Business
BY KATLYNN FOX
Hannah Gustafson started the Tiny Farmer’s Market in her East Austin neighborhood last April selling homemade jams in her front yard. She had just been laid o from her job and was looking for a way to meet her neighbors and create the commu- nity she had been craving. “In those rst three hours of the Tiny Farmers Market, it was like I had met more of my neigh- bors than I had in the three years of living in that house,” Gustafson said. “So, it just completely sparked something inside of me and I was just like ‘I think I could do this every month, like I could be consistent.’” Within a year, what started with a sole vendor, turned into a lineup of 30 + artisans and an in ux of support for the monthly Tiny Farmer’s Market. What they o er Each market has unique o erings with a vendor waitlist of about 300 applicants. Attendees can always nd something new, including matcha and co ee, ceramic goods, art, hand-sewn items, jewelry, co ee syrups and stained glass decor. Gustafson’s favorite products at the market include miniature clay magnets, sh-inspired keychains and beaded broaches. Who it’s for As a market for the people, there are several intentional details that make it accessible to all. For starters, Gustafson crafted the o erings to include free drinks and live music, so that no one in attendance felt like they had to pay to participate in the community. “It’s really turned into more of this goal of having a third space where people can come and they don’t have to spend money, but if they would like to, then they can support a local hobbyist,” Gustafson said. Nearly each vendor is at the beginning of their career as an artisan, therefore, the market serves as a place to experiment and fail without pressure. One more thing As additional pillars to Gustafson’s brand, The Tiny Project, she also has a mail club called The Tiny Post where about 5,200 subscribers from all over the world get a monthly envelope lled with art, writing, stickers, a recipe and more. As the nal branch, Gustafson has the Studio Series to uplift hobbyists and help them make money from their craft. The series allows artisans and crafters to teach a class at the studio, bringing the community together in a new way. The Tiny Farmer’s Market spurs large turnouts
Hannah Gustafson, founder of The Tiny Project, oversees the Tiny Farmer’s Market, The Tiny Post, and the Studio Series.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE TINY FARMER’S MARKET
Market attendees can shop food, drinks, owers, jewelry, clothes, trinkets, art and more.
The farmer’s market also o ers free items at its markets, including a newly-debuted beer dubbed “Tiny Beer.”
Stay tuned Up next for the Tiny Farmer’s Market is its rst pop-up after dark, taking place on June 7 at P6 in downtown Austin. The market will feature 30 ven- dors and three live bands; attendees are encouraged to make a $10 donation in exchange for a drink ticket with all proceeds going to the Andy Roddick Foundation.
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2009 Chicon St., Austin Instagram: The Tiny Farmer’s Market
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EAST AUSTIN EDITION
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