August 2009: Maggie & Robert Duncan, Maggie's Farm
Once upon a time in New Jersey, there was a crafts fair. Two tie dyers were a few booths away from each other. The guy, Robert, kept stopping by the booth of the girl, Maggie, and smiling and being charming. Robert was a member of the Eugene Saturday Market, and had come back home to make some money to buy a house in Eugene. Maggie was heading off to make some money "on tour," following the Grateful Dead. Robert made better tie dyes, and told Maggie "you can't make money on tour." Maggie was a better salesperson and said "Oh, yes I can!" That very day, a beautiful partnership and a beautiful booth was born, they've been together ever since. Many, many successful tours, markets and tie dyes later... we find Maggie and Robert still selling tie dyes at the Saturday Market, having bought that house and raised up two sons, Brenden and Sean.
Surprisingly, I've never highlighted a tie dye booth before, in many ways it's the Market's signature craft. So it's fitting that I chose the tie dyers that have been at Market the longest. Robert started selling in 1985, and Maggie joined him in 1989. "Back when you couldn't give tie dyes away!" says Maggie. I remember what I was wearing in the late 80s, and the sluggish local economy at the time, so I can see why. After spending a little while in the Maggie's Farm booth, I can also see how they found success even in slow times. Maggie is indeed a wonderful salesperson.
A family approaches, and starts browsing. "Is this your first time at Market? Where are you from? What sizes can I help you find?" She effortlessly chats with them, and directs them to the sizes and styles they are looking for. She knows her well organized inventory inside out. She also knows other folks' inventory, as someone inquires about tie dyed underwear. "I didn't bring any today, but you should try Levana's booth, over there, she usually has that kind of item."
The booth itself has a nice, open layout that invites folks in to browse. The racks are neatly organized, and there are styles and sizes to please everyone, even tie dyed ties for the businessman in touch with his inner hippie. Like every tie dye artist's work, Maggie's Farm tie dyes have a distinctive color palette and dying style. This also gives the booth a unified look that ties together what could be a confusing jumble of color. Instead, it's a bright and cheerful spot in the middle of the Market, where a bright and cheerful family makes their 
living selling tie dye.
You can find Maggie's Farm nearly every Saturday in space 74, near the Fountain on the West Park Block.
