A First for Me: Showing My Jewellery at Art in the Park

Kate sitting behind her Black Octopus Jewellery exhibition stand at Art In the Park 2025 — Ready for it…

This summer I was lucky enough to take part in an incredible Art festival in my home town of Leamington Spa. Having never attended an event with my jewellery before it was a straight in the deep end situation (check out their website for an idea of the size of the event). Looking back now I’m so glad I applied, accepted, planned and went for it, and didn’t let my doubts stop get in the way of success.

WHY I CHOSE THIS EVENT

Since I made a firm decision to start selling my jewellery I had this festival in my sights as something I wanted to attend. My business plan in general isn’t to do many events or markets because that just doesn’t fit well around my family life, but this one seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. As a true art fair rather than a market, I knew it was the kind of event I wanted to put everything into. The best thing about this huge community event is that it’s free and makes art accessible to everyone.

TAKING A CHANCE VS. FEAR OF REJECTION

Close up of Black Octopus Jewellery at Art in the Park 2025 — Knowing how popular Art In The Park has been in previous years and the great reputation it has, I had no idea how likely it was that I’d manage to secure a spot. At the time of applying I was only selling on Etsy and with no website wasn’t confident at all that I’d get a place. I almost didn’t submit the application, finding all of the reasons to wait until next year, but in the end I decided (rejection aside) I had nothing to lose.

PANIC BRAIN ENGAGED

When I got the email confirming my spot, I was thrilled for about 10 seconds, which immediately turned to deep dread as I thought about everything I’d need to do (I’m a massive worrier and over-thinker of everything). I knew I’d need to do this all whilst in the process of building a website and keeping up with orders which seemed to already be taking up more than the hours I have in a day.

The people that maDe Art In the Park happen (AWAY & AT HOME)

The incredible Art In The Park 2025 team were a fantastic support from the outset, with super informative communications and a welcome evening for newbies to point us in the right direction. I was super impressed with how well organised the whole thing seemed to be. As I sat at the welcome talk with the other artists, I felt a mixture of intense pride to be considered an equal amongst them, whilst also having the deepest sense of imposter syndrome I’ve probably ever felt!

The weeks that followed were wildly busy, building the exhibition stand (in the perfect shade of black), trying to finish my website and of course making as much jewellery as I possibly could. I’m definitely in awe of anyone who achieves the building of a stand for an affordable amount of money that doesn’t live with a carpenter (who is very supportive and happy to spend his evenings making and re-making what I needed, to my very exacting specifications).

Photo of AJC Building Services creating an exhibition stand for Art In the Park

THe art of hopeful preparation

Trying to quantify how much you might need for an event of this size scrambled my brain completely, and honestly I swung wildly between panicking I wouldn’t have enough and assuming I’d sell nothing at all on an hourly basis. I went with the approach as make as much as you can and hope for the best.

Community Spirit: Shoutout to the Warwickshire Gin Co!

The festival itself was a fantastic weekend. The weather was kind, the setup was smooth and (chest infection aside) it was an amazing experience all round. I met so many lovely people, saw lots of friendly faces and on top of it all sold a LOT more jewellery than I expected to. It was really busy from the second it opened until to moment it closed on both days, so much so that dashing to the loo and back was the only insight I got to the delights going on elsewhere. The other artists, makers and suppliers I met were all overwhelmingly lovely, special shoutout to THE WARWICKSHIRE GIN CO. who even hand delivered a much appreciated 11:30 gin to wash down the antibiotics with.

Photo of G&T's from the Warwickshire Gin Co — I failed to take a photo (another learning curve) but the gins were THIS GOOD

Although I didn’t get time to look around the festival, my kids had a wild time (enabled by both sets of willing Grandparents) and couldn’t wait to show me all of the art they’d made and things they’d seen. At the end of the last day I managed to join them for the end of ‘Hey Jude’ performed by the wonderful Love The Beatles tribute band.

LEARNING TO COPE (WHEN PEOPLE ARE NICE)

I’ve learned a lot from the experience and it’s definitely something I’d do again, but I also now have the deepest respect for any maker/artist/crafter who’s doing markets every weekend - I honestly don’t know if I’d have the stamina for that.