CASA : I have to ask about the name , where did it come from ? There are two reasons - I love double meanings . The duck and the dodo are both birds , so the duck represents the new artisans , and the dodo represents the antiques . So it ’ s the combination of the two ! Where the Duck and Dodo themselves came from , is my love of Alice in Wonderland . There ’ s a line that goes ,
“ There was a Duck and a Dodo , a Lory and an Eaglet , and several other curious creatures – Alice led the way and the whole party swam to the shore ”
That really sparked my imagination .
Antique and artisan people tend to be really unique and interesting people , from different walks of life , looking for the same goal of selling the things that they love and trying to make the things that they are passionate about into a career . So I thought how can I use this little line in my name , and then I started to think of all the other meanings that ‘ Duck and Dodo ’ had ! It also need to be something that would stick in people ’ s heads ; ‘ Antique and Artisan Market ’ just sounds boring . Not boring as a concept , but boring as a name .
I have a very good friend that I met through BATL ( Backyard Axe Throwing League ), who is actually making me a pub sign to hang off the side of the building that has a duck and a dodo on it ! I have a taxidermy duck for the market , but I don ’ t know where to get a dodo from .
CASA : What is it you like about London ? Why not set your business up elsewhere ? The thing about London , is that there are so many little sub cultures and communities . We all know each other , we all help each other out , and it ’ s a very tight community in that way . There is so much going on , especially in the arts community in London . When I design a kitchen for someone , I become part of the family essentially for that period of time . And when I tell them about everything going on they are always shocked that there is so much going under their noses !
As well as providing an outlet for local artisans , Tiffany is hoping to use the space to benefit the wider arts community in general . She plans to run special events for artists and musicians , and even encouraging students to sell and showcase their creations . So any budding artists should feel free to get in touch !
The vibe and the feel of the space is very important , I am thinking of having art shows and opening the space up for that too . It ’ s a great way of bringing the community together . I wanted a space that was big enough to fit in as many people as possible . Everybody that is going to be working at Duck and Dodo is passionate about the things that they are selling . By allowing them to help build and shape things , they can feel like they have ownership of the space , and that helps them get excited .
Down the road I plan to do shows where students can bring in items that they have created and sell them with no rent and only a very small commission . I really want to work with the schools to encourage the artists of the future .
Duck and Dodo opening weekend is 12th and 13th November , 11-5 on the Saturday and 11-2 on Sunday . After that they ’ ll be open Wednesday to Sunday ( closed Monday and Tuesday ) at 245 Maitland . For information on special events and the market itself check out the Facebook page ( https :// www . facebook . com / duckanddodo /) or visit on opening weekend to get a real feel for the buzz of this exciting new market !
CASA London 11