07.11.26 | Boothin’ @ Christmas in July Market

Today I experienced a craft market from the other side of the booth.

My sister, Kerissa, has always been the craft wizard of our family. These days, she crochets the cutest creations—mostly amigurumi (adorable, starry-eyed plushies) —and today I joined her as she sold them at a market event benefiting a local nonprofit. There were more than 130 vendors at this event.

I'd never helped at one of her markets before, and let me tell you, it's no small undertaking. Before the first customer arrives, there have been hours of crocheting, pricing, tagging, packing, hauling tables and displays, and setting everything up. A U-Haul and a dolly were involved (I was not).

Then comes the waiting. You greet people, answer questions, celebrate the ones who find something they love, and smile as countless others stop to admire your work before moving on. There was certainly plenty of enthusiastic touching. 😅 That part can be a little disheartening. The wildest sight I saw was a very grown woman (think senior) who not only held and admired a large macaron turtle, but fully embraced it—arms wrapped around its back as she gently rocked from side to side the way a small child might hug a new puppy. And after that extended warm embrace, she set it back on the display and went on her merry way without a word. Wild.

We sold some wonderful pieces and even picked up a few promising custom orders. More than anything, today gave me a new appreciation for the heart that goes into handmade businesses. Every market represents countless hours of unseen work long before a customer ever stops at the booth. The experience gave me an even greater appreciation for all the artisans out there side-hustling to turn their crafty dreams into an income-earning reality.