We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Camryn Carpenter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Camryn below.

Alright, Camryn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

My biggest challenge currently is art market fees. The overhead costs of renting a space, marketing, and application processing take a lot of time and money from the organizers and the market fees fund that. There are some markets I have paid $100-200 to attend where the profit margin is slim to none. Of course there are people buying your products and spreading your business name is always a perk, but not everyone has money to attend the markets in the first place and if they do it’s always a gamble. Finding the right audience for your products isn’t always guaranteed even with a larger more expensive market.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I originally started making jewelry to match the themes of my preschool classrooms lesson plan. I made bug earrings for bug week, strawberry earrings for fruit week, etc. It was in summer of 2021 when I discovered my passion for jewelry making. I started beading some necklaces, and making simple charmed earrings. From then I posted on my personal social media about selling them and made me first couple of sales!

I spent about a month creating and then in September of 2021 I did my very first stand at a farmers market. It was incredible. I think I made about $40 in the four hours I was there but I loved it. I began making more products like wire wrapped rings, beaded earrings, and charm necklaces. I have done markets up and down the Puget Sound and it is so rewarding. I especially love pride events where I get to share my art with my community.

I love making fun, colorful, loud pieces that spark interest and conversation. I believe the world needs more color and unique expression in it!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being myself and being authentic to what I love has been vital to building my brand and aesthetic. People remember me because I have always stayed consistent in my style and personality. I am at every single market running my stand myself and knowledgable about everything on my table. Knowing my work and truly being passionate about it makes me memorable.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There have been several times I haven’t made back the fee I paid to vend at an event, but I really try to not get discouraged. I know that not every event is my audience and even just showing up gets my name and products out there. I have had days where I ended up being negative in money, time, and moral and kept on going. I always remind myself I am doing this because I love to make art and share it. If a market doesn’t go well it doesn’t mean the next few won’t either.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: camryncreates
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Avery Cyan Photography