The Winterfaire spreads out as far as the eye can see. Some booths show streamers of red and green, while others sport blue and silver. All of them offer treasure after shining treasure. Music fills the air with lyrics of Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and Yule. From the Wordsmith's Forge comes the bright chiming of words being hammered into literature. Delicious scents of hot chocolate, spiced cider, peppermint, baking cookies, and gingerbread tantalize the appetite. Smiling, laughing shoppers amble from booth to booth with lists in hand. Vendors grin back, calling out, "Come try, come buy...!"
I know a lot of artists, writers, musicians, crafters, and other talented folks who make some of their living from their creative endeavors. I don't always have the money to support them as much as I'd like, but what I can do is set up a virtual faire where vendors can offer their wares to an audience that likes crafts, literature, and small businesses. For those of you doing your holiday shopping, here's an opportunity to buy or barter or find something made with love, something unusual or unique, in a way that helps make it possible for creative people to go on creating wonders. And there will be no traffic jams, stampedes, or gunfights at the Winterfaire!
Vendors: If you have goods or services suitable for holiday gifts, please put up a booth by replying with a description of what you sell or barter or offer, an estimate of your price range or other parameters if possible, and some kind of contact information so shoppers can reach you. If you have a website (Etsy, Patreon, personal, whatever) showcasing your work in more detail, include the link(s). If you have holiday freebies, such as downloadable greeting card imagery, you're welcome to promote those too. Barter also works. Science fiction, fantasy, and fannish things; crafts and handmade goodies; literature and artwork; custom offerings; it's all welcome here. For ease of identification, I recommend titling your reply starting with "BOOTH:" followed by the name of your business or type of goodies.
Shoppers: If you're looking for something specific and it's not posted yet, feel free to ask. Someone else may know where to find it! "SHOPPING FOR:" and the topic would be a good title.
Everyone: You may help promote the Winterfaire by linking to this post from your own blog or site. If you have a similar holiday-networking post, you may link to it in a comment on this post.
Participation Perk: I'm offering poetry for participation. The following linkback poems still have verses available:
"
Qui Gatta Ci Cova"
"
Pumpkin Spice Prosperity"
"
Delight in Another"
"
A Sense of Weather Changes"
"
Ouroboros Insects"
"
The Loving Embrace of Night"
"
Generations of Cooks Past"
"
Homefree and Clear "
"
One Bite at a Time"
"
Stars and Diamonds"
"
Mishpocha"
"
Changing Your Nature"
"
Besa"
Linking to this page will reveal new verses in whichever one you request. Because, you see, all of these activities will unlock a verse each time someone does them:
* link to this Winterfaire page to boost the signal
* comment posting a Booth of your wares/services in the Winterfaire
* buy something from a vendor listed in the Winterfaire
* promote Winterfaire in another holiday market
* host a similar holiday market in your own blog or other venue
Dreamwidth will notify me of comments to the Winterfaire post; for everything else, you need to TELL ME in order to get credit for it.
Similar Markets:
Do you know of another indie holiday shopping post? Let me know and I'll link it here.
The 2024 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide Starts Monday! -- by John Scalzi
Monday, December 2: Traditionally Published Authors
Tuesday, December 3: Non-Traditionally Published Authors
Wednesday, December 4: Other Creators
Thursday, December 5: Fan Favorite Day
Friday, December 6: Charities
See
Winterfaire 2024 on Dreamwidth.
Happy holidays!