Anne Marie Garden Maker's Market

libby

New Member
Is this worth going to? I'm interested in being a vendor there in the Autumn, but I'm not sure there is any traffic. No one I know has ever made mention of going to the Maker's Market. Does anyone here shop there?
 

Justme2

Member
Yep been there

They have their bargins but take your wallet, pocket book, and purse for the other selections.
 

BadGirl

I am so very blessed
I've gone there and found the artists' work to be beautiful, although a bit pricey at times. Having said that, I bought a metal crab sculpture thingy that I felt should have cost more than it did; I would have paid more.

Becoming a vendor ther is very tough, for what I understand. They vet their applicants pretty thoroughly, and not everyone who applied gets in. Good luck!
 

libby

New Member
I've gone there and found the artists' work to be beautiful, although a bit pricey at times. Having said that, I bought a metal crab sculpture thingy that I felt should have cost more than it did; I would have paid more.

Becoming a vendor ther is very tough, for what I understand. They vet their applicants pretty thoroughly, and not everyone who applied gets in. Good luck!

Well, that's actually good to hear. I do think I have stuff that people want (based on the response I've received the couple of places I've gone), and in a preliminary email they told me that I could come on in.
Like I said, I'm curious about whether or not there is any actual traffic, and if it's worth the time.
 

mudpuddle

Active Member
Thank you so much for starting this thread!!!
I had no idea that this existed!
Now we have something to do over the 4th of July weekend!!!!
 

mAlice

professional daydreamer
I've gone there and found the artists' work to be beautiful, although a bit pricey at times. Having said that, I bought a metal crab sculpture thingy that I felt should have cost more than it did; I would have paid more.

Becoming a vendor ther is very tough, for what I understand. They vet their applicants pretty thoroughly, and not everyone who applied gets in. Good luck!

They also are very strict, which keeps some vendors out. I don't remember the specific details, but I know someone who wanted to rent a spot and they wouldn't work with them, so they won't be selling their wares there. Something about plot size. The vendors were even willing to pay for two spaces, I believe, but no go.
 

spinner

Member
I've sold there for a season, it's well worth it, not only does it attract tourists but there it also has a regular audience. Their application is online along with the rules and regs. It isn't great for high end art, but low- med prices move. Don't confuse it with Artsfest which is totally different.
The downside is you have to get there early as the regular vendors started lining up at 7:30. Spaces are not assigned, when I went we were allowed two parking spaces and we could keep the car in one if we wanted. They only take as many vendors as they have spots and you pay in advance.
It made for a very pleasant morning and the quality of the crafts was good, I liked that there were people with produce mixed in also.
 

BadGirl

I am so very blessed
I've sold there for a season, it's well worth it, not only does it attract tourists but there it also has a regular audience. Their application is online along with the rules and regs. It isn't great for high end art, but low- med prices move. Don't confuse it with Artsfest which is totally different.
The downside is you have to get there early as the regular vendors started lining up at 7:30. Spaces are not assigned, when I went we were allowed two parking spaces and we could keep the car in one if we wanted. They only take as many vendors as they have spots and you pay in advance.
It made for a very pleasant morning and the quality of the crafts was good, I liked that there were people with produce mixed in also.

Ahhhhhh, you know what? I think I stated in my previous post about ArtFest, and not the Makers Market. I confused the two events. I am so sorry. :blushing:
 

libby

New Member
I've sold there for a season, it's well worth it, not only does it attract tourists but there it also has a regular audience. Their application is online along with the rules and regs. It isn't great for high end art, but low- med prices move. Don't confuse it with Artsfest which is totally different.
The downside is you have to get there early as the regular vendors started lining up at 7:30. Spaces are not assigned, when I went we were allowed two parking spaces and we could keep the car in one if we wanted. They only take as many vendors as they have spots and you pay in advance.
It made for a very pleasant morning and the quality of the crafts was good, I liked that there were people with produce mixed in also.

Tourists? That surprises me; I suppose because I've never known anyone to make SOMD a destination.
That said, may I ask which season you sold in? I'm going to aim for October-February or March (if they do approve me). Do people come out when it starts to cool off?
 

spinner

Member
Tourists? That surprises me; I suppose because I've never known anyone to make SOMD a destination.
That said, may I ask which season you sold in? I'm going to aim for October-February or March (if they do approve me). Do people come out when it starts to cool off?

Actually quite a few people visit Solomons, I know people that stay at the rec center and some that just come for day trips. Annemarie Gardens does a good job of advertising their events.

I sold from April-June then Sept-Dec. I did better in the fall because people were starting to think about holiday shopping. Makers Market isn't hard to get into, just send in the application and a check. It isn't a juried show. But don't wait until the last minute because they do get full. Everything has to be homemade or homegrown but that's about it unless you are selling prepared food. You have to have a sales tax number which is no big deal.
Your best bet is to go over there next weekend and see how many people are there. Then try it for a couple of months and see how it goes.
 

red_explorer

Well-Known Member
Tourists? That surprises me; I suppose because I've never known anyone to make SOMD a destination.
That said, may I ask which season you sold in? I'm going to aim for October-February or March (if they do approve me). Do people come out when it starts to cool off?

Libby, Spinner is a really good resource for the different markets.... She has been in them all. But...she doesnt sell foods. Not sure about requirements for your chocolates...but go and see. I am having pretty good luck with baked goods at the farmers markets, but its not considered high risk in terms of processing... Not sure about yours.
 

red_explorer

Well-Known Member
Tourists? That surprises me; I suppose because I've never known anyone to make SOMD a destination.
That said, may I ask which season you sold in? I'm going to aim for October-February or March (if they do approve me). Do people come out when it starts to cool off?

And yes...SOMD is a much bigger destination than you think. There are actually a large number of houses available for rentals in St Marys...also St Georges Island has a big draw...And Solomons is huge!!! The History trails are becoming even more popular too...
 

spinner

Member
I believe their website with the application has info on food vendors, or at least a link. Not only does the state have rules but they vary by county also. Read them carefully.
There are a lot of venues to sell homemade/homegrown products in this area, some of them are good and some of them just suck. You never know what is going to sell at any time. If you are going to try Makers Market I would suggest you try it at least three months, it takes that long to build a client base. I will say while people are becoming more interested in buying locally made products things are a little slow at the moment.
 
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