Baltic Markets Wrap Up

What an incredible experience, attending our first market and so connecting with the Baltic and Ukrainian community. Words can not express the gratitude I feel for the community with sharing in the excitement of our first market, aitäh from the bottom of my heart. 

I had never had a market stall before but seen a lot throughout the years, especially in Estonia and I knew I wanted it to be abundant in Estonian designs, something that was iconic and captures peoples attention. A few weeks before the market, my offsider, Danny, and I set up a table at home to see how we wanted it all set out, with props and tape measures in hand, not to mention all of our Estonian Designs AU products we had around the house (almost enough to fill the table) to set up how we wanted it to look on the day. We had to use our imagination to see how it was all going to look because we needed a few little extra things to make it all pop. When I was explaining all of this to dad (Toivo) he was so kind to offer his building expertise to help me create something really beautiful.

I was filled with gratitude when my dad offered to help me build some of the wonderful props you might have seen to showcase our products. One weekend I went down to their home in the country, all my designs and size requirements in my little notebook and started building. Half the fun was trying to explain to dad what I had in my head and what I wanted it to look like, translated into real life. Dad always tells me I like to complicate things and this was no exception. We got up early the weekend I stayed over and started creating! Once each item was ready, my brother in law, Leslie, helped us paint it, and even got my little nephew to help. He was so excited to be helping and contributing to Estonian Designs AU! Such a beautiful moment. During this weekend, my mum (Maie) had completed my dress for the market!! She had been working for a few days to complete my Jõelähtme skirt to go with my blouse I had purchased in Estonia, all hand made. I was so grateful mum rose to the challenge. I had asked her to make it when we arrived back from Estonia, giving her 6 weeks to complete this task, however she claims I gave her 1 week notice. Either way, she completed it, which was an achievement in itself as she had never undertaken a project like this before. I was so proud of her and I think she was too. My sister Danae also helped me with the banner design to make it eye catching and match the website. It really felt like I was taking the online store offline and into the real world. It was incredible! This whole thing was really a family affair!

So, the weekend before the market and Danny and I reconstructed the market table, WITH all the painted and constructed props my family helped me with the previous weekend. It all looked amazing! I really loved how the black made everything pop. Thankfully Danny is a wonderful sewer and we measured our Viru-Nigula material I brought back from Eesti and she got to preparing that for our table too. I just love this!! I got the idea while seeing some beautiful markets in Eesti (Aitäh Maria). 

So, we get to the market day and words can not express how excited I was! Danny and I went there the night before to set up. We are so glad we did because it made us far less stressed on the day. We got there and completed our set up then started the conversations! It was so lovely to meet some people I had only spoken to over the phone or through emails. Hearing people's stories of where their roots were from was just so humbling and everyone has such an incredible story of their connections to Eesti. There were some lovely people I met who simply loved the designs, not to mention Latvian, Lithuanian and Ukrainian folk who were interested in our products too, with their respective flags.

One of the highlights of the markets was discussing some business with the Estonian Ambassador, Jaan, and him taking a photo with us. He shared he was very impressed with the quality of our products and had difficulties getting items from Eesti for this embassy and will contact me when he needs a restock! Fingers crossed 🤞 Wouldn't that be amazing! The excitement of that aside, some things that surprised me was how popular the Glass Chopping Boards were! So many people wanted these, however because we are made to order, I did not have any with me other than the 2 that were there. I was also amazed at how many people were excited by the Compact Mirrors! Needless to say, I think at the next market at Eesti Maja Sydney on Sunday 23rd November, I might bring a few products to sell on the day. The other popular item folks were interested in were the Väike Tumblers. I couldn't believe the amount of people wanting to purchase the ones I had there on the spot. I learned so much from this experience and can't wait for the next market!

Aitäh for all your support, connecting with us and being interested in our little business that gives us so much joy!

Estonian culture. Every day. Everywhere.