Vendor Life: The Flooded Booth Chronicles

There are days as a vendor when everything clicks: the weather is perfect, shoppers are plentiful, and the sales roll in like a dream. And then there are days like… yesterday.

Cue the extra obnoxious laugh—because sometimes, all you can do is laugh it off.

I put in so much time and energy preparing for this market. I had heirloom-quality treasures ready to go, a booth I was proud of, and high hopes. But the universe had other plans—in the form of ankle-high, puddle-filled chaos.

The Swamp Saga

Let’s set the scene: My booth was placed in one of the worst possible spots. Not just a little water—I'm talking about an actual puddle forming in my neighbor’s space and spreading across to mine and two other vendors. And while the event itself had excellent foot traffic, my booth might as well have had a “keep out” sign. No one wanted to step into the murky swamp to see my work.

Damage Control

Despite the mess, most of the damage was manageable:

• Fake foliage? Tossed—wet dye ruined my white displays.

• A few ring displays? Water-damaged.

• Table legs? Still damp this morning with cracked paint.

• Most jewelry? Covered in water marks (hello, polishing cloth).

• My rug? The MVP of my booth setup... and the biggest casualty.

I have no idea how to clean that rug, and honestly, just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

When to Stay, When to Pack Up

One of the hard rules at nearly every market I attend: do not pack up early or you risk being banned from future events. And I’ve always respected that. I pay to be there, and I’m proud to show my work rain or shine.

But after the third downpour, and after a strong gust flipped one of my tables and drowned my rug, a coordinator finally gave us the green light to start packing. Thank you to the amazing folks who helped me gather my scattered displays!

Holding On to Optimism

I remind myself of this: If someone shows up to a market in the rain, they’re probably ready to shop. And that’s real! But when your booth looks like a mini marshland, it's pretty inaccessible to even the most determined buyers.

Still, I’m not letting it get me down. I’ll be posting some treasures (and even a few cabochons I cut myself!) this evening at 6 PM ET. No auctions this time—just first come, first serve. Comment to claim.

The Takeaway

Vendor life isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s muddy, frustrating, and full of surprises. But it’s also full of lessons, community, and unexpected moments of support. Every market tells a story—and this one will definitely be remembered as the day the flood came for the jewels.

Until next time—stay dry, stay scrappy, and never lose your sense of humor.