We recently completed our first stall + workshop of the year, and it was a memorable journey for Knot Square. Not only was it our longest event yet, but it also marked our largest setup to date. The journey leading up to this point has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me.
Around two years ago, Vishal - my husband and I attended an event organized by A Hundred Hands, where we were captivated by the exceptional artistry and the talented artisans. Inspired by what we saw, I took to my Instagram page and shared a story expressing my desire to one day host a Knot Square stall. To my surprise, within just a month, an opportunity presented itself, leading to the inception of our very first stall, followed by a dozen more in the subsequent months.
Fast forward to January of this year, when I stumbled upon a post from A Hundred Hands inviting applications for stalls from non-members. Without hesitation, I reached out to express my keen interest. After promptly providing the requested details, I received swift approval to participate. However, there was a catch – I was required to commit to all five days of the event, with no option for a half stall.
I was eager to participate, but the financial commitment was substantial for a small business like mine. Since only my handmade products were allowed, I had to create numerous macrame pieces and couldn't include the curated handmade wooden items I typically offer (although this was just my assumption). I pondered over it, but my resolve to proceed was firm. I didn't know how I would manage it all, but I decided to say yes.
I had precisely a month to prepare, along with a few existing orders to fulfill. I took a moment to sit down and create a checklist, along with a rough calculation of the number of products I would need to make in order to cover costs and turn a profit. I instantly realized I had taken on more than I could handle, but my determination to see it through remained unwavering. Without looking back, I completed the existing orders and began preparations for the stall.
However, an unplanned visit to my hometown for a couple of days disrupted my plans. With no time to waste, I booked a last-minute train ticket and made basic preparations to knot a few key tags while traveling and at home. Despite the overnight journey and the inconvenience of securing an upper berth due to the last-minute booking, I knew time was slipping away. With prior preparations in place, I managed to work on a few pieces while lying down, using the reading light on the train to knot the key tags. Upon reaching home, I added the finishing touches to them. Unfortunately, on my way back, I couldn't secure a train ticket and had to opt for a bus booking, which didn't allow me to work during the journey. Upon my return, I took some much-needed rest before diving back into work.
As I've never been an early bird, I often worked late into the night. Putting Knot Square first was my top priority. Though I simultaneously made efforts to accommodate the needs of family and friends, stay hydrated, and maintain my sanity, after a point it all began to take a toll on me. I did not find myself in a good state of mind. Moreover, despite my mom's constant reminders to wear a mask while knotting to avoid exposure to cord dust, I fell sick, forcing me to rest.
Even with time off, I constantly felt guilty of not being productive and attempted to share content on Instagram and YouTube to make myself feel better. However, I soon realized that this approach wasn't effective, and I acknowledged the need for proper rest. Meanwhile, I knew I had to manage it all. I made sure to communicate openly with everyone, explaining that I needed to prioritize Knot Square and myself. During this time, Vishal took on additional household responsibilities while continuing to support me as much as he could. We stepped out at night for walks to get some fresh air, which helped me relax and refresh.
Upon recovering, I resumed making products and focused on creating new designs. I set daily targets and diligently worked towards achieving them. While mostly I succeeded, there were also moments when I fell short of my goals. But I didn't worry much as I was in a better state to handle it.
I envisioned creating a DIY product catalogue so that even if a certain product wasn't available for display or gets sold out early, I'd have a picture handy to show to the customer, rather than having to scroll through my phone. As this idea had been on my mind for some time, I had already purchased a beautiful diary where I could easily stick printouts of the images. In addition to this, I envisioned creating a beautiful setup, utilizing vertical space on the table. I also wanted to make price tags for all products. In the days leading up to the event, I focused on all these aspects and made sure everything was ready and exactly the way I wanted it to be.
Thanks to all the planning, the day before the event provided me with some time to breathe, and I felt confident about hitting it off.
Stay tuned for the next part of our journey...
-Archana Harish
Click here to watch the reel on our Instagram Page @knotsquare.in
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