My Market Stall Evolution: from an old blanket to mini-shop experience! ✨

When I look back at photos from my first ever market in December 2020, I honestly have to laugh a little.

At that point I’d only been doing ceramics for around two months. I had absolutely no idea whether anyone would want to buy my work, but I’d somehow convinced myself to apply for a market in Cardiff, where I was living at the time, anyway.

My entire setup consisted of:

• an old Ikea blanket,
• one range of handmade earrings,
• some business cards,
• a bit of string,
• and a random plant that I brought purely because the table looked far too empty.
• emotional support boyfriend

The earrings had to lay flat because I didn’t own any display stands, and I spent most of the morning trying to look calm as possible whilst internally panicking and having no idea what to do..

I genuinely expected nobody to stop at my stall.

Then somehow, by the end of the market, I’d made £438.

At the time that felt completely surreal. I remember leaving feeling like my brain chemistry had permanently changed. For the first time, I realised this tiny ceramics hobby might actually become something real. It was such an important time for me, as a lost creative stuck in the corporate world (and let's not forget, LOCKDOWN). It felt like the creativity that had nowhere to go for the past 5 years was rushing out and taking the reins.

Shortly after that market, I launched my website. At first, orders came mainly from friends and family, but gradually people I’d met at markets began following along too.

Of course, the journey wasn’t exactly smooth after that.

At the time I was still working from a community studio, and between my own mistakes and occasional mishaps within the studio, not every piece survived the process. Then after moving back to Nottingham the following year, I lost access to a kiln altogether. Thus, another creative halt.

Ceramics had to pause for a while as we renovated our first house whilst living at my partner’s parent's house in between. 

But eventually, after a lot of saving, I finally bought my first kiln in 2022.

That changed everything!

Suddenly I could experiment properly and consistently and at my own pace. I started creating larger pieces like bud vases and my monstera leaf dishes, which unexpectedly became one of my best-selling designs. I expanded my earrings collections too and began experimenting more confidently with colour.

Eventually, I built up enough confidence to start making mugs and tableware, and with that came the realisation that my market display needed to evolve too.

The first upgrades were simple:

• a better tablecloth
• earring stands to add a little height
• props to add depth
• and eventually sewing my own logo into the fabric.

Over time, I invested in more professional display pieces, including my Dust Shack peg boards and tabletop shelving. I also worked with graphic designer Hannah Valentine to refine my branding and later invested in a proper banner made by Tara Collette.

Now, six years on, my setup feels completely aligned with my work and brand values.

Ironically, when stripped back, it’s actually a very minimal setup. The peg boards and shelving create height and help the stall feel immersive and eye-catching, while still being lightweight and practical enough to transport easily on market days.

That’s probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through all of this:
your setup really doesn’t need to be overly complicated.

The work itself should do most of the talking.

And honestly, I’m still very fond of the Ikea blanket era too.

Have you seen my market set up out and about? I'd love to hear what you think. ☺️

If you ready along, it's lovely to have you here. Until next time! 👋🏼