How I (almost) missed my first sale
Hi, I'm Bia, and I think it's time to tell you a story.
A lot has happened recently, and somehow it feels like the right moment to properly introduce myself, even if I've had the idea of writing this for ages.
But that's probably a thing you'll discover about me: I have far too many ideas in my head. Sadly, not all of them make it into real life.
Why now?
Because July was... a lot.
Right around the time Colored Art From Heart turned six months old, my business cards arrived. I loved finally holding them in my hands and I felt a little proud, especially since I designed them myself.
The next big milestone: launching my website. Again, built entirely by me.
And then, even before those hot summer nights, mid-July... (if you know, you know), I exhibited at my very first craft fair.
Aaand... that's where today's story begins:
(Apparently, the only thing I do more than collecting ideas is talking... or writing, in this case)
My very first craft fair
The week before the market looked exactly how you'd imagine.
Embroidery.
Crochet.
Threads absolutely everywhere.
Parcels with the last few things I needed seemed to fly (or maybe they actually did) over the garden fence, all rushing to help me get everything ready in time.
Meanwhile, my husband and our cat, Missy, curled up on his legs, quietly watched me from the sofa. Amused but cautious.
And then, there were the emotions.
Excitement. Stress. Impatience.
And that feeling of wondering what it would be like to sell one of my creations in person for the very first time.
I had also prepared a brand new collection especially for the market, one that my husband helped bring to life. Somehow, that made it feel even more special.
The morning of the market arrived.
While I was still taking photos of those new products... you know, just in case they sold and I'd never photographed them, someone else (and no, not Missy) was carrying boxes, display stands, shopping bags and trays out to the car.
The same car that would soon be driving his artist to her very first craft fair, while he patiently kept reminding her that everything was going to be alright.
He was incredibly supportive through all of it. Which is exactly why I think he deserved what happened a little later that day.
We arrived at the market, where our friends were already waiting to cheer me on. Seeing familiar faces there meant more than I can put into words. It made me feel calmer... and a little more confident.
Then came one of my favourite moments of the day. For the very first time, I arranged a table filled entirely with my own creations. Every piece had its place. The Colored Art From Heart logo stood proudly above them, and my brand new business cards were neatly displayed in their little holder.
It felt... real.
Before I'd even finished adjusting the last few details, people had already started arriving.
My excitement grew with every person who stopped to look.
The first hour of the market flew by.
I received lovely compliments, chatted with a few visitors and some people even picked up my business cards.
But...
no sales.
With only half an hour left, my optimism slowly started slipping away somewhere underneath the table (which, by the way, looked exactly the same as it had when the market began).
And that's when I decided it was probably a good time to go to the bathroom, and leave my stand for a few minutes in the hands of the person who had been my right-hand man throughout those hectic days: my husband.
When I came back, he looked at me, smiled and said:
"We made our first sale!"
So yes, my dear readers... the very first sale Colored Art From Heart ever made at a craft market was made by my husband.
Which makes the story even funnier when I tell you that... it also turned out to be the only sale of the day.
It wasn't quite the ending I'd imagined.
Was I a little disappointed?
Of course.
But every beginning comes with a few unexpected chapters.
Two weeks later, there was another market waiting for me... and I was already thinking about what I could make next.