Market Recap: The Wins, The Wind, and The Lessons Learned

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Another craft fair is in the books! And let me tell you—this one had it all: gorgeous weather (for a while), a fresh new setup, an exciting way to engage with customers, and… oh yeah, a windstorm that turned my booth into a glass-breaking disaster zone. 😬

Let’s get into it—the good, the chaotic, and what I’m taking away from this experience!

What Went Well: The Setup & The Interactive Experience

  • ✨ New setup, who dis?  This was the first time I changed up my booth display, and I LOVED it. It felt pretty, engaging, and easy to shop—exactly what I wanted.
  • ✨ DIY Cup Creations = Huge Success!  For the first time, I brought blank glaases and let customers pick their UV DTF sticker designs so I could create their cup on the spot. And guess what? It was a hit! Customers loved being part of the process, and honestly, I had the most fun with this. A bulk of my sales came from people customizing their glasses right then and there. Definitely doing this again!
  • ✨ Support System on Deck!  My sister and niece came out to support me, and having them there made the day even better. Selling at markets can be exhausting, so having your people cheering you on (or bringing you snacks) is a total game-changer.
  • ✨ The Weather… for the First Three Hours.  For the first few hours, the weather was spectacular. It was breezy, sunny, and perfect for a market day. Cue the foreshadowing…

What Was Challenging: The Wind Takes No Prisoners

And then… it happened...A cold front blew in, bringing a ridiculous amount of wind. One big gust hit, and suddenly—my shelf collapsed, taking down several of my glasses and shattering all of my glass straws.

😩 Cue the slow-motion horror movie scene.

The good news? My artificial turf saved it from being even worse. The bad news? I had to make a tough call—I packed up early. And yes, I know that’s a big no-no at craft fairs, but I just couldn’t risk customers stepping on glass or having lil pieces of other stuff.  Lesson learned: Next time, I need to be better prepared for surprise weather tantrums!

Standout Moment: Making Custom Glasses On the Spot

If there was one huge takeaway from this market, it’s that I am 100% leaning into the “Pick Your Design & Watch It Happen” experience.  Customers LOVED getting to choose their UV DTF sticker and seeing their glass come to life right in front of them.  It made the shopping experience more personal, interactive, and honestly, so much fun for me too!  This was by far the biggest win of the day—so expect to see this as a regular option at future markets!

Final Thoughts: Craft Markets = The Ultimate Rollercoaster

If I’ve learned anything from doing these events, it’s that no two markets are the same. Some are smooth sailing (until a cold front crashes the party), some bring unexpected challenges, but every single one teaches me something new.  Key Takeaways from This Market:

  • I’m keeping the “Pick Your Design” concept—it was a hit!
  • I need a backup plan for crazy wind. (Extra weights? Lower displays? Someone to hold onto my shelves? TBD. 😂)
  • Early support from family makes all the difference.

Would love to hear from my fellow vendors—have you ever had a craft fair disaster? Drop your story in the comments so I know I’m not alone!

📌 Shop my designs here 🛒

Until next time,
Jecca

Location: 17700 US-281, San Antonio, TX 78232, USA

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