Carterton woman Jeannette Orr, a former council building control officer, has organised a series of markets to showcase Wairarapa’s women crafters and makers.
They kick off with a twilight Christmas event at Carterton School this Saturday, followed by two vineyard markets and a mid-winter Matariki market next year.
Saturday’s market will feature the Wairarapa Community Children’s Choir from 5pm and a face painter.
“Choosing twilight was a point of difference for us, somewhere for families to go together in the evening with no pressure. Having it at twilight meant there is no clash of sports events, so families can join together share a meal from the food trucks and shop local,” Orr said.
Products for sale will include watercolour art, candles, sewn goods, cards, flax flowers, ceramics, pottery, embroidered tea towels, jewellery, plants, garden decorations and resin products.
“There will be no mass produced products that have been repackaged,” she said.
“I am passionate about promoting women in business, particularly those like me, who have an idea or concept and are combining motherhood, developing a business idea and often working in another role to make ends meet.
“During this process, I have also been made aware there are a number of women who are trying to turn a hobby or interest into a second income, to help support themselves later in life.”
The key to selling successfully at a market was “marketing and pricing to make it affordable. Making sure your product is well presented with consistent labelling and appearance”.
Orr herself has combined motherhood with study and creativity.
“My background is varied and being creative is part of who I am. As an adult student in my 40s, I returned to university and completed a design degree, I then went on and used my degree and worked as an architectural designer while still living in Wellington, but a lot of local people will know me from when I worked at Carterton District Council as a building control officer.”
Orr relocated to Carterton eight years ago and operates The Grey Design Studio.
She believes the opportunity for women to be part of the markets will boost “skill, integrity and confidence”.
“We started with three interested stall holders and a kernel of an idea and that has now grown to over 30 stalls and we have a waiting list in place for our inaugural Twilight Market.”
A women’s or health-related charity is supported at each market. Saturday’s charity is the Carterton Indoor Pool Project.
Donations of goods or vouchers are collected from stall holders and raffled at the market for the nominated charity.
The Twilight Christmas Market is this Saturday, November 25 from 3pm-7.30pm, Carterton School, Holloway St.
Phone 027 3142606.
