✨ Creating Curly’s Corner: Behind My Market Stall 🎨

There is something slightly surreal about looking back at photos of my market stalls over the years… 

At the time, I never really thought much about how much they were changing. I was always too busy worrying about whether I had packed everything, whether I had enough stock, how I was going to fit it all in the car and, inevitably, whether I’d forgotten the card reader. 😂

But when I put the photos next to each other, I can see just how much my little market setup — and my business — has grown.

What started as one fairly simple table for Curly Locks’ Canvases has slowly turned into the colourful little world that is now Curly’s Corner.

It started with the Art 🎨

In the early days, the main focus of my market table was my artwork.

I had my canvases, mini paintings, cards and a few smaller handmade pieces, but the table was very much centred around the paintings themselves.

I was still figuring out what worked.

How much stock should I bring?
How should I display everything?
What needs to be at eye level?
How do I make a table look full without making it look completely chaotic?

And honestly… I’m still figuring some of that out it’s always changing! 

…But those early stalls were where I started learning what it actually meant to take my art business out into the real world and put it in front of people.

As the business grew, so did the products.

Suddenly my table wasn’t just paintings.

There were illustrated cards, prints, bookmarks, little painted pieces, accessories, stationery, magnetic bottle openers, pencil cases, jewellery boxes, tote bags and all sorts of colourful little things.

And that meant my table had to grow with it.

I started using crates, shelves, grids and different levels to make better use of the space. Instead of everything sitting flat on one table, products could be displayed at different heights and people could actually browse through everything comfortably  

This was probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt from doing markets:

Your table isn’t just somewhere to put your products. It’s part of the whole experience.

You can see the old Curly Locks' Canvases branding in some of the earlier setups, including the colourful painted logo and QR code Then, as the business developed beyond canvases, the idea of Curly’s Corner started making more sense because that is what it had become. A little corner filled with the things I’ve made, things I’ve designed, colourful finds and products that I genuinely love.
The table became brighter, busier and much more playful — but also more intentional.

 

I started thinking about how someone walking past would see it from a distance, what would make them stop, and then what would make them want to come closer and have a proper look.

I also learnt that MORE isn’t always better…

Although my tables have definitely got bigger and fuller over the years, I’ve learnt that simply putting more things on the table doesn’t necessarily make it better.

I’ve had stalls where I’ve tried to squeeze absolutely everything onto one table and ended up with products fighting for attention. 😂

I’ve learnt to give things space.

Some products need to be displayed individually.
Some look better grouped together.
Some need to be higher up.
Some are perfect for people to pick up and rummage through. Some definitely aren't and need to be in the please don't touch zone. 

And then there are those products that you put somewhere thinking “this will definitely catch people’s attention” and they completely ignore it.

Meanwhile, something you almost didn’t bring sells out. 🤪

Markets are very good at keeping you humble.

One thing you probably don’t think about when you first start doing markets is how much stuff you need to transport.

It’s not just the products.

It’s the tablecloths.
The stands.
The crates.
The signage.
The packaging.
The card reader.
The price labels.
The bags.
The storage boxes.

And somehow, despite packing everything the night before, there is always one thing sitting at home on the kitchen counter. Like the keys to the cash box 🙄 (that’s happened before!) 

Over time I’ve tried to make everything easier to transport and quicker to set up, while still making the finished table look colourful and full. 

The grid displays have become particularly useful because they give me somewhere to hang things like my painted tote bags while also adding height to the table or my macramé keyrings they’re always a little over looked until they’re at eye level! I also use crates and wooden displays to keep the table looking fresh and clean. 

What I really love about markets!

As much as I love seeing the growth of my displays, the thing I love most about doing markets is the people.

Someone walking past and suddenly stopping because a painting caught their eye.
Someone picking up a funny greeting card and laughing.
Someone recognising a design from my social media.
Someone coming back to tell me that they bought something from me at a previous market.

Those little moments are why I keep doing them. 
Online, it's very easy to see numbers, views, Likes, Followers etc... but Sales at a Market you get to see an actual person pick up something that you've spent hours making and you get to see them fall in love with it then and there. The excitement they have on their face for YOUR products! There is something so special about that as a creator! 

From Curly's Canvases to Curly's Corner

Looking back at all of my table setups feels a little bit like looking through old baby photos.

The Products have chnaged.
The Branding has changed.
The displays have changed.

I’ve learnt what works, what absolutely doesn’t work and how much stuff can physically fit into a car before you start questioning your life choices. 😂
My Table isn't perfect and I'm sure it will forever keep changing but that's what I love about it. 

Every market teaches me something new. 
Every setup gets tweaked and slowly, over the years, those little changes have turned one simple art table into Curly's Corner 

And honestly?

... I can't wait to see what the next few versions look like! 💜✨