MarketFriday Goes Folder Browsing

The title must sound funny and maybe strange, or both, but it's true. Before the lockdown happened, I had plans for almost the whole year. March was the month when fairs started in open air and I knew exactly what I'm going to do, which fair I'm going to visit. Then on March 16 the lockdown came in and everything has changed.

Fairs and markets were canceled for an unknown period and I was left without the possibility of taking tons of photos. I'm not complaining as my so called problem is nothing compared to those who have lost their possibility of selling their products in order to earn a living, pay the bills.

Now that today it's (market)Friday again, my only option is to rely on my folders. When I'm at a market, I'm always taking a bunch of photos to have for a longer period and because there's no way I can post them all at once, there are always a few left, so today I'm going through my folders and posting the ones I had no time or occasion to post yet.

The Eye Candy Of The Market

These products or better the package is always catching people's eyes and no way one can resist temptation. I'm an exception ans I have my own but even so I'm buying some from time to time as what I have is just a few types.

What you see here are craft jams and syrups, some sugar free, others cold pressed to preserve the vitamins the fruits contain. The crafter wanted to keep the traditional aspect of the products, that's why he's using the red and white checkered fabric and the string. That's the style they used back in the day when plastic and can was not known. It looks great by the way and it's a good marketing strategy.

Back To Plastic Free Times

One of the good things these craft markets are god for is that you get to see products that are different, you can't get them on every corner. Mass production is out of the question here, which makes them more special.

These products are special because these are not only ecological, durable in time but also carrying a message. Using wood to make toys is not new, remember the 20th century or the one before that. Wood was almost the only raw material available for toys and was the best thing if you ask me.

These days wooden toys are expensive and can't compete with the hyped plastic toys you can see in TV, but if you can invest in a few and teach your kids the meaning of using wood instead of plastic as well as teach them to take care of their toys and pass them on to the younger ones, you are doing a great job. You're not only saving money but also creating memories by teaching them to value what they have.

Key Rings

At first glance some of these look like wood (nice wood) but in fact these are made of leather, which is excellent from many points of views. Firstly it's not plastic, it's leather, therefore it's more durable. Secondly, most likely it's made of waste product, or what's left after the bags and shoes are made. I can only congratulate the crafter for trying to #recycle, #reuse everything. Waste should not be encouraged and I see he's doing a great job reusing what he can.

I would buy one and maybe next time I will. I can see a cross which is not for me but many love it. The motorcycle is not for me either, but the Celtic Trinity Knot looks great.

Take Me To Your Party

This guy is ready or was ready to go to a party and take care of the drink supply. It's the first time I say this car and I don't know about the costs (I guess it depends on the size of the party and who's credit card ends up in this guys hand) but I thought it's a good idea. It saves you from the headache shopping can give you when trying to get the best deal.

This is my contribution to #MarketFriday today. Let's hope life is going to be different very soon, and we can go back to normal, although that seems like a distant reality at the moment.

Taking photos in a shop is risky now, people are afraid of being reported for not respecting the social distancing rules. I don't want to cause trouble, so I'm doing what I can.