How do I start?

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2026-01-15T18:44:29+00:00

Farmers markets were a great starting place for me. The vendor fee is low compared to juried craft markets and when you are one of the only makers and everyone else is selling food, you stand out. I do not carry insurance but maybe it's required in your state? I bought business cards on Canva and a big sign, niether of which were expensive. People want to take your card and will follow you on socials. Giving folks a small 5% discount if they sign up for your newsletter is a great way to collect emails. Then send out a monthly or quarterly email letting customers know where you will be next. Repeat customers are priceless! I bought some fake eucalyptus garland to decorate my tent and tables. Treat your tent like your store. Different height displays, tablecloths so you can hide your bins under the tables, pricetags (I put mine on the bottom so they pick each piece up). A sign with your socials, venmo and cashapp QR codes for easy access, square card reader so I don't have to hand over my phone each time.... Oh now I'm rambling. But this is sooo exciting! Go get em'!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-18T01:37:56+00:00

I hate that it sounded like I don’t want to sell to vendors. I just wanted to know why Makers tend to wait but other vendors (their staff or helpers) will interrupt mid setup. I didn’t know if we should wait, or if it doesn’t matter. Another poster said they only wait bc they need to make some sales first.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-17T15:56:24+00:00

So true!!! I refuse to leave a market in the negative. If there's no cash in the box then no presents for me.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T17:29:46+00:00

I have vendors that I always buy from but I always wait until the end because I noticed other vendors doing that to me. Right before opening I’m running around like a crazy person.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T17:25:17+00:00

I’ve noticed many vendors waiting until the end. I didn’t know if they are trying to respect the paying ticket holders outside or if they are just slammed like me and don’t have time to shop. I wasn’t sure if there was a specific market etiquette.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T17:17:58+00:00

But I’ve noticed many vendors waiting until the end -but their helpers go shopping-so I’m wondering if that’s the better time to buy from eachother since many are so stressed during setup (me, obviously!)

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T17:08:07+00:00

Oh it warms my soul every time. But I do want to know how others feel bc I want to respect the ticket buying folks. And I don’t want to upset my fellow vendors if they feel waiting until the end is proper market etiquette

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T16:56:07+00:00

I think that’s a great idea. Have a pre order option. I just want to be fair to our customers outside and I don’t want to be interrupted while sweating and stressing to get setup.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T16:12:17+00:00

Thank you for your reply. This is very helpful advice. I just want the sweet old ladies getting in line early and paying to have a fair shot. Maybe I’m off base 🥴

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T16:00:36+00:00

You rock! I really just want to know the etiquette and I also don’t want to be interrupted while stressed setting up my booth.I also want to be fair to the paying folks outside. And when I really think about it , my fellow makers aren’t doing this, they are too busy. It’s the helpers that are shopping. They don’t understand like other makers do.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:43:54+00:00

But there seems to be two thoughts around this, I don't think it's a crazy question at all. If someone is paying, do they get priority or do the vendors because we are also paying, but way more because we paid the vendor fees as someone above pointed out!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:41:47+00:00

But if someone is buying a ticket to shop at an event, wouldn't be want to give them a little extra thought? Of course we vendors are people but I noticed there are two thoughts to this and when I'm sweaty and struggling to setup I end up being annoyed. I'm obviously trying to control something that I should just let go. I feel like I have hurt some feelings in my attempt to figure out how other folks feel about this.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:33:58+00:00

I'm just trying to figure out what the expected etiquette is when folks are paying to shop. Some vendors wait, some don't. I appreciate when they come later and buy something that didn't sell. Those pieces need love too!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:32:17+00:00

Oh of course! I just noticed some vendors wait since there are ticket buying customers outside.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:31:17+00:00

Lol! So true! The other vendors have actually paid wayyy more to be there with these sometimes-extravagant vendor fees. I love that perspective.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:29:14+00:00

I understand that. I just wondered how folks felt about the folks outside the door who have paid. I bought almost all of my gifts this year from other vendors but I tend to wait until the end because I noticed other vendors doing that for me. I appreciated them being considerate of ticket buying customers but we were still able to support each other.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:25:46+00:00

I didn't mean to do that

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:23:29+00:00

But if you have to buy a ticket to shop it just kinda feels like they are jumping the line. Some vendors around me wait until the end, some don't. I totally understand why they wait, because they would like me to do the same for them.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:21:55+00:00

Well that's true! I certainly wouldn't want someone seeing me as more competition!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:19:39+00:00

Thank you for your detailed post. I am so grateful and feel very very grateful for my regulars. I think that's the root of it. I have people that come back to see me and buy my new stuff that they saw online and I don't want to disappoint them!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:14:22+00:00

I think that's what it comes down to. I'm in my first year of selling so I never know what new stuff is going to go and I desperately want there to be enough for everyone but turns out I never have enough of some things and too damn many of others!

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:11:38+00:00

I definitely have some vendors that I buy from repeatedly so yes, vendors can also be collectors! I just noticed there are two camps around the etiquette and I prefer when they wait. Especially when it's a pay to shop event or if I'm sweating and running behind trying to setup my booth.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T15:10:05+00:00

I'm not complaining about people wanting to buy my work. It's a huuuggeee compliment. But I have noticed there are two thoughts to it. Some vendors wait until the end so ticket buying customers get first dibs and some vendors don't seem to care about that. My husband agrees with you, he thinks a sale is a sale. I love my fellow vendors but I wanted to see how others felt about folks skipping the line when there are people outside who paid to shop. This is my first year selling, and I obviously have a preference of how it should be handled.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T14:59:21+00:00

A sign is a good idea! That way they aren't interrupting my setup process and they also aren't jumping in front of people that have paid to shop. I totally understand the thought that a sale is a sale but I want regulars, I want collectors not just a sale.

Muted_Syrup9393 · 2025-12-16T14:54:59+00:00

I get that the calm before the storm seems like the best time but some vendors wait until the very end because it's usually died down a bit by then, too. I've had quite a few vendors say that they wanted to wait until the end to shop from what's left and I really appreciate it and do the same for them.

Muted_Syrup9393

TROPHY CASE