Maker Lessons from Market 5

We had our fifth market on August 14. I learned three lessons as a maker from that market.

1. Sometimes new is one of the best decisions you can make.

After hosting four markets in Decatur, market 5 was the first in Atlanta.

As a maker, it’s easy to want to rest on what is comfortable and reliable. But being a maker sometimes means taking risks and and trying something new.

2. The energy in the room at market 5 was magnetic and remarkably special due to gathering handmade makers and people to love to purchase handmade goods in one room.

As a maker I can contribute to that energy by showing up ready to share my wonderful goods and by supporting other handmade makers by buying their goods.

3. With the push for more video contents through Social Media platforms, Market 5 was an opportunity to capture not just photos but great video content.

As a maker during times where video is becoming king, I have to be more intentional about finding moments to capture memories through video.

Jazz Up Your Planner Life

Planners are a great way to stay focused and timely throughout the week. As artisans, makers and creatives, our style often pushes us to stand out instead of fitting in. Here are three ways to jazz up your planning life so your planner looks as hip as you do.

Watch a live session of an influencer who is savvy with planning as you prep for the week. A live session will give you tips, insight and fresh ideas on new ways to make planning your week fun. Here are a few IG accounts to follow – @planwithilysee, @theplannersociety, @planherway.
Incorporating stickers in your planning time is a quick way to incorporate your style. Stickers add a freshness to planning that brings instant joy as you prep for the week. Here are some planner businesses to purchase unique stickers – @goldmineandcoco, @naomilovedesigns.
Make it colorful. Using colorful makers and even painting your favorite colors is a great way to make your planner really pop.

How will you plan this week?

In the Beginning

“I really don’t want to be a part of that”

“I think that idea is stupid and you are crazy for thinking we will do that”

“Why would you think something like that will work? We’ve never done anything like that before. I don’t want to do that”

In my mind these were the scenarios that played out when I decided to approach Charlene, Jandi and Mina about my idea to start a market for makers. I sat on the idea for months because I thought they would think I was crazy. I knew deep in my heart that God had deposited this idea in me and had directed me to those three ladies. But the idea of starting a market for makers didn’t make any sense – especially when we hadn’t done it before. In the end, I knew I had two choices – would faith or fear have the final say?

If I had allowed my fear-filled scenario to play out in my mind, there would never have been a Craft Savvy Market. We would never have had all the wonderful experiences with makers and costumers that we have had over the past 3.5 years. Charlene, Jandi, Mina and I have launched four face to face markets, a virtual market and are slated to have our first online conference for makers – Resilient 2021 on Jan 9, 2021. We started without a business background and market experience and we’re still here.

Many of us walk around with great ideas and potential to launch awesome projects and collaborations. At some point we have to decide who will have the final say in our life. I have since learned that in order for faith to have the final say, there are three things I must do –

Acknowledge my fear but move forward anyway – Acknowledge that you do feel scared because you are heading into the unknown but move forward nevertheless.
Reflect on how I have been on the road of fear before and celebrate my wins – Sometimes when I feel afraid to start something new, I reflect on my Craft Savvy Market experience and remember where we are right now. I didn’t let fear win then and I won’t let it win now.
Share my story – Sharing my story of fear honestly releases fear’s power over me. Sometimes we keep our battles to ourselves but I’m realizing that the more I share my struggles, the more I realize that fear has no power or authority over me. Faith will have the final say in my life.

by Ciatta-Mae Stubblefield