You can have a beautiful table, gorgeous products, and all the positive vibes in the world… …but if you forget one of these? Market day gets annoying fast. Here are my Top 5 Must-Brings: 1. A Payment Backup Plan Because technology loves to get dramatic at the worst possible moment. Card reader dies? Wi-Fi acts up? Phone battery gives up on life? Have a backup. Cash float, hotspot, second payment option, fully charged power bank. Something. Because “Sorry, I can’t take payment right now” is painful. 2. Snacks + Water Not glamorous. Completely necessary. Some markets are busy from start to finish. Others are weirdly quiet until suddenly you can’t step away. Hungry vendors make bad decisions. Tired vendors get cranky. Pack snacks. Drink water. Your future self will thank you. 3. A Vendor Emergency Kit Because random chaos is basically part of vending. Think: - scissors - tape - zip ties - safety pins - stain wipe - pain relief - bandaids - pen - charger Something always needs fixing. 4. Weather Backup (Even Indoors Sometimes) Outdoor vendors already know. But indoor vendors? Surprise cold halls, hot venues, mystery air conditioning, doors opening every five minutes... Bring: - extra layer - fan - weights (if outdoors) - weather covers - sunscreen Being uncomfortable for 8 hours is not a personality trait. 5. A “Slow Market” Mindset Yep. Not a physical item. Because not every market is packed. Not every event is your best sales day. Not every customer is your customer. 👉🏼Bring patience. 👉🏼Bring perspective. 👉🏼Bring the ability to not spiral because Karen bought earrings from the booth beside you. Sometimes a slow market is just… a slow market. 📞CTA: Vendor friends... what’s YOUR non-negotiable market day item? 👀

The thing I wish someone had told me before my first craft market was ______. No judgement. No polished answers required. 😅 Just the honest thing you learned the hard way. I have a feeling this thread could save a newer vendor a whole lot of stress.

I'm having a small moment of reflection...AND 'Nam flashbacks if I'm being honest. Does anyone in this community post on Instagram with their craft products? (Like, to promote your website and sell) I used to post 4 times a day, showing off my products and man! after 3 years of doing that, I crashed and burned pretty hard. Last Thursday, I decided to try promoting some of my ideas about doing craft markets...I'm NOT going to go all hard-core this time 'round. Do you do Instagram...let me know in the comments!!🙏🏼

🤩A new face just joined us here in The Craft Market Collective, so let’s give him a warm welcome. Running a craft market business can feel a little lonely sometimes. A lot of vendors are figuring things out on their own… learning through trial and error, wondering if they’re doing things the “right” way. 📢That’s exactly why this community exists. Jeff, this is where you’ll find vendors who understand the ups and downs of markets, people who are happy to share what’s worked for them and a space where you can ask questions without feeling silly.😋 So if you see this post, pop in and say hello. Tell us a little about what you make or sell. And to our newest member Jeff, we’re really glad you’re here. This community gets better every time someone new joins the conversation.❤️