The Stress and Euphoria of Craft markets: A Crafter’s Rollercoaster

My very first in-person event - September 2022

If you’ve ever spent a weekend under a tent surrounded by your handmade creations, a cash box, and a sea of curious shoppers, then you know — craft fairs are not for the faint of heart! At Crafting Therapy Shop, we’ve lived through the highs and lows of market season, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Here’s a peek behind the scenes of what it really takes to bring a booth to life — and why we keep coming back for more.

The Prep: The Calm Before the Creative Storm

The journey begins weeks (sometimes months) before the event. It’s a flurry of lists, labels, and late-night making sessions. There’s always that moment of panic: Do I have enough inventory? Then comes the eternal debate — Will people want keychains this time or more wooden signs? Should I bring everything? (Spoiler: we usually do.)

Pricing tags get printed, display racks are tested in the living room, and the tote bins start to take over every free corner of the house. Coffee becomes a food group.

But beneath the chaos is excitement — that bubbling anticipation of seeing people interact with your creations for the first time.

The Set-Up: Organized Chaos in Action

Show day arrives, and the car is packed to the ceiling. Somehow, we always forget one crucial thing (zip ties, anyone?). Then the real workout begins — unloading, hauling, assembling displays, and arranging products just right.

There’s a moment of satisfaction when the booth finally comes together: everything neat, colorful, and inviting. It’s a mini shop, created from scratch in just a few hours. The calm before the doors open is filled with deep breaths, last-minute tweaks, and maybe a silent wish that the weather stays perfect.

The Market: Energy, Connections, and Unexpected Joys

When the crowd starts to flow in, the energy is electric. You’re suddenly on — smiling, chatting, explaining, sharing stories behind each handmade item.

Every compliment feels like a hug. Every sale, a small victory. And sometimes, the conversations are even better than the transactions — connecting with people who appreciate the craft, fellow makers who instantly “get it,” and kids (and adults!) who light up when they see something you made.

It’s equal parts business and therapy — the good kind of exhaustion that fills your heart instead of draining it.

The CRAFT MARKETS Tear Down: Exhausted but Fulfilled

As the sun sets and the crowds thin out on the last day, you start the teardown. It’s not glamorous — packing bins, wrapping fragile pieces, folding tables, and loading everything back into the car. The adrenaline fades, replaced by a tired satisfaction (and maybe a craving for fries on the way home!).

Despite the sore feet and the messy aftermath, you can’t help but smile. Because amid all the stress — the prep, the heavy lifting, the unpredictable crowds — there’s an undeniable euphoria in sharing your art in person.

Booth setup in September 2025 - and still making improvements!

The Afterglow: Lessons, Laughter, and Gratitude

Each craft market teaches something new: what sold best, how to display better, and how to pack smarter. But more than that, each one reinforces why we do this in the first place — for the joy of creating, connecting, and celebrating handmade together.

Craft fairs may be stressful, sweaty, and slightly chaotic… but they’re also magical. And when you’re driving home, tired but smiling, you realize it’s more than just a market — it’s a community.

Have you ever been to a craft fair — as a shopper or a seller? Share your favorite moments (and funny mishaps!) in the comments. We’d love to hear how you find therapy through crafting, too! 💛

Joyfully yours,

Rebecca :)