About our markets

I Make Fun Stuff was born out of a need for craft markets that are different from your average “craft fair”

Jess and her craft business Cuppa Tea And Cake had been trying to sell work through local fairs and had attended a few in and around Ipswich with little success. This was quite disheartening until Jess realised that her work didn’t really fit in with what else was on offer at these events and that she needed to be surrounded by like minded people.

So after spending another day sitting around and not making much money Jess and Chris decided to take the bull by the proverbial horns and organise what they wanted themselves. In the mean time Jess was approached by Cathy Frost, owner of LoveOne on St Peters Street to arrange a street market to encourage people down the street and promote the small independent businesses in the Saints area.

The first market was held in the Town Hall Galleries in Ipswich in November 2009, it was a roaring success with all the stallholders having an enjoyable and profitable day. The next step was to try it bigger and better. So the second market was held April 2010 in the Town Hall again now with 28 stallholders and a rocking DJ to boot. With the street market in mind Jess, Chris and Cathy worked with Ip-Art to organise their first open-air market on St Peter’s street on 27th June 2010.

25 fantastic stallholders were chosen from numerous applicants and Ip-Art, Ipswich Central and Ipswich Market helped the trio promote the event through the local papers, flyers, mailing lists, posters and Ip-Art brochures and supplying the stalls. It was the hottest day of the year with every stallholder grateful for their canopy shading them from the roaring sunshine, all the local businesses opened their doors and fed and watered the hundreds of visitors eager to buy local handmade and vintage items. It was a massive success, the trio were boosted by the support and appreciation they received from the visitors, stallholders and local businesses.

Taking over the world was the next hurdle but the team decided to think small and just go for a super duper Christmas Market to be held on the street at the end of November. Despite it being a bit chilly, the weather held out and even Mayor Jane Chambers visited and was impressed by the talented artists and the support for artistic endeavours in Ipswich. The Ipswich Hospital Band played carols and hot chestnuts were roasting to add to the warm Christmassy atmosphere that made the market the success it was.

And so to 2011, we’re now planning this year’s Summer and Christmas street markets with hopefully more exciting endeavours in the pipeline.

It looks like they got what they wanted after all. Unique and individual crafts people selling their work and the people of Ipswich embracing the ethos of handmade products.