There’s something exciting -and slightly terrifying- about trying something completely new.
Recently, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and became a vendor at a local market for the very first time. Not only was I selling my handmade crochet pieces, but I was also one of the organizers. So yes… I chose maximum chaos for my first experience.
Today I’m giving you the honest recap: what I learned, what sold, what didn’t, mistakes I made, and whether I’d do it again.
If you’ve ever thought about selling crochet at a craft fair or market, I hope this gives you a realistic look at what it can be like.
First Lesson: Practice Booth Setups Don’t Always Translate
Before the market, I practiced setting up my booth space in my living room. I took pictures, moved things around, and thought I had it figured out.
Then I got to the venue.
Suddenly, what looked great at home didn’t work the same way in real life.
That taught me an important lesson: be flexible.
You can plan all you want, but once you’re in the actual space, things may need to shift. Bring displays and products that can adapt easily so you can pivot when needed.
Branding Really Does Matter
One of the biggest things I noticed while walking around the market was how much branding affects perception.
There was a mix of vendors:
- first-timers
- casual sellers
- experienced market pros
And honestly, you could tell.
The vendors with polished displays, vertical height, cohesive branding, signage, and visual interest naturally looked more professional and drew more attention.
My booth landed somewhere in the middle.
I had worked hard on branding and ideas, but my execution still needs work. That’s okay. The first event teaches you what no amount of online research can.
I Shorted Myself on Booth Space
My co-host and I split one booth space into two smaller spaces so we could make room for more vendors.
Very generous.
Also… not ideal.
My setup became cramped quickly. If two shoppers entered my booth, nobody else could comfortably browse.
That definitely affected sales during the busiest times.
Next time, I’ll think more carefully about flow, spacing, and checkout placement.
Having Help Was a Game Changer
If you’re considering doing a market, my strongest recommendation is this:
Bring a Booth Buddy
Having help meant:
- bathroom breaks were possible
- I could grab food (in theory)
- someone could watch the booth
- emotional support during busy rushes
- company during slow hours
Markets can feel intense. There are moments of total chaos followed by long stretches of quiet. Having another person there makes a huge difference.
What Sold Best?
Let’s get to the juicy part.
My Total Sales: Over $400
For my first market ever, I was thrilled.
Especially because:
- I live in a rural Iowa area
- this wasn’t a huge city market
- I used mostly yarn from my stash
- startup costs were modest
I recouped my expenses and made profit, which was my goal.
Best Sellers
Crochet Heart Earrings
These tiny crochet heart earrings were one of my best sellers.
They were quick to make, cute, affordable, and easy impulse purchases.
I priced them at $4 each, but next time I may test $5 or $6.
Lesson learned: sometimes the small, accessible items move fastest.
Upcycled Crochet T-Shirt Poncho
I created a wearable piece using a thrifted Nashville t-shirt combined with crochet detailing.
It sold almost immediately.
That showed me shoppers love one-of-a-kind statement pieces.
Mesh Boleros
I sold out of these as well.
Wearable crochet items that feel modern and practical seemed to do well.
What Didn’t Sell?
Virus Shawls
My cotton virus shawls did not sell.
And honestly? I expected that.
They were beautiful and eye-catching, but shawls aren’t a common everyday fashion item in my area.
Still, they served an important purpose:
They attracted attention.
Sometimes a product doesn’t need to sell to be valuable. It can function as visual merchandising.
Make It Easy for People to Pay You
I accepted:
- Cash
- Venmo
- Square tap-to-pay cards
This was one of the smartest things I did.
Many customers preferred digital payments, especially Venmo and card tap.
The easier you make checkout, the fewer sales you lose.
Biggest Mistake: Forgetting My Own Basic Needs
I got so focused on organizing details that I forgot:
- water
- snacks
- drinks
Huge mistake.
The food trucks were slammed, and I barely had time to step away.
Next time I’m bringing:
- water
- coffee
- snacks
- fruit
- protein options
Take care of yourself. You’ll perform better all day.
Wear Your Product
As someone selling crochet wearables, I made sure to wear my own creations.
This matters.
People love seeing how handmade items look when styled on a real person.
If you have help at your booth, have them wear your items too.
Surprise Success: Non-Crochet Branded Items
I also sold custom can koozies featuring one of my granny square designs and branding.
They were affordable, fun, and perfect for people who wanted to support me but weren’t going to wear crochet.
That opened my eyes to something important:
Your business doesn’t have to sell only crochet.
You can expand into:
- stickers
- bookmarks
- buttons
- mugs
- accessories
As long as it reflects your brand.
Would I Do It Again?
Honestly?
Yes.
But only in the right way.
Running a market and being a vendor at the same time was a lot. If we host again, it will likely be annual rather than multiple times per year.
As for vending elsewhere?
Absolutely.
I see markets as an experiment right now:
- learning what sells
- improving displays
- testing products
- building confidence
- growing income streams
And that feels exciting.
Final Thoughts for Crochet Sellers
If you’ve been thinking about doing a market, my advice is:
Don’t do it halfway.
Treat it like a business.
Set goals.
Create a strong display.
Price thoughtfully.
Learn from every event.
Your first market doesn’t need to be perfect.
Mine certainly wasn’t.
But I made over $400, learned a ton, and now I know what to improve next time.
That sounds like a win to me.
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| Watch the YouTube video HERE! |