Gypsy Farmhouse Market

        A popup market with a gypsy soul

Schedule	Event	Location
11/25/17 9:30am-5:00pm	Gypsy Farmhouse Holiday Market: Jefferson County	Jefferson County Fairgrounds 15200 W 6th Ave Golden, CO 80401-5018
11/30/2017	Gypsy Farmhouse Market Sip-n-Shop	Union 27, 3275 W 14th Ave, #101, Denver 80204
12/7/16    5 pm – 9 pm	Gypsy Farmhouse Market Sip-n-Shop	Union 27, 3275 W 14th Ave, #101, Denver 80204
12/15 (5:30-9pm) and 12/16/17 (9-5pm)	Gypsy Farmhouse Holiday Market: Arapahoe County:	Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall 25690 E Quincy Ave, Aurora
12/8 (12-8pm.) 12/9 (10:30-7pm) and 12/10 (11-5pm)	Gypsy Farmhouse Northfield Market	The Shops at Northfield Stapleton 8340 Northfield Blvd, Denver, CO 80238

Last week, a friend invited my husband and me to a Gypsy Farmhouse Market “pop-up craft show” where she was selling her gorgeous, hand–dyed silk scarves. We walked into Union 27, a cozy venue in downtown Denver, uncertain what to expect.

We were immediately and warmly greeted by our hostess. After we paid our $6.00, we were treated to a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres and invited to look around.

There were ten or so artisans in the small space. Their offerings included carved wood, homemade dental products, wreaths, ornaments, handmade greeting cards, and my friend’s beautiful scarves. The prices were reasonable, particularly for the range of artistry on display. We bought a couple of items and left happy to have found perfect, one-of-a-kind Christmas presents for some loved ones.

Afterward, I was curious about the concept of roaming craft shows, so I contacted Robin Weston-Raso, the founder of Gypsy Farmhouse Market and the host of the show we attended.

“…for a gift for someone, home décor, or something for yourself, you will treasure it much more when you can meet the person who actually made the item, stocks the item, and sells the item. Robin Weston-Raso, founder, Gypsy Farmhouse Market“

She told me she had founded the market to connect local Colorado artisans with customers in affordable venues. Gypsy Farmhouse Market lets crafters showcase their work without paying a prohibitive up-front price. That gives the lucky attendees like Ryc and me good prices on unique handmade items and lets the crafters new to shows learn how to stage a booth and display their art in low risk, low cost venues.

“For shoppers, the smaller shows allow you to stop and chat with vendors about the items they offer.  The larger shows offer a greater variety.  I try to offer both large and smaller shows because no two people are alike.”

I thought this was a terrific concept. So, I told Robin about our monthly series promoting local entrepreneurs and asked if we could write an article. She agreed, so I sent her the ten questions listed below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“For crafters…[i]t is quite the undertaking to do a show, even a small one….get your items together, packaged and priced…make sure you have an attractive display, have a way to accept credit cards,  have enough cash on hand, and remember to bring yourself something to eat and drink.”

Her answers are so perfectly descriptive of her unique approach to the craft markets and why she started Gypsy Farmhouse Market, I decided to simply post the responses.

So, without further ado, meet Robin Weston-Raso, founder of Gypsy Farmhouse Market and learn about her vision for her business. If you are local to Colorado, come see one of the shows this year. If you’re from elsewhere, she is expanding and may come your way soon, so get on her email list or follow Gypsy Farmhouse Market on Facebook to stay up to date on Gypsy Farmhouse Market happenings!

1. Robin, tell us about your business and your background.

I worked in healthcare for more than 20 years and am an expert in medical billing and healthcare operations.  When I was laid off in September, I realized that I was completely burned out and decided that to form a business that feeds my soul.  I have been a crafter for more than 25 years, since I was a teenager.  I have done hundreds of shows as a vendor.  The whole experience can be alienating and scary for a crafter/ small home-based business.

2. Why should people go to a craft show?

I believe in shopping small and local whenever I can.  There is a different connection you have when you buy something from a PERSON rather than a big box store.  Don’t get me wrong, there are items you have to get from the big box store – like your paper towels.  But for a gift for someone, home décor, or something for yourself, you will treasure it much more when you can meet the person who actually made the item, stocks the item, and sells the item.  I endeavor to provide value for families attending my shows, including activities for the kids, low or no cost admission and a variety of vendors.

3. What kinds of crafts do your vendors offer?

It is very important to me to offer a variety of items, so my vendors make everything from jewelry to specialty peanut butters.  I also endeavor to provide a different collection of vendors at each show so that each time you attend, it is like a whole new show.  That is not to say that a vendor won’t be at more than one of my shows, of course they will.  But you won’t find the same set of 25 or 30 vendors at two of my shows.

4. Are there any advantages for going to small shows vs the large events? Vice-versa?

For crafters and vendors, I always suggest starting with the smaller shows.  It is quite the undertaking to do a show, even a small one.  Not only do you have to get your items together, packaged and priced, but you also have to make sure you have an attractive display, have a way to accept credit cards,  have enough cash on hand, and remember to bring yourself something to eat and drink.  Shows are very long days.

For shoppers, the smaller shows allow you to stop and chat with vendors about the items they offer.  The larger shows offer a greater variety.  I try to offer both large and smaller shows because no two people are alike.

5. What is your schedule for this season?

For the rest of this season, I have three big markets.  November 25th (Small Business Saturday) at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds; December 8 – 10 at the Shops at Northfield Stapleton; and December 15 – 16 at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds.  I also have a couple of Sip N Shops at Union27, which is a cozy venue in downtown Denver.  I am always looking for new spaces to host shows though.  Part of my mission is to be accessible to vendors and shoppers and as a result, I try to do shows around the Denver area, hence the “Gypsy” in Gypsy Farmhouse Market.  Next year, I plan to do more around the state of Colorado and then expand to other states.

6. How much does it cost to go to a show?

I try to keep the cost of admission low, less than $6 and kids are free.  Often ticket sales benefit a non profit charity.  For my Jefferson County and Arapahoe County markets, ticket sales benefit KYGO Christmas Crusade for kids.  It is a charity run by law enforcement officers that gets gifts for kids who will probably not receive them this year, due to a social situation or other factors.  I also am generous with coupons and always offer an online discount if you purchase your tickets on line in advance.

7. What forms of payment do vendors typically take?

I always encourage my vendors to set up a credit card merchant account because not a lot of shoppers carry cash these days.  But they will always accept cold hard cash.  Not many vendors will accept checks.

8. What do you want people to know that we’ve not covered?

It sounds contrived, but Gypsy Farmhouse Market is a business I run from my heart.  I truly want all of my vendors to be successful, which can mean something different for each one.  It might be that they handed out 50 business cards for future orders; it might be that they were able to get their first show done without losing their mind.  Success is not always tied to a dollar number.  Dollars are nice obviously, but I want to be able to help vendors who have those other goals as well.

9. Do you have any links to the venues where you’re going to be and the vendors who will be on hand?

You can find a wealth of information at my website.   I always include link to all of the vendors websites/ Facebook pages/ Etsy shops when I host a market.  I also include posts about them in social media leading up to the market.  We also have a Facebook page as well as Twitter and Instagram accounts.    I create a new Facebook page for each market once I have it scheduled and post all vendor spotlights there as well as connect it to the event.

10. How can people get in touch for more information or be notified of upcoming events?

Join our mailing list!  I always send out an email blast when I schedule a new market and send out coupons in the weeks and days leading up to the market.  It is the best way, other than following the Facebook page to stay in touch.