Hey, hey, hey!
So much has happened this past week, and I feel like things have officially kicked into high gear—in the best way possible. If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been working toward hosting my first vendor market, and this week brought a mix of inspiration, connection, and a few “wow, this is really happening” moments.
Let’s dive in.
Visiting Another Market (and Learning a Lot)
Last week, I made a last-minute trip with a couple of friends to a nearby town for a craft fair. Interestingly, it was hosted by the same organizer as the one I previously attended in Ames.
And let me tell you, it was fascinating to compare the two.
Even though this was a much smaller town, the event actually felt better in a lot of ways. It really opened my eyes to how much venue, layout, and local energy can impact the overall experience.
But beyond the logistics, what made the day special was the people.
I tagged along with my friends (shoutout to Sarah and Shaye for being absolute gems), and they were incredibly supportive...even while I filmed, interviewed vendors, and basically did my “YouTube thing” with a full setup. Having people in your corner who just let you be yourself? That’s everything.
Making Connections (and Growing the Vendor List!)
This trip turned out to be more than just research, it became a huge opportunity for networking.
I connected with several vendors who will now be part of my market, including:
- A creative upcycler working with denim jackets and reworked clothing
- A coffee truck owner I had only previously talked to online
- A kettle corn vendor (thanks to a referral from the coffee truck - how cool is that?)
One of my favorite moments? Talking to a vendor whose work felt like it would perfectly complement mine. I took a chance, introduced myself, and shared details about my event.
At first, she thought she was booked that weekend…
…but later came back and said, “I checked my calendar and I’m free!”
And she signed up. 🙌
Even better? After I posted about these vendors on Facebook, tagging them and sharing their businesses, I ended up with three additional vendors signing up on their own.
We Hit Capacity 🎉
By the end of the week, something incredible happened:
We officially had to close vendor applications.
We now have over 40 vendors participating.
In a big city, that might not sound huge, but for a small-town event, this is amazing. Honestly, my biggest worry going into this was not having enough vendors.
Getting attendees? I felt confident about that.
But convincing vendors to commit? That felt like the real challenge.
So the fact that we are now full is not just exciting, it’s a little surreal.
Thrifting for Displays (On a Budget!)
Of course, no week would be complete without a little treasure hunting.
I stopped by a small consignment-style shop while running errands and found some amazing (and affordable!) display pieces:
- Cowboy boots ($6): Perfect for displaying my boot wallets without risking my own pair
- 40 oz tumbler ($2): For showing off crochet drink cozies
- Bracelet displays ($2 total): Light-colored and cohesive with my booth aesthetic
- Corkboard ($2): Potential for earring displays, signage, or creative setups
- Necklace stand ($3): A total steal compared to retail prices
- Metal sign holders ($1 each): Great for pricing or product info
One thing I’ve learned quickly? Seeing your products displayed properly makes a huge difference. Sometimes customers need that visual context to understand what they’re looking at.
Figuring Out My Setup (Trial and Error!)
Back at home… things are looking a little chaotic.
I’ve basically taken over part of the house while I experiment with booth setup ideas. I picked up a simple rack from Walmart to help display some of my larger pieces, like my gradient cotton scarves. It adds height and helps create that eye-catching element every booth needs.
That said, there’s still some trial and error happening...especially when it comes to figuring out how to display certain items like my bandana cowls.
But that’s all part of the process.
Small Wins Add Up
One of the biggest productivity wins this week came from something simple:
I finished a bunch of almost-done projects.
You know the ones: just needing ends woven in or a few final stitches. Knocking those out made it feel like I completed five projects in one day, which was such a boost.
And here’s something I didn’t fully realize until now…
Because I tend to buy yarn within a consistent color palette (hello, autumn tones!), everything I’ve made - past and present - naturally works together.
That means:
- My booth looks cohesive
- I didn’t need to start everything from scratch
- I saved time, money, and stress
Honestly? That alone has been a game-changer.
What’s Next
Things are moving fast, but in a really exciting way.
Now that vendors are locked in, my focus is shifting toward:
- Promotion and advertising
- Finalizing my booth setup
- Finishing remaining projects
I’ll keep sharing updates as I go!
And if you’re on a similar journey - whether you’re becoming a vendor or organizing your own event - feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share what I’m learning along the way.
Thanks so much for being here and following along with this process.
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| Watch the YouTube video HERE! |