWINDI...

Hi Everyone.

We have extended the payment and expressions of interest date until the 11th March (8 days).
If you are interested in having a stall, we will require your completed booking form and payment by this date (please email us for this form).

This is a market that went very well last year and we hope to be able to bring it back to you this year.

If we do not get the numbers for this market, we will refund your monies in full.

Looking forward to receiving your emails at thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au and bringing you The Handmade Expo in Goondiwindi.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam

Do you have a skill you can teach OR would you like to hold a demonstration?

Hi Everyone

So, do you?

Some examples of what we are looking for are:
Basic sewing lessons,
Embroidery,
Learn to knit
Learn to crotchet
Using an overlocker,
Scoll saw demo or class
Folk art painting
Scrap booking
Spinning
Weaving
Art/drawing
Card making
AND MORE
the list is endless!

We are gathering a list of talented people for something in the wings we would like to implement soon at The Handmade Expo Market.
We have an indoor air conditioned facility for use at our market and have actually had requests from people wanting to learn different skills on a Saturday.
If you are interested would you be so kind to email us at thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au
We have a questionnaire for you to complete...

Thanks heaps and we look forward to continually bringing new and exciting things to The Handmade Expo.

OH and if you are on the other end and would like to learn, would you be so kind to leave a comment on what it is you would like to learn.

From
Liesa, Micky & Miriam