A Summer at the Edinburgh Fringe: Jewellery, Makers, Markets & Lots of Talking

Some summers feel like they last forever — and then some summers fly by in a colourful blur of jewellery, conversations, new faces, old friends, busy market days and, occasionally, a very quiet afternoon wondering where everybody has gone!

This summer, I spent a whole month at the craft fair during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and what a month it was.

For me, the Fringe is not just about theatre, comedy and performances. It is also about people. Lots and lots of people. People from Edinburgh, from all over the UK, and from pretty much every corner of the world. And after spending so much of my working life talking to customers through a computer screen, there is something really special about standing behind my jewellery stall and actually meeting the people who wear and enjoy my work.

And yes, I did a LOT of talking.

My language skills got a good workout too! After spending so much time using English in the same familiar ways, suddenly finding myself chatting to visitors from different countries was a brilliant reminder that languages are a bit like muscles — use them or lose them! It was lovely to brush off some of my old language skills and discover that they were still hiding somewhere in my brain.

A month surrounded by makers

The market was organised, as always, by 3D2D, and they did another fantastic job.

One of the things I love about their markets is the quality and variety of the makers. There was such a strong selection of independent designers and craftspeople, and customers noticed it too. I heard so many people commenting on how beautiful, interesting and carefully curated the market was.

And honestly, when you spend a whole month surrounded by talented makers, you can't help but feel inspired.

There was so much to see — ceramics, textiles, prints, baskets, jewellery, artwork and all sorts of wonderful handmade things. The whole area felt vibrant, creative and full of energy, which is exactly what you want from a summer craft market in Edinburgh during the Fringe.

Of course, a month is a long time to be sitting at a market stall, and there are quiet days. Yes, really. They exist! Thankfully, there weren't too many of them.

And this is where good friends and fellow makers become extremely important.

The friends who kept me sane on the quiet days

A big shout-out to the wonderful people who kept me entertained, amused and generally prevented me from talking to myself too much during those quieter moments.

First up is Luna, who honestly could have been a comedian. I have no idea why she has chosen to explore her other talents instead — but luckily for us, those talents include making absolutely beautiful jewellery from her artwork.

Her work is colourful, original and completely her own. You can see her creations here: Westmount Art.

Then there was Dorkas, whose beautiful baskets were impossible to ignore. Her work has that lovely combination of being practical, beautifully made and full of character. You can discover more of her work at Asige.

And Shiya, who makes the most beautiful ceramic teacups, prints, mini vases and much more. Her work is delicate, playful and wonderfully thoughtful — the kind of thing that makes you want to take everything home with you.

You can see more of Shiya's work at Shiya Xu.

There are many more makers I want to mention, but if I start listing everyone now, this blog will turn into a novel — so I will save some names for the next one!

Back to my vegetable ivory jewellery...

And, of course, let's talk about me. :)

I've been doing craft markets for more than 15 years, and I can honestly say that the experience has changed enormously over that time.

Markets have changed. Customers have changed. The way people discover independent designers has changed. Social media and online shopping have transformed the way small businesses like mine work.

But one thing hasn't changed: there is nothing quite like meeting people face-to-face.

For Pretty Pink Jewellery, this is particularly important because I work with a material that many people have never seen or heard of before — vegetable ivory, also known as tagua nut.

When people first see my jewellery, they often think the material is wood, ceramic, bone or some kind of synthetic material. Then I get to explain that it actually comes from the seeds of certain palm trees!

That conversation is one of the reasons I love doing craft markets.

I can show people the material itself, explain where it comes from, how it is collected and transformed, and why vegetable ivory is such an interesting alternative material for jewellery. I can talk about the colours, the texture, the way it can be carved and polished, and how each piece has its own little differences.

Online, I can show you a beautiful photograph of a piece of jewellery and tell you about it.

At a market, I can put it in your hand.

And that makes a difference.

More than just selling jewellery

For me, craft fairs have never been only about selling jewellery.

They are about conversations.

Sometimes someone comes to my stall already knowing about vegetable ivory and wants to tell me what they have seen or bought before. Sometimes someone has absolutely no idea what it is and ends up spending ten minutes asking questions about it.

Sometimes people come back a few days later with a friend because they have told them about this strange and beautiful material they discovered at the market.

Those moments are priceless.

And then there are the customers who I have known for years, who come back to see what I've been making, and the people who have followed Pretty Pink Jewellery online for ages but have never actually met me in person.

To everyone who came to see me at the Edinburgh craft fair this summer: thank you!

It is always so lovely to finally meet you in real life.

I spend so much of my time sitting behind a computer, answering messages, packing orders and talking to people online that sometimes I think, Is this person actually real?

Then you turn up at my stall, and I think, Ah yes! You are a real person! 😂

And apparently, so am I.

Edinburgh, the Fringe and the magic of a craft market

There is something very special about Edinburgh during the Fringe.

The city becomes completely alive. There are performances everywhere, people rushing from one show to another, musicians, artists, comedians, tourists, locals and visitors from all over the world. There is colour and noise and excitement everywhere you look.

Being part of that atmosphere for a whole month was exhausting, inspiring, hilarious and occasionally chaotic — but mostly wonderful.

I came home with new ideas, new stories, new friendships and a renewed appreciation for what I do.

After more than 15 years of craft markets, I still believe that meeting people is one of the most important parts of being an independent jewellery designer and maker.

So thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat, asked questions, bought a piece of vegetable ivory jewellery, told a friend about Pretty Pink Jewellery, or simply came over to say hello.

And thank you to all the wonderful makers who made the month so much more fun.

There are definitely more stories — and more makers — to share.

So... watch this space for Part Two!

Until then, I'm back behind my computer, making jewellery, answering emails and wondering which of you lovely people I will get to meet in person next.

See you at the next market!

Love,

Ilana 
Pretty Pink Jewellery x