The North Notts AMFF (Artists, Makers and Fine Foods) Markets promote artists, makers and fine food producers from across Nottingham.
Their markets are well worth a visit, and with regular events happening at various venues throughout the year, there are lots of opportunities to catch them!
We caught up with AMFF market organiser Verity, to find out more about their events, the history of the markets and what they have planned for the future.
Read our Q&A with Verity below…
How long have The North Notts Artists, Makers and Fine Foods markets been running for?
Not very long at all! My first market was in October 2021. Since then I’ve learnt a heck of a lot, met some incredible people, built up a following of regular customers that visit us across all 5 of our market venues – and had a huge amount of fun!
What made you want to start your own markets?
I myself am an artist (although these days the hours are absorbed by market admin rather than in my studio creating!). As a creative, I feel very strongly that artists have always struggled generally to make a fair wage. We love connecting with our customers face-to-face, as our creations are so very personal and utterly a part of us, so I feel selling face-to-face is completely necessary. I believe that galleries and large organised events have their place, but BOY, do they charge a lot and I personally feel that the artist has to give up so much of their hard-earned wage to feature in these spaces.
As a result, I have developed regular, quality markets, with a wide variety of very skilled and talented artisans, allowing each maker and producer to present a ‘shop front’. They have opportunities to meet with their buyers BUT with a very reasonable set-up fee too, allowing them to take a fair wage.
I can remember when I first put it out there, whilst I was collating artisans, I was telling stallholders that this was my vision. One of them said to me, “it won’t happen, you won’t get people selling quality creations at the right prices in Village Halls” – yet 18 months on, we are doing just that!
We promote all kinds of Artists, Makers and Fine Foods producers, and we’re now running ‘Meet With the Maker’ workshops – more on that below!
What makes your markets unique?
We want to champion artisans and allow them to make a fair wage, but also provide customers with quality goods – and the chance to actually meet the people that made them. I’m a believer in looking after those that you represent, and like to make stallholders feel welcomed, updated, informed and arrive to a well-organised event. As part of this, I like to provide them with refreshment and a little treat! Maybe a pack of polos or bar of chocolate – these small gestures make us a community.
I like to promote the artists and artisans themselves on our social media channels, and not just talk about the next market date, but allow customers to see the kind of things they can expect at our markets.
NB: Pedddle helps with this – click here to see how you can save your favourite markets and their stallholders, and reconnect with them even after an event has ended!
There is always a very happy atmosphere at our markets, and we have a carefully compiled playlist of acoustic music. A couple of times a month we have live music too, which again brings a welcoming atmosphere. We have a friendly coffee shop service at every market – because you always need a hot drink! Our customers are greeted into a happy, upbeat place, with smiley faces.
Our markets are indoors, so wet weather doesn’t affect us – that’s always a bonus for stallholders and market visitors alike!
We are now holding ‘Make with the Maker’ workshops on market days. These workshops are pre- bookable (you can get in touch via Pedddle’s contact form on our market pages), and it makes a visit to the market extra special. Workshops include Wet Felting, Stained Glass, Pottery Building, Paper Making, Painting for Beginners, Hand Build Clay, Children’s Cookery, Textiles, Christmas Wreath Making… the list goes on!
What’s next for the AMFF? Your workshops sound fantastic!
Things are always evolving, and we are so excited to put on more workshops this year.
I am now getting people approaching me to take on markets in their areas, so we might soon expand outside of Nottingham. Who knows what will happen in 2024!
Click here to see when the next AMFF market is on!