Tag: fear

In the Beginning

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 –

  1. Acknowledge my fear but move forward anyway – Acknowledge that you do feel scared because you are heading into the unknown but move forward nevertheless.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

Top lessons learned from our first market – Part 2

Top lessons learned from our first market – Part 2

craft market atlanta

As crafters, we are all about risks. We take risks when we use new materials, try new projects, mix different mediums, etc. On a warm summer afternoon in June, we crammed into a booth at Panera Bread and took a risk. We agreed to work together to carry out our first Craft Savvy Market. 

Here we are almost four months after our first market day and now that we have exhaled we are sharing our top lessons. Read part one of our lessons learned here. Apply to be a part of Craft Savvy Market here.

3. The Power of Working As a Team

I learned a great deal  from the first Craft Savvy Market, but one of the things that stuck out was the power of working as a team. I built my first business with tons of support from friends and loved ones, but it often gets lonely and you feel like you’re carrying most of the load. Working with my three co-founders opened me up to multiple ways of skinning the proverbial cat. We thought through potential problems (and opportunities!) as a team and that usually resulted in us coming up with a better path forward.

On the emotional front, it’s easy to get discouraged or fearful when you are doing something new or different. I loved how if I was struggling, one of my Craft Savvy Market teammates could cheer me on and offer help. We prayed together, found scriptures together and I think that shared strength and accountability helped us to finish strong.

 

Charlene

4. Taking the First Step Anyway

As a creative, I often struggle with the logical side of my brain. I want to be free to create, but I also need to have some control of the process and the outcome. One of my biggest take away from our first Craft Savvy Market is that I do not have to have all the answers in order to take a step. I typically want to make safe decisions that are bound to work out. And while caution is healthy, too much of it prevents us from growing and trying new things.  

As we planned for the market, I quickly realized that I didn’t have all the answers and neither did the other ladies. But a great part of this process was about being available to learn and figure things out along the way. I walked away on March 10 knowing that no matter what, I need to take the step. Whether it’s a baby step or  a slow drag with me holding on to someone’s leg, I need to be courageous and take steps.

Jandi

Maybe you participated in a craft market for the first time or you took a creative risk for the first time. What new understanding did you possess after the experience? We would love to hear from you.