The unexpected side effects of doing markets

When I signed up for my first Gabriola Market back in 2015, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting into. Selling jewellery? Yep. Early mornings? Sure. Rain? Occasionally. Meeting people I’d still look forward to seeing twelve summers later?

Nope, didn’t see that one coming.

It’s funny the things you remember. I couldn’t tell you what was on my table back in 2015, but I can still picture so many of the people I’ve met along the way. It’s funny how they stay with you. One family, in particular, always makes me smile.

It all started innocently enough with a set of stacking rings. Then another family member wanted some, then another, and before I knew it I’d somehow met almost the whole family. Over the years they brought friends, and now, twelve summers later, seeing them stop by still makes me smile.

There’s the lovely couple from England who come to visit Gabriola on the May long weekend. They make a point of stopping by my table to say hello, and to me, it always feels like the start of a new market season.

And then there are the two sisters who’ve been stopping by ever since my jewellery days. They usually arrived as a matched set, although these days it’s often one or the other. Either way, I know there’s a good chance one of them is about to keep me on my toes.

And then there’s the 10 o’clock rush. The bell rings and the race begins. They’re off in search of the fresh bread, the bialys, the cinnamon buns, and course the produce. I catch a smile or a wave as people  hurry past. Even those little moments add up and become part of the story too.

There are so many more stories. Some people I’ve only met once. Others seem to turn up every summer as though we’ve all quietly agreed on the meeting place.

Apparently, setting up a table full of jewellery or art every weekend is a surprisingly good way to meet people. Some stay for conversations, some stop by every summer, and some simply wave as they hurry past. Somehow, they all become part of the story.

If we’ve ever crossed paths at the market, thank you for being part of mine. And if you have a favourite market memory of your own you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it.