We won’t be trading at The Rocks Markets for a while as it is closed due to precautions taken over Coronavirus. So this is having a huge impact on all of the 200 small creative businesses that bring their artists designs and pieces each week to Australia’s best artisan market.
For Creatively Belle it means a greater focus on our wholesale and custom order side of things and being out of Sydney for a while.
I’ve planned a country escape for years so this is all bringing it on, although maybe only temporarily, earlier than I’d planned. But I want to “be ahead of the curve” with this and I’m really thankful I don’t reply solely on my market income as I once did.
Over the last three years I’ve steadily built up the stationery range and wholesale customers. It’s been a lot of work, steep learning curves and deeply satisfying. I’ve made some really good, nourishing friendships and I’ve grown constantly as an artist.
The wholesale side of the stationery business has allowed me to spend more time painting and developing my own style and skills. It’s taken my work into regional art galleries across the country, leading bookshops, amazing boutiques, flourishing nurseries and newsagencies owned by some of the most delightful people I’ve ever met.
The always beautiful NSW Waratah
So part of the plan is to leave the city and get on the road to go meet new stockists, do some family research (I’m first generation city with 6 country generations behind me) and do a lot more plein air painting. I’m sure all of this will come through in my new collections.
Another key part of the plan is to give this website a bit of an overhaul and freshen up to make it easier to showcase my work in a revamped gallery and for you to order online. It means lots of work and help from others, as well as figuring out how to make the budget for it work but it is a project I hope will benefit more than just me, but others who are finding their worlds turned upside down with this pandemic.
I’ll really miss my Rocks Markets family of stallholders. It’s a very big social thing for all of us every weekend. We are market aunties to rapidly growing little ones, treasured friends and enjoy winding up each other. I know some won’t make it through this with their businesses in tact and I’m fearful who that will be. I’m determined that I’m going to be like my dad and his business after the early 90’s recession; a survivor. And I’m going to thrive too.
I’ll be very excited to return to The Rocks Markets and I hope to see you there.
I wish you and yours all the best, with kind hearts and warm smiles we can each make this difficult time a bit better.
xo
Belinda
A range of counter and floor display stands are also available
Comments are closed.