At StavesArt, the days leading up to a busy weekend of artisan craft fairs and local markets are always filled with a special kind of energy. It’s that blend of excitement, organisation, creativity, and just a little bit of chaos — the good kind — that reminds us why we love taking our artwork out on the road.
Preparation isn’t just a behind‑the‑scenes task. It’s the foundation that allows us to show up at every market with confidence, connect with our customers, and share the stories behind our hand‑drawn city globes, stadium spirals, and fantasy worlds.
Today, as we gear up for another packed weekend, we’re taking you behind the scenes to show why preparation matters so much.
Stocking Up: Making Sure Every City Has Its Moment
Every market is different — different crowds, different interests, different conversations. That’s why stock planning is one of the most important parts of our prep.
We look at:
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Which cities and stadiums have been popular recently
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What events are happening locally (football matches, festivals, graduations)
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Seasonal trends — from summer travel to Christmas gifting
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New artwork we want to showcase
Whether it’s Leeds, Edinburgh, York, London, or our fantasy spirals, we make sure each piece is ready to shine.
Setting the Scene: Crafting a Display That Tells a Story
A StavesArt stall isn’t just a table — it’s a mini‑gallery. Preparation means:
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Choosing the right frames and mounts
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Planning the layout so every piece is easy to browse
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Creating eye‑catching focal points
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Making sure our signage, banners, and price cards are clean, clear, and on‑brand
We want people to feel drawn in, curious, and inspired — even from across a busy market field.
Packing Smart: The Unsung Hero of Market Life
If you’ve ever seen us pack the van, you’ll know it’s a bit like playing Tetris. Preparation here means:
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Protecting every print and frame
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Packing stock in the order we’ll need it
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Making sure the card reader is charged
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Double‑checking the float, bags, and wrapping materials
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Bringing the all‑important snacks
A smooth setup leads to a smooth day — and that starts with thoughtful packing.
Planning for Conversations: The Heart of Every Market
Markets aren’t just about selling artwork. They’re about meeting people who love cities, travel, football, architecture, and storytelling as much as we do.
Preparation helps us:
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Share the stories behind each piece
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Recommend artwork based on personal connections
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Talk about the landmarks, stadiums, and hidden gems we’ve captured
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Celebrate the places people call home
Every conversation becomes part of the StavesArt journey.
See You This Weekend
We can’t wait to be out and about again, meeting new faces and catching up with familiar ones. This weekend you'll find us in Bath, York, Roundhay Park in Leeds and Wetherby. f you’re visiting a market this weekend, come say hello — we’d love to show you what we’ve been working on.