My First Car Boot Sale Experience

When I first started my maternity leave, I had a little goal in mind - I really wanted to take part in at least one handmade market before going back to work.

I imagined having a small stall, displaying my crochet pieces, and seeing people interact with something I had made by hand.

But as the weeks went by, it didn’t quite happen.

Between time, preparation, and the extra costs that come with proper craft markets, it just never felt like the right moment. And suddenly, I found myself only two weeks away from going back to work, still holding onto that wish of putting my work out there.

So I decided to try something different.

A car boot sale felt like a gentle first step - affordable to enter, low pressure, and flexible. I didn’t need to create a huge amount of stock or meet any expectations. I could simply take what I had already made and see what it felt like to set everything up.

And honestly, that part alone made it worth it.

Seeing my pieces all displayed together for the first time felt like such a milestone. I had enough to create a full little stall, and I felt really proud of that.

When I arrived, though, I quickly realised the environment was very different from what I had imagined.

Most people were browsing for tools, second-hand items, or general bargains - the kind of things you’d expect at a traditional car boot sale. A lot of stalls looked like they had simply emptied out garages or sheds, with all sorts of random items spread across the grass.

In the middle of that, my little crochet stall stood out in a completely different way.

And something really interesting happened.

The people who were my audience found me.

Children would stop and look, pick things up, and smile. Younger girls were especially drawn to the plushies, and some mums stopped to look at keyrings and smaller pieces. Those moments felt really special - because they showed me that it’s not about whether my work is “good enough,” but about being in the right place for the right people.

I did make sales, which I’m really grateful for. I covered my petrol, the vendor fee, and even came home with a small profit (which will probably go straight back into more yarn!).

For a first experience, that feels like a win.

🌿 What I’m taking away from this

• Interacting with people who genuinely liked my work was the most rewarding part of the day

• Hearing comments like “did you make these?” and “these are so beautiful” meant more than I expected

• Watching children browse the table with curiosity and excitement reminded me exactly who my work is for

• I learned that even the pieces I feel unsure about can become someone else’s favourite

There were two moments in particular that I’ll remember for a long time.

One was a young girl, maybe around 11, who came with her mum. She pointed at a little purple dragon I had placed on the lower shelf - one I had quietly considered one of my “less perfect” makes. She said she really liked it, and after asking the price, her mum said they’d have to ask dad for the money.

They left, and I assumed that was it.

But a few hours later, she came back - this time with her older brother - holding a small handful of coins. She looked at me and said, “could I please have the purple dragon?”

It was such a sweet moment. I packed it into one of my bags, and she walked away so happy with it. That moment stayed with me all day.

Another time, a girl came up on her own and started chatting to me. She had recently started crocheting herself and told me she’d been making toys for her dog. She picked up a small dolphin - another piece I hadn’t thought much of - and asked if she could have it.

I told her it was £5, or 3 for £10, and she looked a little sad and said she only had £4.

So I told her she could have it for £4.

She emptied out the coins from her pockets, and left with the biggest smile, holding onto her dolphin.

Moments like that reminded me of something really important:

The pieces I see as imperfect might be exactly what someone else falls in love with.

🌼 What I learned

It’s not the product - it’s the audience.

This experience helped me realise that my work would likely thrive more in spaces where families, children, and people who appreciate handmade items are naturally present. Places where people come to browse slowly, enjoy the atmosphere, and look for something special - like summer fairs.

Even though it wasn’t what I originally imagined, I’m really glad I did it.

It gave me clarity, confidence, and a starting point.

And most of all, it reminded me that this is just the beginning