My First Market as a Chronically Ill Chrocheter: Nerves, Yarn, and Way Too Many Lists

I did it... I signed up for my first market. And I know I've blogged about how I'm prepping for this before, but I've been alternative between the "this is going to be amazing!" and "why on earth did I think that I could do this?" thoughts for SO LONG now. Preparing for my first event feels like stepping into a whole new world. How do I even know how much to bring? What if no one buys anything at all? What if my body decides to completely betray me halfway through the day? (Okay, with the way I've been doing recently, the last one feels more like an "if" than a "when".)

Here's what I've learned so far while getting ready for this big first:

1. You Don't Need a Giant Inventory

When you're new, it's tempting to think you need hundreds of pieces to fill the table. Reality check, I'm one person, one creator, with one set of hands, and my body has a lot going on. So my table will look like my table. Not the Instagram version of perfection.

I'm reminding myself that variety matters more than quantity. A mix of dishcloths, clothes, and household items will be more than enough of a start for people to see my style.

2. Rest is Part of the Preparation!

This is my biggest lesson already... pacing matters. My instinct was to crochet nonstop until my hands fell off, but I know what that leads to; a flare up that takes me out for days. Instead, I'm treating rest days as prep days. They're not wasting time, they're survival, because I know if I know up to my first market exhausted, it won't matter how many things I've made, they'll just have to sit there while I nap under the table.

3. Planning for Comfort is Just as Important as Planning Products

Yes, I've thought about yarn. But I've also thought about:

• a comfy chair

• snacks that I can eat without crashing later

• water (and more water)

• emergency medication

• Jared (aka my designated muscle for the heavy lifting and security guard)

The reality is, the market won't be fun if I can't actually be there in body and spirit. Comfort isn't optional, it's part of the packing list.

4. My Nerves are Normal

I keep wondering, what if no one buys anything? What if I'm just sitting there with my crochet stuff staring back at me? But here's the thing, it's my first market. I don't need to sell out to succeed. Just showing up, setting up my booth, and being part of the community, is a win. And if nothing else, I get to spend my day surrounded by people, yarn, and conversation. That's not failure, just a beginning.

5. Connection over Perfection

I think the part that I'm most excited for isn't sales, it's the connection. It's the stories people will share when they touch my crochet, the little kids who will stop and point, the strangers who might become returning customers. Crochet it more than the stitches, it's about human connection. And I want my first market to be a day where those connections start!

To Wrap Up

My first market may not be flawless, and it definitely will not be perfect. But it's the first step in something I've been dreaming about for a long time. If I can show up with my yarn, my slightly imperfect little inventory, and my chronically ill body doing it's best, then that's more than enough. And maybe, just maybe, I'll sell that dice bag I was considering using.