Application Criteria & FAQ
What we look for in an application:
Applications must have sufficient and clear information about you and/or your label, your product and your aims.
+ Creative and original work
+ Commitment and passion to developing your label or project
+ Presentation and professionalism with finished product
+ Commitment to independent design
+ Uniqueness in market place
+ Appropriate, suitable and viable for selling at the markets
Extra information:
+ As our commitment is to new emerging
designers we will not accept designers or artists who are already well
established.
+ We do not accept food vendors or anyone selling product that
isn’t design based.
+ You can not apply more than once under a different name. One
application per person only.
+ We do accept shared stalls with more than
one designer, application must clearly state you are wanting to share
the stall.
+ We do accept independent labels representing independent designers if
all info is supplied to represent these designers in the application.
This must also not conflict if the designer involved is applying for
the markets.
When can I apply?
Application opening and closing dates are posted here. You will only be able to apply for the markets within this dates, via the 'Apply Now' links that will be posted under each city.
How do I apply?
Simply fill out our online application form with all your details. Please have all your images ready of the product/s you intend to sell. Please remember we do not accept high resolution images so please make sure they are saved appropriately (email friendly) and are ready to send first, to save yourself and us any potential uploading issues. Our applications for each market are open approx 4-5 weeks only.
What happens when I apply?
If you fill out your application online, there will be a message displayed on our website that states your application has been successfully sent. You will now also get an email response letting you know your application form has been sent. Finders Keepers have a lot of applications to process so please be patient while we go through them all and get back to you. We will not email you straight away, you may be waiting for up to 6-8 weeks (the total application opening time) for a response depending on the time of sending your application.
We endeavour to get back to all applicants 1 week after application closing date. Please understand we only work part-time so we may take some time to reply to any emails. All application results are sent to you via email, so please make sure your email is correct at time of sending.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can apply for the Markets?
The Finders
Keepers
markets are for independent &/or emerging designers and artists
in Australia & New Zealand only. By this we mean your product must be designed and produced by you
and you can not act as an agent or wholesaler. We do not offer stalls
for any other businesses such as food vendors, produce – including
soaps & beauty products, vintage or second hand clothing, or any
established businesses. We do prefer people to be 18 and over, there is however no age limit for the markets
and we base our decision of high quality product and creativity. Please
feel free to email us if you have any more specific questions.
What can I sell at the Markets?
Anything that is
designed
product including: Jewellery & object design, accessories,
clothing, artworks, paper & stationery goods, homewares, lighting,
toys, books & zines etc. Price ranges are considered in the application process. We do not allow food products, beauty
products or second hand clothing and/or products, basically anything that is not designed by you directly.
How much is a stall & what is inclusive of that cost?
Stalls costs are as follows:
$385 (inc gst) - 1.5m x 1.5m - debut stall (first time designers only)
$530 (inc gst) - 2m x 2m stall
$685 (inc gst) - 4m x 2m stall
$970 (inc gst) - 6m x 2m stall (Melb & Syd only)
$1650 (inc gst) - 4m x 4m (Melb & Syd only) - premium feature stall - limited spaces
You will also need to have Public Liability Insurance. Included in this is 2 days stall hire, this does not include your trestle tables and/or clothing racks, this can be hired through us at an additional cost. Stall spaces do not come with walls. We also give every designer 1 x web profile, which is kept on our website even after the markets have concluded and is free for updating in the future.
How do I apply for the markets?
Application
forms are
available on our website, you need to fill out all fields on
the application with a minimum of 3 x images although we encourage you
to send up to 10 images. PDF catalogues are also welcomed. We like to
keep paper free so we do not accept applications via post.
When can I apply for the markets?
Applications
open for 4-5 weeks only (see dates on our Apply page) and are open until around 6-8 weeks prior to each
market. You can not apply
for the markets before or after these dates as application forms will
not be accessible online. You will have approx 6-8 weeks to prepare for
the markets if your application is successful.
How long does the application process take and when will I
find out?
Final answers will be emailed roughly 5-10 days after closing date.
Please be patient as this is usually the
process that takes the longest and the time depends on the number of
applications we receive at the time.
Can I share a stall with another applicant?
Yes
you may
share a stall but this must be stated on your application form when
applying. We only accept one application per stall so details of all potential applicants needs to be together on the one form. Please consider the appropriate match that your shared stall
may have as we review each stall case by case.
Can we apply as a collective or group?
Yes you
may apply as a collective or group, there must be one application form
with all the details of the product you intend to sell. There also must
be one point of contact for all correspondence.
Can I trade for one day only?
No you must trade
for both
days and be available for all the trading times as stated, we do not set
up separate bump in and bump out days.
I am applying from interstate, can I courier my stock to the
venue?
No unfortunately we can not take responsibility for
your stock pre-market events. All stock must arrive in designated bump-in times and you will have to arrange to be sent via alternative
options. Unfortunately this is often a venue issue and there has been too many
issues in the past so we can not offer you this option.
Who can attend the Market?
Anyone can attend
the
markets, and they are now a gold coin donation entry. Pets are not permitted
in the buildings.
How will the public hear about the Markets?
The
Finders
Keepers are partnered with PR agency Publissimo. Two press releases are
sent out to the media and we get great media coverage, via various local
papers, street press, magazines and online - you can see some of our past press posted here. We also get great
advertising & marketing support through our partners. Finders Keepers also have a steady line of distribution via our website, newsletters and social media. We also
distribute our flyers over the city hotspots prior to our events.
Do I need Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liabilty is highly recommended for all
stall holders. This however is not the responsibilty of Finders Keepers.
Do I need EFT/Credit Card facilities?
We
strongly
recommend you organise this through your bank before the markets as our
current venues do not have ATM’s onsite, so this will be most beneficial
to your trading.
Do I need an ABN?
You do not need and ABN to be a stallholder, but we do recommend
you gain and ABN for business reasons.
Is their power available?
Power is strictly
limited, so
will need to be clearly stated on your application form if you
absolutely need it for stall display. Eg – your product is lighting. All venues are heritage
listed buildings and power is only available to those with high
priority.
What options do I have with signage and hanging work?
There are no walls including in your stall. You
will have to arrange your own freestanding walls or easels if you need
to display artwork or signage – this is subject to our approval.
What if I have to cancel my application?
You may
cancel
your application before registration if you need to - we give our successful applicants a cut off date to cancel if they are unable to attend. Once you have
registered and paid for the stall your stall fee will not be refunded
if you choose to cancel within 3 weeks of the event date.
I was a stallholder last markets can I apply again?
Participation in previous markets does not guarantee second time selection. Whilst
you are most welcome to re-apply we give first preference to new designers
and product. If you apply again with the same product range, preference may
be given to previous designers with new product depending on applications we receive at the time. We like to keep our
markets fresh and new every time and offer our customers a unique and
new experience.
I want to apply for all of the markets (ie. Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne) what are my chances in of getting in one and not the other?
We do not look at the 3 markets to compare what selection will be chosen across 3 states. Each market is treated as it's own event and we assess the applications based on what we receive at one time. We encourage you to apply for all the markets you would like to be apart of, for your chance to be involved.
What next?
If successful, you will be sent an
acceptance email with further details and information. Once payment is made in full, your
participation is confirmed. Closer to the date emails will be sent that include stall
allocation, floor plans and more information covering bump-in and
out process and other detailed reminders for the day.
