Welcome to The Pop-Up Newsletter’s first edition! Each Sunday morning, you will receive an email newsletter that will contain tips of the trade, opportunities to learn, vendor highlights, event announcements, and thoughts and ideas in the Creative/Craft Market Space. If there are things you wish I included in future newsletters, shoot me an email and share your ideas.

I have learned so much in the last two years running KY Pop-Ups both from trial and error AND from my vendors themselves. We have such a creative community that always has ideas to share with me at each event. Hopefully, this newsletter will be a resource for all of us and a way to share things we have learned along the way and to put forth new ideas and strategies for each of us to grow in our creative business.

Lastly, I have had so many vendors these last two years who have been with me at many many events. We have grown together and, I hope, have learned from each other. Each event also brings new vendors who add so much to our growing community. I am so glad you are all here!

Starting an Etsy Shop

Some vendors sell not only at craft shows but also maintain some kind of online store as well. Where can you sell your goods online? Here are a few places:

• Your OWN website! (Shopify, Square, Wix - to name a few)

• Facebook and Instagram

• TikTok Shop

• Etsy

• Redbubble

I started an Etsy shop back in 2020 and find it a great place to get started. Not only is it pretty easy to set up, but Etsy drives a LOT of traffic which is hard to build on your website. It can be intimidating to start an Etsy shop - but it is not hard! Here is a video that walks you through setting up, making your first listing, and helping you drive traffic to your shop.

Tell us your WHY for starting the Autumn Spoon.

Ever since I was little, I KNEW I wanted to be a Mom, Wife, and to cook or bake. I have always enjoyed the science behind both cooking, canning, and baking, but there was always something so peaceful about baking! In 2016 and 2017 my daughter's hair began falling out. Our first reaction was to go on an elimination diet to see what could be the underlying cause. Of course the first 8 major allergens were the first to go. We had stopped into a gluten free bakery, and were so disappointed at the cinnamon roll! When I took it to the lady behind the counter she said "That's just gluten free baking." I replied "There has GOT to be another way". Immediately she encouraged me to figure it out! That began my journey of gluten free baking - BUT my journey into the market?

In 2021 I walked into the Local Lex Market to get some DELICIOUS lactation cookies from my friend Mercedes (The Leaky Momma) and saw they had apple butters! I LOVE making apple butter. I chatted with the lady at the checkout and told her I make a mean Bourbon Vanilla Apple Butter, and she told me to make her some and bring it in! When I did - she said "YOU NEED TO SELL THIS!!!, We are always accepting new makers!" I went home, chatted with my friend Gwen, ran through some logistics and applied for our licenses, and sought out a lady named Elizabeth about selling at her markets. SO quickly, we were making our goodies and selling our bougie boozy jams! We were making a killing! Eventually the need for gluten free goods became evident. So, I dusted off my gluten free apron and set to work! Gwen and I spent nearly two years at that point testing flours, and recipes and blind taste testing them against local bakeries until we could confidently say "they're identical!". Unfortunately, Gwen's schedule pulled her away, and I took over completely! Elizabeth kept pushing me to keep going, and to perfect my craft. Now, I have a fairly consistent gluten free bakery, new partnership with Leah, selling in coffee shops, and baking out of a dedicated kitchen! The people deserve delicious gluten free goodies and foods with compromising taste, or texture OR fear of cross contamination!! I will not rest until Lexington has a brick and mortar bakery/cafe and the gluten free culture has changed! What a day it will be when a family of mixed dietary needs can come in and eat a meal without fear of cross contamination!

What is your BESTSELLER?

Every SINGLE event we nearly sell out of our citrus shortbread bars (Lemon and Key Lime), or Raspberry Crumble bar, and S'mores bar! New favorites will be our jams and butters, and our giant poptarts! Newer to my events are cinnamon or sweet rolls. Just this last event we made 16 pans and came home with 3! 

What are your short term and long term goals for your business?

We just accomplished our first goal: get into a commercial kitchen and to sell our goods in coffee shops! Our goal for next year is to open up a brick and mortar cafe/bakery where ANYONE can come and eat! Eventually - our goal is to sell our goods nationwide, and then worldwide! Maybe even publish a couple of recipe books!

What is some advice you could give someone who wants to start a home bakery?

My advice is to start small. Don't overwhelm yourself with all of the gizmos and gadgets. A lot of them promise expedited processes, but they create more work! However - Big pans (3/4 sheet pans)? Buy them. As many as you can - trust me - they come in handy!

Be friendly with your local health department and officials! They are your allies, not your enemy. Following the rules when other bakers are breaking them sets you a part! And when you need a favor from your officials, you'll better be likely to receive them!

Use simple, but eye catching recipes! And with that - your packaging matters! 

Lastly, bake something different. If you really want a chance to stand out in a saturated market - do something others aren't!

What else would you like to share with us?

The Autumn Spoon isn't JUST for gluten free people, MANY times shoppers come into my booth and are BLOWN away that our goods are gluten free!!!! We don't just specialize in gluten free goods and jams/butters. We specialize in creating relationships with our clients! Your pan of cinnamon rolls were tough because they sat on your counter too long? I'll make you a new pan ASAP. Your dad had a tree fall on his shoulder and you're rushing him to the ER? No worries, I'll hold your goods until he's okay, or make you new. Having a rough week or year and need prayer? I will drop what I am doing, nothing is more important that you. Have a kiddo new to celiac but can't afford a birthday cake - DON'T EVEN WORRY! Always, always, always, We are for you. (Also - if you need regular baked goods - I kept my home bakery license to meet that need too!)

So you have a great product that is an expression of your creative soul and you are ready to join the Creative Market circuit. HOW you display your product is as important as the product itself. Here is a blog post from a seasoned vendor giving great advice on making your booth visually pleasing in an effort to showcase your hardwork.

Kentucky Pop-Up Events

August 3 - First Saturday at Fayette Mall in Lexington, KY. Event is outside, 11am-4pm; Booth Fee = $65

August 10 - Second Saturday at Hamburg Pavilion in Lexington, KY. Event is outside in Regal Cinema Parking Lot; 11am-4pm; Booth Fee = $55

August 24 - EKU is BACK TO SCHOOL Market in Richmond, KY. Event is outside; 11am-4pm; Booth Fee = $55

Other Creative Markets Resources

https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/KY

Kentuckyfestivals.net

Some Facebook Groups:

Craft & Vendor Fairs in KY & TN

Kentucky Handmade Craft Shows