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2020 has been tough on all of us. But the one bright spark for the artistic community is that we’ve been able to use our lockdown time to re-engage with our passions. We’ve taken all of our anxieties, fears, frustrations, and worries, and we’ve channeled them into our work to create pieces that we can be truly proud of. Not to mention using our arts and crafts as an opportunity to bond with the kids. And, like the enterprising and proactive artists that we are, our thought may turn to selling some of our creations to turn a tiny profit and make this hellish pandemic seem almost worthwhile.
Sure, you may be able to sell some of your works online. Though you should definitely look into these alternatives to Etsy which are much less punishing for new artists. But the real fun of selling your wares comes from attending a maker’s market. But setting up shop in the COVID era requires you to take active steps to make your customers (and yourself) safer. Although our knowledge of the disease demonstrates that spread is less likely outdoors, there’s no reason to leave your health and wellbeing (and that of your loved ones) to chance.
Here are some ways in which you can COVID-Proof your market stall.
Use a screen
You want customers to be able to see your crafts. But now more than ever, they need to be able to look with their eyes and not their hands. You should consider putting your wares (and yourself) behind a clear screen to protect yourself from droplets of moisture in breath, coughs, and sneezes.
Keep prints for sale out of reach
If you’re selling prints and don’t have immediate access to a screen, you should keep your prints for sale somewhere that only you can access. Customers can then point at the print they want and you can fetch it, bag it and leave it on the counter for them to collect. Ideally, you should have a system that avoids hands touching hands.
This makes the handling of cash problematic, which brings us to…
Accept contactless payments
Accepting credit and debit card payments is a smart idea for a maker’s market. The last thing you need is to touch hands with scores of customers and increase your risk with every contact. While it may sound extreme, you should treat everyone as if they are infected but asymptomatic. Card payments also mean customers are more likely to buy because it’s more convenient. However, you should invest in credit card processing equipment that allows you to take contactless payments. These are by far the safest ways to get paid since customers don’t even have to enter their PINs.
Ask if the market operators have a track and trace system
Finally, it’s worth asking the market operators if they have any system in place to track and trace infections. With so many bodies passing through the market, it’s helpful if everyone leaves their contact details upon entry so that if someone should fall sick, everyone in attendance will be made aware so that they can get tested quickly.
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