Beyond the Veil: Confessions of a Vendor

Salem Saturday Market

March - October, 2024 Saturdays [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

The Salem Saturday Market is far from over, but after the first day, I wanted to reflect.

Even though it hasn’t been that long since my last event, I felt a little out of practice. And I definitely underestimated how much space my new tent needed—packing everything up felt like the final boss level of Tetris.

Markets and shows always make me nervous, but surprisingly, this one was smooth sailing. Between Oregon’s unpredictable weather and fewer vendors (many farmers are still waiting on their crops), I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was proven wrong.

The market was full of energy, and hearing those familiar "oohs" and "awes" over my work was exactly what I needed. It reminded me why I do this—why I pour so much into my craft and this business. Seeing both new and familiar faces made me feel at home again, and it reaffirmed that I’m on the right path.

Here’s to another great season!

Salem Creatives Handmade Market

December 13-29, 2024 Fri - Sun [⭐⭐⭐⭐★]

This event was put together by the same group behind the Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market. I had done one of their events in 2019 (not my best market—see that review below), but this pop-up was a completely different experience.

Held in a vacant store inside Salem Center Mall, it was a fresh concept thanks to the new local owners who let us test it out. The market ran Friday through Sunday, with each vendor setting up their own mini storefront. The best part? We didn’t have to man our booths the whole time—instead, vendors took turns running the space.

That setup was a lifesaver because I got the flu and couldn’t be there in person. Even while I was dying at home, I still made sales, which felt like passive income magic.

I was part of the first group of vendors, and the fact that the pop-up is still going strong says a lot. The new mall owners are very locally focused, making space for small businesses, and I can’t wait to be part of it again and see how it grows.

Salem Holiday Market

December 13-15, 2024 [⭐⭐⭐★★]

This event is run by the same folks behind the Salem Saturday Market, but somehow, I completely forgot about it and signed up late. Luckily, we snagged a last-minute spot.

Held indoors at the Oregon State Fair Expo Center, it was split between two buildings with over 250 vendors. Our booth was smaller than we’re used to—think artist alley at a comic con—which made setup a bit of a nightmare, but we made it work.

There was no entry fee, but parking was paid. Another holiday event on the property helped bring in extra foot traffic, and while it started slow, it ended up being a great and prosperous event. Lots of familiar faces from the Salem Saturday Market stopped by, happy to see us and pick up gifts. Definitely worth the last-minute scramble.

Salem Saturday Market

March - October, Saturdays 2024 [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

I love being a vendor at the Salem Saturday Market. Having a recurring event from March to October lets me build real connections with customers, many of whom come back just to see what’s new. Every week, I’d bring fresh designs, and hearing the gasps, oohs, and awes never got old.

Markets like this aren’t just about fresh food and handmade goods—they celebrate the artistic talent in the community. This market has been a constant for me, and I’ll always keep coming back.

It’s also where I had a realization: I own this business, and I can do whatever the hell I want. So we leveled up the booth, and I decided to dress as a forest elf—which, honestly, changed everything. Best decision ever.

Moth and Flame Makers Market

April 21, 2024 [⭐⭐★★★]

I had high hopes for this event, but it just didn’t catch fire. The venue at Reed Opera House had a cool vibe, but foot traffic was low, and most people who stopped by were just browsing.

There wasn’t an entry fee, but that didn’t seem to help. It felt like not many people even knew the event was happening. The venue itself isn’t the most accessible either—finding it inside the building was tricky, which probably didn’t help with attendance.

I love the idea of this market and hope it gets more traction in the future, but this one just didn’t have the turnout to make it worthwhile.

Market for the Strange Punk's Not Dead

May 11, 2024 [⭐★★★★]

I’ve done a few Market for the Strange events, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a punk-themed market, but whatever I imagined, this wasn’t it.

Tucked away in the very back corner, I felt like I’d been put in time-out. A lot of people gave up before making it to my booth, which was frustrating. The paid entry and parking probably didn’t help—fewer attendees, less energy, less sales.

I love this event and wish there were more like it, but this one just felt off. Maybe it was the layout, the fees, or something else, but it was a rough day.

Salem Pride in the Park 

September 21, 2024 [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

I’d never vended at a Pride event before, and new events always make me nervous. But the event staff went above and beyond, and I even ran into an old friend helping out, which made everything so much easier.

Jordan and I split up so he could vend at Salem Saturday Market, and a bunch of our regulars asked about me—great advertising for this event. The weather was perfect, and you could feel the excitement in the air.

The atmosphere was welcoming, and the staff checked in constantly to make sure vendors had what they needed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that level of care at an event.

Easily five stars. Can’t wait to do it again.

Cherry City Flea

Salem Center Mall Salem, Oregon April 07 2024 [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

We attended the latest Cherry City Flea at the Salem Center Mall, and it was a resounding success! This new location was perfect, especially with the resurgence of malls. The event was bustling, giving me little time to rest, but it was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow vendors. This market truly embodied my vision for the community – a diverse, accessible gathering. I always thought the mall would be ideal for these events, and I was absolutely right. It drew a wider audience and offered easy access for everyone. This gets a perfect 5 out of 5 stars – it couldn't have been better!

Cherry City Flea

Salem convention center Salem, Oregon June 04 2023 [⭐⭐⭐⭐★]

This venue was a bit of a mystery to me, having only graced its halls for corporate gatherings. Vending at a themeless market there was a definite learning curve (and a-ha moment!), and while we secured our coveted corner booth, foot traffic felt a bit sparse. We managed to break even, earning the market a solid 4 out of 5 stars. While the event itself was well-run and the customers friendly, I think the location may have been a touch off the beaten path. This experience, though, was a valuable lesson in the power of theme and the importance of bustling foot traffic. Time to scout out those vibrant markets and unleash our full potential!

Market For the Strange

Reed Opera House Salem, Oregon June 11 2023 [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

If you're searching for a market that whispers "witchcraft" and screams "creativity," look no further than Market for the Strange. This event, lovingly crafted by spooky-enthusiast vendors, was a dream come true for anyone who embraces the weird, wonderful, and yes, occasionally macabre. The setting, the historic Reed Opera House's ballroom, added a touch of gothic grandeur, and the air crackled with an infectious energy of like-minded spirits. Stepping into this market was like finding my long-lost tribe, where oddity wasn't just tolerated, it was celebrated. Five out of five stars, hands down. My fingers are crossed for a vendor spot next time, even if their popularity (well-deserved, of course!) makes it a tad competitive.

West Salem’s Artisan Market

At the Corner Gallery Salem, Oregon May 20 2023 [⭐⭐⭐★★]

The market itch wouldn't quit! After a two-year break, we dusted off our display and found ourselves nestled in the back of a cozy gallery, just around the corner from our studio. Nervous excitement, as always, bubbled in my tummy, but this time, a new feeling joined the party: anticipation. The air was quiet, almost meditative, like stepping into a hidden garden tucked away from the bustle.

Okay, maybe "quiet" is an understatement. You could have heard a feather fall, or perhaps the whispered secrets of antique paintings (we were in a gallery, after all). Turns out, our market day coincided with a bigger event down the street, which meant foot traffic wasn't exactly bustling. But a few curious souls did wander in, lured by the promise of unique treasures. Luckily, their purchases covered the table fee (whew!).

Three out of five stars? Not rave reviews, but here's the thing: while the quiet was…well, quiet, there were unexpected perks. The gallery owner was a gem, the table fee was pocket change, and most importantly, it was a practice run for our rusty market muscles. We dusted off the cobwebs, remembered the joy of face-to-face interactions, and picked up some valuable lessons about timing and promotion.

Wizard World

 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon December 07 2020 [⭐★★★★]

Our second stop as Stargazer Goods felt less like a geek utopia and more like a barren lunar landscape. Two car trips in our trusty Toyota Camry later, we set up shop—just as whispers of a strange new virus, COVID-19, rippled through the crowd.

But the real buzzkill wasn’t pandemic paranoia—it was the deafening silence from the so-called crowd. The three-day event dragged on with vendors spending more time swapping commiserations than making sales. The consensus? Total bust. The organizer’s black hole of advertising had sucked away any chance of real foot traffic. Meanwhile, a competing event thrived in the same building, rubbing salt in the wound.

We clawed back our investment and even scraped a small profit, but the aftertaste was bitter. This wasn’t our first rodeo with this organizer, either. Back in 2021, we signed up for another of their shows but bailed due to COVID concerns. The $500+ booth fee? Lost to the void—only recovered years later after a company overhaul. Let’s just say, trust wasn’t the prevailing theme.

This event gets a one-star rating, and that single star goes not to the organizers, but to the fellow vendors who endured the quiet with us. The next market awaits, and we’ll step in with lessons learned and eyes wide open. Because even under a lackluster moon, the stars still shine.

Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market 

Oregon Fairgrounds Salem, Oregon December 07 2019 [⭐⭐★★★]

Tinsel shimmered, "Live Laugh Love" signs reigned, and our booth of Ouija necklaces and celestial jewelry sat like a gothic outpost in a sea of farmhouse kitsch. We squeezed into a corner, bracing for a mismatch.

And mismatch it was. Startled shoppers sidled up, then scurried away at the glint of a planchette pendant. I could only laugh. But then—a twist. A gaggle of older women, eyes twinkling with mischief, swooped in. They reminisced about slumber party séances, embracing the spooky spirit with giddy delight. Their laughter, a rare warmth in the festive bustle.

Jordan’s screen-printed designs bridged the gap, helping us recoup our table fee. But this wasn’t our crowd. Not for lack of charm—just a misalignment of energies. A detour, not a dead end. The next market awaits, and this time, we’ll waltz to its rhythm.

Oddities & Curiosities EXPO

Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon October 09 2019 [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

Nerves buzzed as we unloaded for the very first Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo. Back then, we were Renegade Made, a name soon left behind in the whirlwind of this event. My partner, a wizard with ink, stood beside me, his hand-printed tote bags ready to enchant. Nestled in a corner, I worried—had we found our people, or had we miscalculated?

Fear, like a startled bat, vanished fast. A tidal wave of curious customers surged toward our booth, craning necks above the sea of heads to devour our oddities. Breathless breaks were stolen in the chaos, sensory overload in the best way.

Not just a market—a symphony of the macabre. The organizers were fantastic, the crowd electric. Now, getting a vendor spot feels like chasing moonbeams. But that first taste of magic? That ember still burns, waiting for the day we rejoin the wondrous dance of the strange and fabulous.

Market Obscura

Lovecraft Bar Portland, Oregon May 18 2019 [⭐⭐⭐⭐★]

My Nissan Altima rumbled through Portland’s rain, nerves fluttering in my stomach. This was it—my first market, back when “Renegade Made” was just a fragile dream. The trunk held jewelry boxes and display stands like anxious passengers, my mom beside me, the ever-silent navigator.

The venue? A dimly lit bar draped in velvet, decorated with coffins. My booth? A repurposed restaurant booth near the entrance—less furniture to haul, but an odd challenge for display.

The day was a whirlwind. Nervous hellos turned into genuine connections, customers admiring my work, their eyes sparkling under dim, bohemian lighting. Fellow artists shared stories, forming bonds beyond beads and trinkets. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and undeniably magical.

Cramped? Yes. But the energy, the people, and the joy of seeing my creations adored made it worth it.

Market Obscura is gone now, a memory tucked in the dusty corners of my journey. But it’s where I took my first leap—and found a world ready to be adorned.