Richmond Hill Spring Pop Up Market – A Lesson in Craft and Community
This past weekend, we set up at the Richmond Hill Spring Pop Up Market in Richmond Hill, Georgia, just off Belfast River Road (if you’re familiar with the area). The event was open to locals and anyone passing through, and it brought together a variety of vendors showcasing an “EcLectic” array of goods.
The Setup
For this event, we focused on presenting a range of pieces that reflect both craftsmanship and versatility.
Our display included:
Our Aztec-inspired sun stones
A side table with a wooden accent detail
A set of antique columns
A set of standard columns (two white and two ebony)
A conceptual coffee table (a walnut, ash, and concrete - not epoxy - river table)
Mini pergola planters
Keepsake boxes made from rosewood and curly maple
A sofa table
A slatted planter
The goal was to create a booth that felt more like a curated space than a simple product display—something that would give people a sense of how these pieces would live in a home.
The Reality of the Day
Despite the effort put into preparation (weeks of work leading up to the day of) and presentation, the turnout was very light. From what we observed—and from conversations with other vendors—this wasn’t unique to our booth. Most vendors struggled with traffic and sales throughout the day.
In fact, we didn’t sell any pieces at this event.
Interestingly, one vendor did particularly well selling 3D-printed items—largely because they appealed directly to kids. It was a good reminder that different products resonate with different audiences, especially in a family-oriented setting.
Feedback That Matters
While sales didn’t materialize, the feedback we received was consistent and encouraging.
People who stopped and took the time to really look at the work (mostly other vendors) commented on:
The quality of the craftsmanship
The uniqueness of the designs (especially the river table)
The overall high-end feel of the pieces
One moment that stood out was a conversation with another woodworking vendor. He was genuinely impressed with the work and asked questions about techniques. We ended up sharing some advice on finishing methods and general approach—something we were more than happy to do.
That kind of interaction reinforces something important:
Even when sales don’t happen, your work is still being evaluated, remembered, and respected.
Lessons Learned
Every event is data, and this one was no exception.
Here are a few takeaways of note going forward:
Check competing events
Attendance can be heavily impacted if multiple events are happening at the same time in the same area (which was the case this time).Know your audience
Events with a strong family presence may favor lower-cost, interactive, or novelty items.Be prepared for the environment
Wind was an issue for some vendors, though the way we used the sun stones actually helped stabilize the setup and weighed the tent down.
Also—bring gnat spray. That one speaks for itself.Presentation still matters
Even without sales, strong presentation led to meaningful conversations and positive impressions.
Final Thoughts
Not every show results in immediate sales—but that doesn’t mean it’s a loss.
This event reinforced that the work we’re producing is:
Visually compelling
Perceived as high quality
Well-crafted (in fact, there was a moment when the wind picked up and blew one of the sides of the tent into one of the smaller columns, knocking it over. A guy was walking by at the time and, as I was picking it up yelled, “oh no! Did it break??” It hadn’t. I responded, “Nope! It’s very well-built,” in an exaggerated “salesy” type of way. We both had a laugh.)
The next step is aligning that work with the right audience and the right venue.
That’s where the real opportunity lies.
If you attended the event and stopped by the booth, we appreciate you taking the time to look and engage.
And if you’re interested in seeing available pieces or discussing a custom project, you can explore more at:
