The Diary of a Fringe Survivor: 28 Days at the west end fair
This August I spent four weeks working at the West End Fair in Edinburgh, located right in the middle of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I’d deliberately kept the first half of the year fairly quiet so this could be my big event of the year, and the lead-up was nothing short of chaotic. From ordering stock and planning displays to cramming the car full and mentally preparing myself for 28 straight days of market life — from the moment I got back from Paris it was all go.
Because it was such a long event, I decided to keep little diary notes throughout. Some days were exciting, some were stressful, and others were just plain boring but I thought I’d share a few of them here so you can get a real behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run a stall for a whole month.
DAY 0 - SET UP DAY
Today was the big day and I travelled down to Edinburgh to finally get set up for the west end fair. This day has felt like a long time coming as everything for the past couple months has been leading up to it.
I got back from Paris on Tuesday and have basically not stopped working since, between trying to send restocks to shops and put together enough stock for 4 weeks worth of selling, I also had to fit my car in to get the fog lights repaired and then have it taken for its MOT. So very busy which maybe wasn’t the best plan given that the next four weeks are also going to be nonstop busy.
My parents helped me with setting up which was much appreciated. That wasn’t originally the plan, they were only supposed to help with putting the prints up then go but somehow they ended up staying for the full thing 😅 but because of that, after we left the fair, we went to Søstrene Grene and I found this blue wire box that I thought would be perfect for helping display the stickers. I thought it would be cool to basically dump a bunch of each sticker in there and encourage people to have a rummage around. I’ll be curious to see how well it goes down!
DAY 3 (16:18) - Midweek Check In
So it’s day 3 and, yes, I completely failed to write anything for the first two days (my bad). I think it just took me a little while to settle into the new routine, but I’m starting to feel more relaxed now and the mornings don’t feel like such a rush anymore. I’m so glad that we only start at 11 as it means I don’t have to be up super early which is usually the case for markets. And since I’m not a morning person, I find market days very long and quite hard when I have to be up at 6am each day.
My spot at the West End Fair is nice, though. There’s seating just outside the tent, and I’m currently sitting there with a clear view of my stall. I’m not a fan of sitting at my stall. I don’t like sitting there when people are looking at my stand as I don’t like them feeling like I’m just staring them down while they’re browsing. That does mean I do a lot of getting up and down but I prefer it to feeling awkward while people try and shop.
Today was another fairly quiet day, but sales felt steadier. The main difference was that I sold more higher-priced items compared to yesterday. Yesterday was a lot of people grabbing just one sticker or postcard, but today the mystery bags and lucky dips are much more popular. Funny how quickly people’s interests can shift from day to day.
Best sellers so far overall though have definitely been the stickers. I’ve always had the 5 for £5 offer, but no one really used it before. Now however, people are tending to opt for buying five once they see the offer sign. Postcards as well are proving popular but I’m really pleased that the dog stuff is going down well. I only have stickers and postcards right now but they’re selling well, especially corgi! Will be interesting to see how the pins and keyrings do when they arrive. A bit sad that won’t be for another couple of weeks but there’s not much I can do about that.
Personally, I’m also feeling much better than yesterday, where I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. I don’t think working flat out on the lead up to this event helped as it may only be day 3 but I’ve been working non stop for over a week now and I still have 25 days to go. I have decided though to properly embrace the “it is what it is” mentality you really need for markets. I’ve stopped tracking my takings throughout the day. It only makes me more stressed, and it’s not like it changes how many customers turn up. And I feel a lot better for it too. The weather is continuing to provide for us though with it being sunny and 20° all day so really can’t complain that much.
Oh also I decided to decorate my market bag with my pins after a customer stopped at my stall with the exact same bag except hers was covered with loads of pins! So now my bag also looks beautiful with lots of my pins on it 💖 can’t wait for my dog pins to arrive so I can add them to it as well.
DAY 5 (21:45) - Depressing Maths
So, I just did some depressing maths. Today was another quiet one — busier in the morning, but sadly that didn’t quite translate into sales. I did spend a lot more time chatting to people though, which was draining but also quite nice. I’ll be the first to admit that “selling” is probably my weakest point as a business owner. I hate the feeling of being so transparent, like I’m trying to convince someone to buy my work. I’d much rather they chose to buy because they genuinely wanted to and not because they felt pressured by me. I know I probably lose sales because of that, and it really stresses me out on days like this, my third “meh” day out of five. Not awful, but definitely not great.
I just sat and looked at my report of what sold. I only took the card sales, not even the cash sales, and worked out how much each product cost to make and then multiplied it by the amount sold. Then took all my takings and deducted all my expenses so far, the cost to make the items and also if I were to pay myself minimum wage for 7 hours a day. In the end it came to a negative. Not by much but still a negative.
It can be hard not to be disheartened by these things. I know markets are useful for other things like networking, marketing, visibility, but it can be so hard not to second guess myself at every turn. Even once I’ve had a really good day, if the next day is bad I still find myself wondering ‘would I have done better if I stood at my stand more or should I have stood away from it more? Should I have tried harder to get every customer into a conversation or did me trying to talk to them just scare them away?’ I’m really trying not to spiral into that trap, because if I keep second-guessing every decision, I’ll drive myself mad.
I did this evening however go to an open studio night at Coburg Street in Leith after the market. It was four floors with over 70 creators in it. It was very busy and there were free drinks! It definitely wasn’t the best idea to have a gin and tonic when I hadn’t eaten for 7 hours but it did taste very good! 😂 I think my favourite artist was David Schofield, a surrealism artist who actually grew up in Nairn! I had a really good conversation with him and I really liked his work, I was just sad he didn’t have any postcards of his art as I would’ve loved to buy one to add to my wall.
Also, yesterday a family from America stopped by and bought some items, and in return, they gave me one of their stickers! They mentioned they had their own business back in Florida and wanted me to have one of their products, so I’m absolutely delighted with my new sticker. It’s a good reminder that it’s not always doom and gloom, even when things might seem that way 🥲.
DAY 9 (10:58) - Storm Floris
So, Scotland has been hit by a rare summer storm, called Storm Floris, which forced the market to close yesterday (Monday). While in Edinburgh I’m staying with friends who live five stories up, and yesterday the wind was absolutely insane. I even went out onto the balcony at one point and nearly got blown off, so I was definitely relieved to just stay inside. It felt like such a strange storm though, because most of the day it was actually sunny with blue sky 😂.
The storm however has continued into today. Normally the market would be just about to open by now, but unfortunately it had to close again because the forecasts were still over 30mph. It does suck to lose money two days in a row, but honestly, I probably really needed the break. With such an intense lead-up and then jumping straight into 28 days of market life, I was already so exhausted by the end of Sunday — and there was still three weeks to go! Being able to sleep yesterday felt like a bit of a lifesaver. I literally did nothing at all — me and the couch became one 😂. That’s why having today off is also quite nice as it gives me a chance to properly get ready for the next two and a half weeks.
I’m also planning to post a new blog post today, which I’m weirdly nervous about. I’ve gained quite a few new followers since the market started, and this is a much more personal post — plus it’s the start of a new series. But the whole point of the blog is to get more comfortable sharing about myself, so I guess it’s an important step.
I told myself I had until the end of my coffee before I actually needed to wash my hair… so I guess my excuses to sit here are officially up.
12:16
I decided to make use of all the leftover wind from the storm so stood on the balcony to give my hair a free blow dry. Usually takes at least 6 hours for my hair to dry naturally. 30 mins later and I have some beautiful dry curls 😎
DAY 15 (15:33) - First Proper Fringe Weekend
So somehow I blinked and suddenly it has almost been a week since my last entry. But I’ve now officially moved from the boardwalk to the Westbank Marquee!
I’ll be honest I very much miss my old space. Although I got the space I requested, the one I had last year, it’s actually a very isolated spot. I can’t walk away and talk to people without losing sight of my stall. Unlike when I was on the boardwalk and it felt like being in a little cocoon with 5 other people. It didn’t matter who I spoke to, I could still see my stand too. I also miss some of my neighbours because I got on so well with them. But now I have new neighbours so I guess more friends to make! 😂
I managed to see some Fringe shows over the weekend too. The highlight was definitely Sophie’s Surprise 29th Birthday Party, which was beyond incredible. It’s a circus show disguised as a surprise birthday party and was so different and fun, and the soundtrack was amazing. By far the best Fringe show I’ve ever been to. I also saw some comedians, including Comedy in the Dark, which was literally comedy in the dark, with a lineup that changed each night. I liked the concept, though it felt a bit expensive for what was essentially just advertising for their other shows.
Also over the weekend, I stumbled across these insane flower pots and vases shaped like cartons and noodle boxes — and I want them alllll 😍. I also got to try some amazing food, like smoked salmon pancakes from Bonnie & Wilde and Mexican mac and cheese from a van at George Square.
My mom also came down over the weekend to work the mornings for me which was very sweet and much needed. By the time she appeared on the Friday afternoon I was really losing the will to live. So the lie ins over the weekend were very much appreciated.
Overall though I am really enjoying the experience. It’s tiring, and at times I feel like I’m going a bit mad with how repetitive it can feel — literally like Groundhog Day every day 😂 but I’ve spoken to so many lovely people and met lots of new friends and we’re only half way through.
Stickers are definitely the most popular items though and then the pins and postcards. People keep asking for the Skeleton pets design which was meant to be limited edition but it’s been so popular I am debating bringing it back 🤔 I actually really want to do a full Halloween range. One because it would be fun but also I think it would do well and open a new range of shops for the products to be in.
Speaking of shops, I was contacted by a company running a pop-up shop in St James Quarter over Christmas and they asked me to take part. It’s an exciting opportunity, though the commission is very high. Still, it’s a good marketing opportunity if nothing else.
It’s exciting to be back in the swing of things and being approached for new opportunities again. It makes the job so exciting. I don’t want to give much away but i was also approached by someone offering commission work for something I’ve never done before and I’d love to do it so here’s hoping it goes through in the end.
Halfway through though so still loads of time to meet more people and see more shows!
DAY 19 (16:22) - Parents Help
I am now five days into my new space in the Westbank Marquee and honestly I’ve not really noticed a difference in sales. It’s been a quiet week overall, most sellers think that the Oasis concert hurt us and I would agree with that. Today is Friday though and it’s definitely been busier so hopefully the weekend continues like that.
I came up with the idea today of collecting the business cards from the stands of all the friends I’ve made while at this fair. That is honestly the best part of doing these events. You get to chat with other makers, make friends, and then when you show up at another event and see them again, it’s so exciting! So I’ve made a collage of all the friends I’ve made, not just this year but from last year too. I really enjoy seeing everyone’s business cards and how they end up being an extension of who they are.
In other news, it’s been an exciting week to be a Swiftie. My dad so kindly came down and opened for me yesterday morning and thank god he did since I was up until 3am the night before watching the New Heights podcast with Taylor Swift as a special guest on it. So I was pleased I didn’t have to get up early to be at the market. It wasn’t planned that way, Thursday was the only day my dad could do, but it worked out super well in the end 😊
And thankfully he said he had fun too. Neither of my parents have ever helped me at a market before. They’ve been there when I was there but I’ve never actually left them in charge. It really did mean a lot though that they’d want to travel all the way from Inverness just to give me a couple of mornings off. I think they were concerned about what working 28 days in a row would do to me and now, 19 days in, I am concerned too 😂 so the lie ins definitely helped!
I’ve started to sell out of some postcards. Surprisingly it’s actually my original designs that are the ones selling out. I’ve literally had some of these for over 2 years now and they’ve barely been touched and now suddenly people are starting to go for them. It does make me happy though when people go for the original nine because they were where this all began and for that they are special to me 🧡
DAY 24 (13:04) - Running Out of Steam
I feel like I somehow blinked again and suddenly we’re on the countdown to the end of the market. And I think for the first time I can feel myself really running out of steam. Talking to people has just become second nature by this point and I do it now without even thinking about it. That’s definitely the one thing this market has got me better at. I used to find it so awkward trying to talk to people because I didn’t know what to say but I think I might have spoken more in the last 4 weeks than I have in like the previous 4 months combined 😂 and now I have no issues with approaching people looking, even if they ignore me and walk off after 😅
I’ve started collecting more and more art from people here as well and it’s getting dangerous. SY (Silver Studio) and I did another swap, this time two of my pins for two of her A5 prints which I’m delighted with. We also swapped stickers earlier in the week along with Amy (Alistondesigns) who I got this pretty seascape sticker from too. I’m also currently eying up Tessa (Tecaridesigns) and Dales (Dalebarnesillustrations) work to join my bedroom wall collection and I don’t think I’ll make it to the end of the week without buying something of theirs 😂. (Edit from future me: I didn’t!)
Today has been so slow though, my slowest morning by far. And it’s ironic because yesterday ended up being a weirdly good day sales wise even if it didn’t feel that busy. We’re two hours in though and I can’t be on more than £40. Things can change so suddenly though that I don’t even get stressed about it anymore. You never know who will show up at what point and when you’re here for 4 weeks, you just stop caring at some point. Or at least I have.
It’s also so so cold now. I had to go to primark on my way up to get some thermal leggings because I did not anticipate autumn starting early 🫠
Post Market Reflections
It’s now been just over a week since the West End Fair ended, and as I’ve been putting this blog together, it’s been fascinating to reflect back on how I felt during the event, especially those first few entries like Day 5 when I was really feeling the strain and felt so down about it all. Overall, the whole experience really changed my perspective on markets. I’ve never really enjoyed them, they can be stressful for not much reward, but being in the same market for four weeks really let me get to know other makers and customers and make some genuinely good friends.
I didn’t mention it in my diary entries, but when I came in after the storm, one of the new makers diagonally across from me ended up being Dommie (The Unravelling), who I’d actually seen at the open house event at Coburg Street a few days earlier. We hadn’t chatted at the event since she was busy at the time, but I recognised her and her products and ended up having such great chats with her through the week. By the end, I felt like I’d really made a good friend and then the same thing happened when I moved to the Westbank Marquee and met SY and Anusha (Anusha Pala) (who makes the best lunches, I was honestly blessed 🙏🏻). By the time we packed up, I truly felt I’d made proper friends who I’ll definitely see again when I’m passing through Edinburgh.
I also had some other lovely repeat visitors. A customer from Copenhagen, who had come by last year and bought a Nessie print, returned this year with his partner. I was in the exact same spot, so it felt like some weird bit of déjà vu for both of us but was great to see him again and hear how he’d put the print up in his apartment. Big shout out to Maddy and Kathy too, who came by multiple times and showed me what they’d done with the products they’d bought — I love seeing what becomes of the items people buy and it’s very special to see it up on peoples walls or placed on their laptops, phones, etc.. I’ve even been contacted by some people wanting to show me their dogs and how the new dog collection felt so fitting for their pet!
Being at the market also gave me loads of ideas for future collections based on what sold well. I was surprised by just how popular the stickers were — in the end, I sold almost 1,000! Postcards were popular too, which maybe says something about the state of the economy right now; lower-priced items seemed to do better as everyone is feeling the strain. It made me really glad I’d invested in these more affordable options. Some people have said I’d make more money if I only offered higher-priced items, but I really wanted my art to be as accessible as possible. If someone only has enough money for one sticker but loves the art, I’m thrilled they could at least take a little piece of my art home — and I’m always so grateful that people want to do that in the first place!
I also noticed more confidence in myself and in my belief in my products. Even on slower days towards the end, it didn’t make me second-guess everything I’d built. I found speaking to people much easier, and I even attempted speaking French at one point which I was super proud of myself for! (For context, I’ve been learning French for nearly a year but always too scared to try speaking in the wild to native speakers 😅.)
But overall, I really loved the whole experience. It was great getting to spend time with my friends I was staying with and go see shows with them. On top of that, other friends came to stay throughout the month, so I got to see a lot of old faces too — August was probably the most social month of my life! I always loved Edinburgh in summer, so walking the streets again felt so familiar, and I was just grateful to finally enjoy the Fringe properly for the first time ever. My body however is still trying to recover from the massive hike in caffeine I lived on to get through the four weeks — it’s actually taken nine days for my left eye to stop twitching from caffeine withdrawals! 😂
In the end, I was sad to say goodbye, but I’m excited to do it all again next year. 💖