I am having so much fun getting ready for my first vendor market… but I’m also very aware that I don’t fully know what I’m doing.
And honestly? I think that’s kind of the point.
Instead of waiting until I have everything figured out, I wanted to bring you along for the process: mistakes, experiments, and all so that maybe you can skip a few of the headaches I’m probably about to experience.
Because if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s this:
I tend to make things more complicated than they need to be.
So this time, I’m trying something different.
Starting With Who (Not What)
Before I bought a single display piece or designed a tag, I asked myself one question:
Who am I creating this for?
For me, the answer came pretty quickly—
fun, rural women… probably around my age… who love a little mix of:
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western
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boho
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vintage
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and a touch of 80s/90s nostalgia
Everything I’m bringing to this market ties back to that one person.
Not random products.
Not “a little bit of everything.”
Just a curated collection that feels cohesive and intentional.
And I truly believe that’s one of the biggest things that can set a booth apart.
Progress Over Perfection (aka Budget Reality)
Let’s talk about money for a second.
Because yes...I’m spending money.
But I’m also very intentionally not overspending.
This is my first market. I don’t need:
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top-of-the-line displays
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custom everything
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or perfectly branded, high-end materials
What I do need is information.
So instead of going all-in on one expensive setup, I’m:
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testing different vendors
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trying different materials
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experimenting with packaging and signage
Some things will work. Some won’t.
And that’s okay because I’ll learn what’s actually worth investing in later.
“Shopping My House” First
One of my favorite parts of this whole process has been realizing…
I already had a lot of what I needed.
Before buying display pieces, I went through my house and pulled:
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thrifted wooden bowls
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random decor pieces
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items I’ve collected over time
Suddenly, those “odds and ends” became:
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scrunchie displays
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visual interest
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part of the overall vibe
And the best part?
Most of them cost me next to nothing.
Creating a Cohesive Brand (Without Overthinking It)
If there’s one area where I did stay consistent, it’s branding.
I kept things simple:
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a small color palette (turquoise, browns, neutrals)
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the same 1–2 fonts
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similar textures and tones
That shows up in:
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my packaging
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my tags
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my signage
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even my booth decor
Is everything a perfect color match?
Nope.
But because I chose a palette with some flexibility (think “turquoise stone” instead of one exact shade), everything still flows together.
And that’s what matters.
The Little Details That Make It Feel Special
I’ve been having a lot of fun with the small touches:
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stamping craft paper jewelry cards
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using organza bags for smaller items
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experimenting with “scratch-to-win” discount cards
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creating playful signage like “Pay here, darling”
None of this is necessary.
But all of it adds personality.
And when someone walks into your booth, that personality is what makes them stay.
Booth Setup: Flexible Over Perfect
I’ll be honest—I almost talked myself into buying very specific, fitted tablecloths.
But then reality kicked in:
I don’t even know my final layout yet.
So instead, I went with:
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inexpensive table coverings I can cut to size
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simple textures that match my vibe
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pieces I won’t feel bad replacing later
Because right now, flexibility matters more than perfection.
Taking a Few Creative Risks
One of the biggest “we’ll see if this works” moments?
I bought a small rug for the front of my booth that says:
“Howdy, honey.”
Is it necessary? No.
Could it be a little extra? Yes.
But my goal is to create a space that feels:
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inviting
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playful
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and just a little bit different
Something that makes people want to step in instead of just walk by.
What I’m Really Learning
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about setting up a booth.
It’s about learning:
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what actually sells
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what draws people in
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what feels aligned with my brand
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and what’s worth investing in long-term
And I’m giving myself permission to not get it perfect the first time.
Because I won’t.
And that’s okay.
Come Along for the Journey
I’m going to keep sharing as I go- what works, what doesn’t, and what I’d do differently next time.
So if you’re thinking about doing your first market too…
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You just have to start.
Have you ever done a vendor market—or are you thinking about it?
I’d love to hear your experience (or your biggest questions) in the comments!
And if you want to see how all of this comes together, make sure to watch the video that goes along with this post.
