October 14 2011
5
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/October
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18:48
Frieda joins me at the market stall on Fridays. She's artistic and always come up with creative ideas.Look her up at http://www.friedavandepoll.com/ She is running an amazing life drawing classes at Artspace.
Today we went and got a big vase to show off all the colourful walking sticks!That is a fun thing to do. Friend Teresa came to visit and suggest that she lends us her big panda to add to the attractions at the stall. Frieda and I are dubious - we are not selling toys - should we?
We have some Trabasacks that we can sell at a cheaper price (ex stock) and there is interest in them. One has been sold to a friend who got one for working on the train! And a guy showed interest in the one we displayed on our 'mannikin'. So now we have a 'bargain basket'!
Decisions about what to stock is one of the challenges of having a physical presense such as a store - very different from having an online store I guess - that is still to come. The web developer wants to make sure it will be an accessible site.
A man came in search of urinal bottles. Can I mention them? I only stock the Uriwell which I think are wonderful for travelling, having been stuck at places without toilets and these are discreet. He thought these were nice but too expensive! I think maybe I should have a range of products. I tend to go for design but then the customer might just wants something functional. I'd like anybody who can tell me how to display urinal bottles with style! now that would really show some chutzpah!
The universities are back, we see some students. Our 'mannikin' has generated some interest - especially when we put the stylish DPAC hoodie on him with a trabasack as a backpack and a leopard spot crutch. I think I am about to visit the universities to let them know I am in the market. Maybe some of the students would like to help me to market the stall :-)
September 29 2011
4
29
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/September
/2011
02:33
The BBC team at the market
Today I had my first full day - BBC Cov and Warwickshire Vic Minett (@Vicafternoons) was there with her broadcast from the market in the afternoon. The engineer had a base in my stall and so she asked if I opened in their honour - I should have said yes but I am ever too honest for my own good and was ungracious enought to say no! She still offered me a biccie though! Thanks for the interview! I have not managed to locate it on iplayer to hear myself. (is that vanity???)
Vic made a comment that made me think - she said it is difficult to make something like mobility aids sexy. And on reflection, I suppose it is true but not so if you re a user of such aids - they make your life easier. Its just how you look at it. And if its something you use everyday, you would want it smart and that it should use contemporary design.
And some innovative stuff is good looking and smart like trabasacks!
Trabasack is a new concept lap tray: with a spacious bag to carry belongings and a bean bag base.
Its distinctive curved edge is ergonomicaly designed to hug the body's contours and fit snugly against your waist.
Has a bag in between the tray side and cushion base to hold those essentials.
It has won prizes and my friend Steven Sumpter used it to balance his video camera when filming from his wheelchair.
Here is a video about it -with Dr Mark Edworthy
September 27 2011
2
27
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/September
/2011
23:20
It was a day of to-and-fro today. Waiting at the flat for deliveries and then to the stall to put up the hooks and arrange to display goods. The stall looks a bit sparse.
I do feel slightly awkward - never having been in that working environment before. As a disabled person I feel inhibited, worried that maybe neighbours think they might have to do things for me. Maybe its silly of me to have those kind of inhibitions. A total newbie I call myself.
But my neighbours were friendly and do not seem to worry about me being there. And while I was there people had already stop to talk about equipment they would like to have. I even have someone wanting to volunteer working at the stall.
All that unpacking made me happy. I love the trabasacks! And the shower chair from Disabled Gear came too. I am going to use it at home and have a try - this will so useful when I cant locate accessible hotel rooms with no roll in roll out showers.
Anyway the BBC definitely rang me to ask for an interview.So best get some rest!
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