This week brought a little milestone I’ve been quietly hoping for…
Petersham Cottage Candles had its very first craft fair at Bloxworth.

To think that those same candles are now waiting to be picked up, turned over and taken home by someone who may never have heard of us before… it’s a really great feeling.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. In the days leading up to it, I was checking and double-checking lists, packing boxes, wondering if I’d forgotten something important, and trying to picture what the stall would look like once everything was set out.

When I arrived, I did what I think a lot of first-timers do… I secretly watched the other stall holders set up first, just to see how they did things and to make sure it didn’t look too obvious that this was my first fair. There was a little voice in my head saying, “Don’t give yourself away, just blend in and figure it out as you go.”

Of course, that didn’t last long. As I started to chat with the people around me, I mentioned that it was actually my first ever craft fair and they were so supportive. There were kind words, tips, reassurance, and a real sense of “we’ve all been there.” It made the whole morning feel much less daunting and a lot more like being part of a little community.

Once I began setting up properly, the nerves slowly shifted into something else: excitement. Watching the display come together, jars lined up, linen bags propped just so, little touches added to make it feel like a tiny piece of our cottage, it was a really special moment.

My First Craft Fair Stall

To give you a little glimpse

And then the best thing happened……..

Someone stopped, picked up a candle, have a whiff… and decided to buy it.

That first ‘in person’ sale felt huge. Online orders are wonderful (and I’m grateful for every single one), but there’s something very different about watching someone discover your candles in real time, seeing them lean in to smell the fragrance, ask questions, and tell you who it’s for or where it’s going in their home.

Throughout the day, there were lovely chats with people passing by, kind comments about the scents and the display, and that gentle hum of a busy room filled with makers, stallholders and curious visitors. For a first craft fair, Bloxworth was exactly the warm, welcoming experience I’d hoped it might be, even though I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first signed up.

After a great day and packing everything back up, I headed home to the cottage happy and with a head full of ideas for little tweaks and improvements for next time. There will be a next time!
This first fair has definitely made me want to do more markets and events in the future, to keep meeting people, sharing the story behind the candles, and bringing a little cottage cosiness to new places.

If you were at Bloxworth and stopped by the stall, whether you bought a candle, had a sniff, or just shared a few kind words, thank you. It meant more than you know.

With warmth,
Gareth
Petersham Cottage Candles