Hypno Blog #13 -- Berkeley Telegraph Pop-Up Event

Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Pop-Up on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley

Hey everyone—François from Hypnotik here. 🌟
Happy New Year, and wishing you all a great 2024.

Today I’m taking you behind the scenes of my Christmas 2023 pop-up in Berkeley, right on Telegraph Avenue. This location is especially meaningful to me—I went to University of California, Berkeley, and Telegraph was always part of my daily routine. Being back there as a vendor felt full circle.

Setting Up the Booth

Once I arrived at the pop-up spot, it was time to install all the bells and whistles. I’ve been battling a stubborn clothing rack lately, so a rubber mallet came in clutch—it did the job (mostly).

At the booth, we offered sizes from Youth XS all the way up to 3XL, and when someone asked about 4X or 5X, I let them know we can go up to any size by request. Custom inquiries are always available through my website.

Handmade Apparel, Start to Finish

Once everything was set, it was time to dive into the goods. Every piece at the booth is made by me—I’m the artist behind the artwork and the manufacturer. I print every shirt and sweatshirt myself, and I also handle all the bleach and tie-dye processes in-house.

From handmade apparel to one-of-one variations, everything you see is produced with intention. Which piece would you grab first?

Community, Stories & Small Business Energy

Meeting people and talking about my work is always the best part of pop-ups. Whether it’s handing out free stickers or sharing stories about San Francisco and Bay Area history, every interaction feels special. Each shirt ends up carrying a little story with it—almost like a wearable history lesson.

This market was massive—over 200 vendors stretching down the street—and the talent was unreal. Always support small businesses. Always.

The Best Feeling as a Seller

While folding shirts, I caught a glimpse of a young guy nearby wearing one of my tie-dye crewnecks—something he had bought the day before. That never gets old. Seeing people return wearing your work is one of the most rewarding feelings there is.

I’ve been running BOGO deals for the past year, and honestly, two really is better than one.

Wrapping It Up

And that’s a wrap on this holiday pop-up adventure. 🎉
Thanks for coming behind the scenes with me. If you enjoyed this breakdown, feel free to share it and follow along for more pop-up moments and market magic.

Until next time,
François ✌️