I came across this opportunity offered by Klayworkz Barista, Bengaluru on Instagram, providing small businesses and artists with a platform to put up stalls and showcase their products/art. I thought it would be a perfect chance for Knot Square to explore new possibilities.
Excited about the opportunity, I signed up and began the preparations. Drawing from my previous stall experience, I rechecked my existing stock, ordered raw materials, started knotting, and even worked on enhancing the visual presentation of the stall. While I felt confident in my preparation process, I couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about the outcome.
The day before the event, my husband and I visited the venue to familiarize ourselves with the surroundings. We also had the opportunity to speak with the small business owners who had set up their stalls that day. They were kind enough to share their experiences.
Back at home, I packed all the necessary items for the next day and made sure everything was ready. However, sleep didn't come easily that night due to the excitement.
The next morning, on arriving at the venue, I quickly began setting up the stall according to my plan, as I already had a clear idea of how I wanted it to look. After completing the set up, we took a few pictures and videos and eagerly awaited customers. The owner of the barista suggested that we approach customers ourselves instead of waiting for them to come to our table. Although it was initially challenging for me to talk to strangers about my products, I pushed myself to give it a try, and it surprisingly worked quite well. You approaching directly, even if it doesn't always lead to immediate sales, creates an opportunity to introduce them to your art and establish a connection, which I believe is a great starting point. Regardless of what I am aware and have done, as an individual, I still remain uneasy about the situation. :)
Having patiently waited, witnessing a young girl and her mother taking notice of my products while visiting a neighboring booth filled me with delight. The immense pleasure of seeing the customer appreciate and purchase my handcrafted items reassured me of the value and impact of all the efforts I pour into the creative process.
A couple of our friends took the time to visit us, which made me feel very special.
End of the day my heart was full of gratitude. I'm thankful to everyone who supported us, spread the word, visited our stall, made purchases, and even those who virtually explored the stall and shopped.
I'm eagerly looking forward to more such experiences in the future.
-Archana Harish
Click here to watch the stall reel on our Instagram page @knotsquare.in
Comments