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Beth Spencer's avatar

Your setup looks great! And YES to the umbrella. E-Z up tents are my mortal enemy! I loved hunting for stuff to use in thrift shops to use. I used a cat scratching for my pinback button display! 😸

I loved doing markets when I lived in New Mexico! There was a website the big farmer's markets used, I wonder if it has any LA markets you might want to check out. I'll paste it below!

https://managemymarket.com/home.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmanagers%2fMarkets.aspx

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Kimberly Gee's avatar

We have a mutual enemy…

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ashlyn's avatar

Woah this is cool, than you!! A scratching post is a great idea- I think the more unique set ups stand out too!!

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Mitchell Volk's avatar

Love what you’ve done with the Prixel! Those cats are great

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ashlyn's avatar

Thank you!!! Its such a perfect tv activity for me!

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Sabine Kaur's avatar

Ashlyn, thank you for this helpful information. I’ve been wanting to start a little craft business for some time but am having trouble justifying the expense for what I envision as a small scale operation. Your words resonated; “For me, selling my art in this way is less about the growth and the business aspect. It’s more another avenue, a hobby, a chance to connect with my community and see real human people engage with my work!!” You’ve motivated me to find a way. And I love your stories - omg I wanted you to win the pig!

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ashlyn's avatar

I'm so glad!! I reallyyyy don't want to run a business is what I've realised, I want to make that part the easiest and most straightforward possible so that I can spend more time doing art. I might never sell that much, but at least I spend most of my time painting!!

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Kimberly Gee's avatar

Those tiny paintings!!! Also quite loving the pixel paintings! Your fun-factor shines through in your explorations— not a bad through line.

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Eliza Wheeler's avatar

This is fantastic, Ashlyn — thank you for sharing. Craft Fairs sit in this someday-maybe slot in my head, and it’s helpful to have you organize and reflect on all these considerations. Thank you!!

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ashlyn's avatar

Yay! I think you would have fun- it's nice to have the books as an easy thing to sell, and then add in some fun merch things on the side. I usually sell at least a couple books each fair, which is really fun!

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Eliza Wheeler's avatar

It looks super fun! And the sign 'Art & Fluff' is just *chef's kiss*

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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

I should try this ... I just worry it will be way too expensive to hire a stall. Only one way to find out!

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ashlyn's avatar

It's definitely tough to find affordable places. There are some in LA that even have a non-refundable application fee, which is crazy to me :(.

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Geoffrey Golden's avatar

Thanks for the shoutout for my NEWsletter! Many years ago, we used to exhibit at the Rose Bowl in a comics and nerd stuff section that was in a football locker room. (The irony!) The sales were never spectacular, but we made a profit and learned how to hand sell.

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ashlyn's avatar

HA!! It's pretty fun to see where these all are taking place, too! I hadn't thought of the Rose Bowl, I wonder if the Flea Market allows crafts.....

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