Why I love going to markets

My booth set-up at Gobble Up PDX, 2025

When I first decided to start selling my work, I thought I would be primarily online. I wasn’t certain, as an introvert, that I would enjoy being at markets and art shows. I’m not sales oriented, I’m a maker…so I was curious as to how it would be to interact with potential customer.

My very first piece that sold is a testament to why this brings me joy. I had a scarf that I wove with yarn I had dyed—a deep burgundy and a mellow gold. The design was a play with the two colors and the overall look was one of elegant royalty.

Here’s the scarf fresh off the loom, drying in my yard.

The woman who purchased it told me that she was going to a celebration of life for one of her best friends the next day—and her friend was a weaver…who loved burgundy. She bought the scarf to wear to the service, and I still smile thinking about that conversation.

Every time I go to a show, I have beautiful encounters like that one…and it brings me so much joy to know that the pieces I have worked on for days (sometimes weeks) are going to people and homes with a personal connection.

So, while I will keep my online shop here, I don’t push it out…I let the site represent me, my work and my values, and I send personal notes when people purchase from here..but mostly, I look forward to the time I get to spend with people IRL.