Dandelion+Burdock

Recently, Dandelion+Burdock founder Suzanne Lynch sat down for a very official, not-at-all-serious interview with Marigold McQuestions (that’s me). Over a cup of coffee and a pile of half-finished labels, we talked about the highs, lows, and hair-snagging realities of life as a craft show vendor.

Q1. What drew you to selling at craft shows and farmers markets in the first place?

Not only was I launching a new e-commerce business, but I had also just moved to a new area where I didn’t know a soul. Craft shows felt like the perfect way to meet people, gain local customers, and get instant feedback on my products.

I’ve always had this dream of having my own booth alongside other artisans — it was one of the reasons I quit my corporate job and started over as a homesteader and entrepreneur. Plus, I definitely like being in control of everything (ha!). Of course, as you’ll soon find out, plenty of things happen that are very much out of my control.

Q2. How does festival season (September through December) look for your business?

My product lines are somewhat seasonal. I change blends to reflect the weather, activities, and mood of the season. For example, my natural bug spray only sells from April through early fall, and by September I’m shifting focus to aromatherapy soy candles and wellness products.

In summer and early fall, people mostly shop for themselves, so lower-priced individual items do well. Later in November and December, those same items become bundled into gift sets — perfect for holiday markets.

Summer farmers markets are laid-back and enjoyable, but in my area the foot traffic is low. This year I decided to skip them and focus on fall festivals instead. Choosing the right events is always an educated guess: Will they attract my target audience? Are they professional and well-organized? Is the booth fee reasonable? And if it’s a juried show — will I even get in?

Q3. Can you walk us through a typical show day — from loading the car to setting up your booth?

If I can set up the day before, I’m thrilled — mostly because I always forget something, and an early setup gives me a buffer. A relaxed setup takes about two hours, but if I’m running late or it’s a smaller event, I can get it done in about an hour.

Getting the tent up by yourself is… not glamorous. Picture me disappearing into the center of the canopy to push it up from the inside, then crawling out with my hair inevitably caught on something. Not exactly Instagram-worthy, but it gets done.

My booth display is always evolving, but two folding tables — a six-foot and a four-foot — form the base. Everything has to fit in the back of my SUV and be light enough for me to haul solo. To this day, I still haven’t bought one of those collapsible carts. Once, when I knew I’d have to haul everything across a college quad, I brought my rusty garden gorilla cart. It wasn’t elegant, but it handled the curbs like a champ.

Q4. What did you learn in your first season of markets (3 farmers markets + 5 craft shows) that shaped how you approach this year?

It takes time to figure out which events are the right fit for your business. I’m still fine-tuning my list. If a credible show flops because of bad weather, I’ll usually give it another chance the following year.

What I have learned: avoid events with no social media presence or community connection. Low turnout is almost guaranteed. It’s frustrating to pay a booth fee only to find that the organizers did very little marketing — and then expect the vendors to pick up the slack. I’ll happily promote a show I’m part of, but the fee should cover actual event promotion.

Q5. What kinds of products do people seem most drawn to at shows, and has that surprised you?

At one large, juried show, I was shocked to see a line out the door for a booth selling plastic bins with funny memes slapped on them — while neighboring artisan booths sat empty. Organizers shouldn’t bill an event as an “art and craft show” if they’re going to let in resellers of mass-produced junk. It cheapens the experience for both makers and shoppers.

Q6. How do you prepare your inventory for a busy season when weekends are booked back-to-back?

Still figuring that one out! Most nights before a show, you’ll find me staying up late labeling products. This year I’m trying to project inventory a month ahead so I’m not constantly scrambling.

For me, it’s a balancing act: too much inventory means wasted effort, too little means missed sales. Since I’m a small-batch maker, freshness matters — rotating products frequently ensures everything is at its peak when it leaves my hands.

Q7. What’s the biggest challenge of being a vendor at craft shows?

The sheer exhaustion. After two ten-hour days, plus driving, setup, and teardown, I need at least one “weekend” day to recover. And of course, nothing feels worse than not even making back your booth fee. That can be soul-crushing.

Q8. On the flip side, what’s the most rewarding part of meeting customers in person?

I love meeting people, so chatting and greeting is natural for me. But I’m also constantly observing: Did my subtle pitch land? Did I come across too strong? There’s an ongoing debate among vendors — stand up or sit down, give a full pitch or just say hello? I’ve decided authenticity is the way to go. I dance to the music, chat with other vendors, and try to make each customer feel valued.

The most rewarding part, though, is seeing what customers actually buy and why. At the end of the day, it’s all about the product.

Q9. Do you have any tips for someone thinking about doing their very first craft fair or farmers market?

All you really need is a product and a table — the rest will come. If you can smile, say hello to strangers, and tell them who you are, you’re already halfway there.

If you’ve always dreamed of having your own little shop — even if it’s just a 10×10 tent — go for it. The more independent makers we support, the less we have to rely on big box stores. And let’s be honest: they’re not exactly thrilled when you shop small anyway.

Q10. How do you balance the in-person craft show schedule with running your online shop?

Ha! Like most small businesses, I’m still figuring that out. Online is a must-have, but building consistent traffic takes time. I believe the first goal is to build your “tribe” — a committed customer base who will follow and support you both online and in person.

Q11. What role does community (other vendors, returning customers, organizers) play in your experience?

Since joining local markets and shows, I’ve met incredible businesswomen who have become friends, shared valuable advice, and even invited me to consign in their shops. That sense of support is priceless.

My returning customers — my growing “tribe” — are just as important. Their kind words and repeat purchases keep me motivated and remind me why I started.

Q12. Any memorable moments or stories from past shows that stand out?

Thankfully, things have gone fairly smoothly so far. Every show has its highs and lows, but I’ve learned that staying positive and radiating good energy makes a huge difference.

I remember one particularly awful show early on where I didn’t make a single sale for hours. I got so frustrated I was silently cussing out everyone who walked past. Later I realized my energy was terrible — no wonder nobody wanted to stop by! Lesson learned: attitude is contagious.

Q13. Looking ahead, how do you see craft shows fitting into your business long-term?

To be honest, I hope to shift more toward retail locations and online sales in the future. Craft shows are a lot of work, and I’m not exactly a spring chicken anymore.

That said, I’m grateful I’ve been able to live out this dream of being a vendor. Now my dreams are growing — and I can’t wait to see where they take me. 😊

That wraps up my chat with Marigold McQuestions — thanks for humoring us both. Craft shows may be equal parts joy, exhaustion, and the occasional rusty garden cart, but they’re also where Dandelion+Burdock truly comes alive. If you spot my booth this season, stop by and say hello — I promise I’ll be smiling, even if my hair is stuck in the tent again.

September Events