Last weekend, I did my first outdoor pop-up. And it really felt like stepping into something completely new.
December is a rainy month, and I knew that when I signed up — but CHIJMES was just too beautiful to pass up. The old church, the surrounding buildings, the way everything feels a little softer and more magical during Christmas. I didn’t even really get to see the Christmas lights properly until the last day, but somehow that felt fitting.
The weather kept changing its mind. The heat was intense, but it was always paired with dark clouds and light drizzles. I kept wondering what to wish for — sun or light rain. In the end, I was just thankful it never poured during the event.
Except for a short half hour during setup on the second day. I had laid out my tablecloth, and before I knew it, the bottom half was already wet from rain splattering everywhere because of the wind. Even though I arrived early, I couldn’t really start setting up. Everything felt exposed. I ended up pulling out the plastic covers I had prepared and carefully covering the few props I managed to put out. After that brief moment, the weather softened, and the rest of the day passed calmly.
Another thing I didn’t fully anticipate was how different the end of each day would feel. For indoor events, you pack lightly and leave the rest behind, trusting the locked venue. Outdoors, you have to think ahead — tearing down, packing up, and making sure everything is protected from rain and wind overnight. It’s slower, heavier, and requires a different kind of patience.
The crowd was quieter than some of the other markets I’ve been to, and there was something really lovely about that. Customers who don’t enjoy squeezing through big crowds could take their time, and I had space to talk, to listen, to share stories. The booth neighbours were warm and kind, and even though I couldn’t wander far or shop much, there was a strong sense of community around us.
One of the unexpected perks of an outdoor market was the steady appearance of adorable dogs passing by. Watching them trot through the space, pausing curiously at booths, added little moments of joy throughout the day — small reminders to smile, even during long hours. I’ve received many new breed requests, like Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Japanese Spitz, and I’ll be working on designing them for rings and pendants. I’ll also be looking into creating earrings for them, as requested by many of you.
In between, there were small joys. I tried tarot reading and had soju at a pop-up for the first time, thanks to @9tailsart and @tsutsumisquare. I met @justadailybag, a scientist who also crafts and draws beautifully (thank you for the frequent reassurance that the weather will be fine). I had fun, nerdy chats about jewelry making and supply shopping with @pasteltho.sg.
Thank you to @gatherry.co for putting this event together so thoughtfully. They were kind in all the small ways that matter. At the end, they gave us message cards for the day — and the one I picked somehow lined up perfectly with my tarot reading earlier. Little moments like that stay with me. Their lucky draw idea for customers also brought a bit of playfulness into the space.
And of course, thank you to everyone who stopped by. To familiar faces, to new ones, and especially to those who made the effort to come find me at this pop-up — it meant more than I can properly put into words.
As an extreme introvert, every pop-up is a challenge for me in a quieter, more personal way. Meeting new people and sharing more about my work takes more courage than it might seem. I don’t think I’ll ever become more extroverted — and that’s something I’ve learned to accept, in order to stay true to myself. But I’m trying, gently, to take small steps, and to share a little more each time.
So if you ever visit me at one of my pop-ups, please do say hi. I’m often hesitating, worried that I might interrupt your browsing. But hearing that you’re one of my supporters always means more to me than I can express, and I’m always deeply grateful for it. Thank you so much.
This was my last pop-up of the year. Now, it’s time for me to slow down a little, return to the workbench, and prepare for my first shop update of the new year. I’ll also be doing pop-ups before Lunar New Year, with new Daintynine pieces made to sit softly alongside your festive outfits. And… psst, keep an eye out for new colors of the Ethereal Stud Earrings!
Wishing you a warm and gentle Christmas.
From behind my craft bench,
Ruth