Last weekend I participated in the Queen Bee Market. This was my third time as a vendor and my favorite experience so far. The event was packed both days from open to close and people seemed to be buying – not just looking – which is so awesome to see. (Hooray, handmade!)
I love the creative aspect of making and selling but I also equally enjoy the business side. Business is my background and watching people shop is fascinating to me. I love to see the trends (ampersands were everywhere) and what seems to fly off the shelves (this market it was big painted wooden signs and marquee lighting).
I spend a lot of time thinking about my business when surrounded by so many other small businesses. I think about what I can change. I think about what needs to stay the same. I think about where I want to take my shop and how I can simplify to make things better. It's inspiring to see handmade thriving.
And of course, it's also fun to be able to meet blog readers in real life and connect with other vendors. It was clear to me that Instagram is taking over though – I overheard "What's your Instagram name?" or "I follow you on Instagram" way more than I heard "Do you have a blog?" or "I read your blog." It's interesting to realize that one photo on Instagram may be a much better marketing tool than a long explanatory blog post. And it's also so clear that very soon having a mobile-ready shop will be absolutely necessary to do business.
Seriously… so much to think about when I ask myself the question "What's next?!" I never dreamed my pop-up stamp shop would grow into what it has (nearly 5,000 stamps sold!). I never imagined my random posts would develop into a career. I am so happy and grateful to be working on my craft daily.
All photos were taken by Nina of Blackbird Ink Photography.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- q&a on the shop and small business
- three things I know to be true / small business related.
- Confessions of an Entrepreneur
- big small business changes.
- Q & A : general questions.
- small business resources.
- BUILDING A BUSINESS / the ebook!
- how my work days roll
- more thoughts on "balance."
- reader question : online shop hosting.
- creative books I always return to.
- three things I know to be true / blogging.
- on motivation
enJOY it 
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