🚗 My First Booth Show: A Road Trip, a Meltdown and a Big Win

Hiya lovely human,

Back in June, I took part in the Great Northern Contemporary Craft and Art Fair in Newcastle, which was my first ever booth-style event. Until then, I’d only ever done one-day markets. So, this was a much bigger deal! Three days of selling, fully built stand, long-distance travel, and a whole lot more to think about.

Now that the dust has settled (and I’ve finally caught up on rest), I’ve had time to reflect on what the experience taught me. I learnt about capacity, confidence, and what it means to step outside your comfort zone when you’re neurodivergent.

✨ From Markets to Booth Shows: A Big Leap

Newcastle was a milestone for me in more ways than one. It was my first ever booth-style show (I’ve only done day markets before) and it was also the furthest I’ve ever travelled for an event, something I must admit I hadn’t thought too much about when I applied. But when I did check Google Maps for the first time after I was accepted, I remember letting out a little audible gasp as I discovered it was a 5-hour drive minimum. Due to my sparkly neurodivergent brain, driving can be quite challenging for me (especially new places), so my lovely husband took on the drive which I am so grateful for.

🛠️ Booth Building, Packing Chaos & Time Optimism

I would say that without a doubt my booth furniture was the biggest cause of stress on the trip. Before we’d even left, I’d already had a couple of little cries and had to utilise several breathing techniques to get through packing the car. Trying to load it all in took some serious Tetris skills and involved a lot of putting furniture in only to take it straight back out again as we tried and failed to put the next piece in.

When we finally arrived in Newcastle building it all took longer than anticipated (being ADHD I am notoriously time optimistic) and so we had to get up early the next day to try and get it all finalised ahead of opening. But thankfully it did all get done with a comforting half hour to spare to grab a coffee and get myself ready to greet the first visitors. But once the doors opened, the experience was… kind of magical.

💬 Connection is Everything

Over the course of the weekend, I had the chance to speak with so many kind, curious people - other makers, visitors, customers, and fellow neurodivergents who saw something of themselves in my work and story.

I felt genuinely touched by the conversations I had. There’s something so special about meeting people who truly see you and the energy behind what you create.

By the end of the weekend, I was absolutely knackered - it was full-on and customer-facing for three days straight. But I was also sad to leave. Having that time to build real connections with the other exhibitors was something special, and I’m really looking forward to seeing many of them again at the Manchester show in October.

Being Autistic I love being on my own, I love my own space and having time free from being perceived. But I spend so much time in my little studio bubble that I sometimes forget how big and vibrant the art world actually is. Or maybe I never felt properly connected to it before. But something shifted. I’m now excited to apply for more events further afield and feel like I can handle them.

🧠 On Capacity, Burnout, and Self-Belief

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I had to carefully manage my energy throughout the event - and yes, there was a meltdown. But here’s the difference: this time, I was prepared. I knew my limits, I made accommodations, and I gave myself permission to go at my own pace.

When you live with conditions that limit your capacity, they often start to limit your self-belief too. If you’ve ever experienced autistic or ADHD burnout cycles, you’ll know how much they can make you doubt whether you can handle things - and how easy it is to say no to opportunities out of fear.

I feel like I’m finally managing my symptoms better than I ever have. Being self-employed has given me the flexibility to create a life that actually works for me, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. That doesn’t mean the trip wasn’t hard or that I didn’t have a meltdown, but I was better prepared. I was realistic about my capacity, gave myself accommodations, and looked after myself properly.

I’m sharing this because I think it’s important to celebrate our wins - and be honest about what goes on behind the scenes of running a business with an AuDHD brain.

💡 A few lessons I’m taking with me

• Planning helps, but flexibility is key. I had a plan, but I also needed to be able to shift when things went sideways (which they did!).
• Don’t underestimate the emotional side of events. Connecting with people is beautiful… and exhausting. Give yourself time to recharge after.
• Streamline the setup! My booth furniture situation was a lot - packing it into the car and setting up took more time and energy than I’d like. Next time, I’ll be thinking smarter, not heavier.
• Community makes it all worth it. Being around other artists made me feel like I belong in this world. That feeling is gold.
• Self-belief is built through experience. Not by doing things perfectly - but by doing them at all.

This was a big turning point for me. And I’m already excited (and a bit nervous) for the next booth event: Great Northern Contemporary Craft and Art Fair Manchester, here I come!

Thanks so much for being here and reading along.

Love,
Maz x

P.S. Did I forget to mention my mug got chosen for one of the promotional posters? I still can't believe it!