February is an exciting month for Bella Adornia! With three upcoming vendor markets, I'm gearing up for some busy (but rewarding) weekends. There's nothing quite like setting up my booth, meeting customers in person, seeing their reactions to my designs, answering questions and connecting with my community face-to-face.

This month, you can find me at these venues throughout the Southbay:

• Saturday, February 15 - The Coffee Shack, Campbell, CA
  This is my new fave venue!  They have a market monthly on the 3rd Saturday
  
  
• Saturday, February 22 - Drake's Dealership, Oakland, CA
  This is my first time there, it's part of SF Beer Week events, pretty excited!
  
  
• Sunday, February 23  - Ludwig's Biergarten, Mountain View, CA
  This is my first time there, they also have a market monthly on the 4th Sunday

If you love discovering unique, handcrafted jewelry,  supporting small businesses, chatting with local makers, or just treating yourself to something special, these markets are the perfect place to do it.

Market Day - The Prep Work: More Than Just Packing Pretty Things

Behind every successful market day is a whole lot of preparation. From updating inventory to packing up my display, there are countless details to check off before I even arrive at my booth. Here's a look at how I prepare:

Market Inventory Check & Restocking

Before any market, I do a full inventory check to see what's selling well and what needs to be replenished. Since every piece of Bella Adornia jewelry is handmade, I spend time creating new designs, making sure I have a variety of styles and colors available.

• Pricing & Labeling
  Price tags are a small but crucial detail! I double-check that all items are clearly labeled so customers can easily see pricing. No one wants to play the guessing game when shopping.
  
  
• Packaging & Gift Boxes
  With Valentine's Day just behind us and plenty of birthdays and celebrations coming up, I always prepare my gift packaging. I stock up on gift boxes, print labels with my logo and add them to the boxes, print care instructions and get bows ready to seal it al up so it looks nice and complete for purchases.
  
  
• Marketing Materials
  I want new customers to remember Bella Adornia long after they leave my booth. That means having:
  • Business cards with my website and social media
  • Flyers or postcards with a special discount code
  • Earring cards with logo
  • Handmade Jewelry care instructions
  • Labels with my logo to be added to jewelry boxes
  • A sign-up sheet for my email list (hello, 20% off)

Market Booth Display & Setup

Presentation matters! I setup my tent, hang banner, layout my table displays, making sure my products are  is eye-catching, inviting, and easy to shop. My checklist includes:

• Tablecloths and risers for height variation
• Banner that hangs from the booth with my logo and branding
• Jewelry stands and trays for an organized display
• Mirrors for customers to try on pieces
• Decorative touches to create a warm, stylish vibe
• Bella, my mannequin that I use to display some of my newest designs
• Weights on the booth to keep it from flying off in the wind!
• Setting up my Shopify POS on my iPad
• Toolkit with office supplies and tools for easy repairs

Packing Everything Up for Market

Packing is an art form in itself! I organize everything into bins and bags so that setup is smooth and stress-free. Essentials include:

• All the items mentioned above
• Extra lighting if the venue is dim
• Small generator to power lights, phones and POS
• Snacks and water because markets are long days!
  

The Market Day Hustle

Once I arrive, it's time for setup, unpacking, arranging my display, and making sure everything looks just right. I usually have an hour or so to get everything in place.  It's a lot of work, but the energy of market day makes it all worth it. The best part? Meeting new customers, chatting about my jewelry, and watching someone's face light up when they find the perfect piece.

Tear-down at the end of the day is another big job, but I always leave feeling grateful. These events remind me why I love what I do, connecting with people, sharing my craft, and seeing my designs go home with happy customers.

If you're in the California Southbay this month, come say hi! I'd love to meet you, show you my latest designs, and help you find something beautiful to take home.