Vintage Market Days® in CT: My First-Time Vendor Experience

A charming vintage market boothl displays a rustic wooden dresser adorned with framed art, small potted plants, and neatly arranged jars, creating an inviting scene at the "Perch & Parcel" booth.

Last weekend, I packed up my little corner of curated comforts and headed off to my very first vendor event—Vintage Market Days® in Harwinton, CT. I’d been preparing for weeks, carefully choosing each item, pricing tags just so, and making sure every basket, candle, and wall hanging told a story.

The Nerves (and the Excitement!)

The morning of the event, I felt like I was about to go on stage. My car was packed to the brim—think real-life game of Tetris—with vintage furniture, cozy home goods, and a few pieces I was sure would sell out in minutes. Spoiler alert: some of them came home with me, and that’s okay!

Walking into the venue and seeing so many talented vendors setting up was inspiring and, honestly, a little intimidating. Everyone had their own style, from rustic farmhouse to colorful boho, and the energy in the air was electric.

A Confidence Boost I Didn’t Expect

One of the most surprising (and heartwarming) parts of the weekend was the feedback I received. So many shoppers told me my booth was cute and cozy, that they loved the way my items worked together, and that the mix of candles, everyday sustainable goods, and carefully curated vintage finds felt special. One guest even said, “It’s a vibe”—and I think that’s the best compliment I could have gotten.

Those kind words did more than make me smile—they made me feel more confident than ever about my dream of opening a brick-and-mortar store.

Surprising Bestsellers & Small Joys

Some of the things I thought might just be “filler” ended up flying off the table. Every single spurtle sold (who knew?), European linens were a hit, and guests loved the little details—like the lip balm and “soap on a rope” from a small business in England. I also had candles from small makers who use their own beeswax and advocate for supporting the bee population. These thoughtful touches resonated with people and reminded me why I take the time to research and source with care.

What I Learned (The Hard Way)

• Pricing is an art. Some items sold right away, while others got plenty of compliments but no takers. A little flexibility goes a long way.

• Your booth is your handshake. The more inviting my setup looked, the more people stopped in to browse and chat.

• Talk to everyone. Conversations with shoppers (whether they bought something or not) made the whole experience richer.

• Comfort matters. By day two, I wished I’d packed extra cold drinks, a small fan, and maybe a hat—because it was so hot.

The Takeaway

Walking away from my first vendor event, I felt proud. I didn’t just sell items—I shared my vision for creating a cozy, meaningful home. I learned what works, what needs tweaking, and how much I truly love connecting with people through beautiful, thoughtfully chosen things.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. And next time, I’ll bring more snacks, more cold drinks, and be even more prepared.