Fair Season: Showing Up, Even When I Doubt Myself

Fair season always arrives with that familiar mix of excitement and nerves — the kind that flutters in your stomach no matter how many times you’ve done this. I love making things with my hands, I love the stories behind each piece, and I love meeting people who appreciate handmade… but I’ll be honest: I still shy away from putting my makes out there.

I never think they’re quite good enough.

Not neat enough.

Not clever enough.

Not whatever imaginary standard I’ve built in my head.

And yet — there I am again, packing up my 3×3 gazebo, folding tables, baskets of crochet, and my upcycled denim pieces, ready for another fair.

What gets me there isn’t confidence. It’s my sister.

She’s my champion — the one who sees my work clearly when I can’t. She’s the person who will pick up a toddler top I’ve made, hold it up to the light, and say, “Denise, look at this. It’s gorgeous.” She stands beside me at every fair, chatting to customers, rearranging displays, and reminding me (quietly, firmly) that handmade doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.

She believes in my makes on the days I struggle to believe in them myself.

And something shifts when we’re there together.

The nerves soften.

The doubts quieten.

The joy comes back.

Because fairs aren’t just about selling — they’re about showing up. They’re about letting people see the colours, the textures, the hours of care stitched into every piece. They’re about the conversations, the smiles, the “my nan used to crochet like this” moments. They’re about connection.

🌿 What I’ve Learned About Fairs (So Far)

Fair season has a way of teaching you things you didn’t even know you needed to learn. Some lessons are practical, some are emotional, and some are just plain funny — like the time I thought I’d left my payment machine at home, only to find it buried under a pile of tote bags like a shy little gremlin.

My stall

Here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way:

• You will forget something — and it’s rarely the catastrophe it feels like in the moment. My payment‑machine panic taught me to breathe first, rummage second, and trust that most things are fixable.

• A good fair partner is gold — and my sister is mine. She spots what I miss, keeps me calm, and somehow always knows where everything is. Having someone who believes in your work standing beside you makes the whole day brighter.

• Your setup doesn’t need to be perfect — customers care far more about the story behind your makes than whether your crates are perfectly aligned. Warmth beats perfection every time.

• People love seeing the maker at work — so I always take some crochet with me. It’s not just a comfort; it’s a brilliant talking point. People stop, watch your hands move, and suddenly you’re chatting about yarn, colours, memories, and the magic of making. It shows your pieces aren’t mass‑produced — they’re made with intention, right there in front of them. It’s also good to do when it’s quiet and makes me feel productive.

• Networking with other vendors matters — fairs aren’t just about customers. They’re about community. I’ve learned so much from chatting with other makers: display tips, pricing confidence, local event recommendations, even simple encouragement on a slow day. Makers understand makers, and those connections often become friendships.

• Every fair teaches you something — even the quiet ones. You learn what people pick up first, which colours draw them in, and which pieces spark stories. It all feeds back into your making.

🌼 Closing Thoughts

From this month onward, I’m choosing to show up — imperfect, nervous, proud, supported. Every fair reminds me that handmade isn’t about flawlessness; it’s about heart. It’s about the people who stop to talk, the makers who cheer each other on, and the sister who stands beside me, nudging me forward when I hesitate. And maybe, slowly, I’m learning to trust my hands as much as she does.

💛 If you’ve visited fairs or run your own stall, I’d love your thoughts. What makes a stall feel inviting? And do you enjoy chatting with the maker? Your insights help me show up with more confidence each time. Comment or send me a message I’d love to hear from you.

Happy crafting

D xx