On Saturday, June 6, I participated in Liberty Art On The Side as a vendor for the very first time.
I’ll be honest, I was nervous. Excited. Hopeful. Completely in my head.
What if people don’t connect with what I’m doing? What if I bought too much inventory? What if I didn’t buy enough? What if nobody stopped by my booth? What if everyone stopped by my booth? What if I can’t get my tent set up?!
The truth is, I had no idea what to expect.
As someone who had never participated in a vendor event before, stepping into an art fair felt like entering a completely different world. What I discovered almost immediately was how incredibly supportive that world can be. Artists, makers, and art enthusiasts showed up with kindness, encouragement, and genuine interest in one another’s success. There was no sense of competition; just community. It was refreshing and honestly a little inspiring.
One of my biggest concerns going into the event wasn’t whether I’d sell anything. It was whether people would connect with the vision behind Wildflower & Ember.
What I’m building is a little different. While there are certainly businesses that share pieces of the same idea, there isn’t anything quite like the creative, community-centered space I envision for Wildflower & Ember. Sharing that dream publicly for the first time felt vulnerable. The unknown always does.
But once I got set up and started talking with people, something shifted.
Not only were people excited about Wildflower & Ember—they wanted to see it succeed.
I sold coffee, y’all.
Not just one bag. Several.
More importantly, I had meaningful conversations with people who understood what I’m trying to create. I connected with fellow artists, met members of the community, and watched a tiny piece of this dream step out of my imagination and into the real world.
By the end of the day, every business card was gone.
I drove home tired, grateful, and even more motivated than before.
If Wildflower & Ember is still a seedling, Liberty Art On The Side felt like the first sign that it’s beginning to take root.
And for that, I’m incredibly thankful.