What the Market Brought Me for Christmas

I am lucky enough to have really supportive parents. So supportive, that they occasionally drive down from NC to shop at the Market. This year, they handled a good bit of Christmas shopping at the event. Here's what ended up under my tree:

 

Earrings from Piper Blue

Necklace from Lauren Amos Designs

Candles (for the husband) from Rewined

And I picked up a pillow from Handmade by Hilary. 

Not too shabby.

Did Santa bring you anything from the LAM?

Alright, that was long enough.

Sorry I've been quiet for so long! After the Market, I tend to take a blogging break, but even I'll admit, that was a bit excessive. So to make up for it, here's a little round up of how our vendors do Christmas right!

Nostalgic Graphic Tees

Rewined Candles

Artwork of Kristen Solecki

Finkelstein's Center

Jill Lauren Handmade Knits

Dodeline Design

Inherited

And on my personal list:

Muy in Molly

Lauren Amos Designs

The Fresh Stitch

This should not be on my list. I do not have a child, nor am I pregnant. But the cuteness of this gets me!

Lauren Amos Designs

Have you finished your shopping? Add your own suggestions!

Thank you!

Yesterday was another FANTASTIC market. And there are several people to thank.

Thank you to all of the vendors for providing such an amazing selection of goods. Your hard work and craftsmanship does not go unnoticed. 

Thank you Charleston media for all of your support. Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, Charlie Magazine, The Bridge 105.5 - thank you for getting the word out!

Thank you Lowcountry Local First, for including us in your advertising. Glad to be a part of the local movement.

Thank you Music Farm, for letting us turn your venue into a market. Your bar into a display rack. Your stage into a aisle. Never has the Farm seen so many strollers!

SpaceCraft Studios - You're awesome! Thank you for entertaining the kids and decorating both presents and patrons. So excited to work with you in the future.

Thank you City Church (especially Jess) for caroling. Helped to make the season bright!

And thank you shoppers, for coming and supporting our local talent. I hope you enjoy your brand new, one (or a few) of a kind items! 

Can't wait to do it all over again in the Spring. 

To stay informed, join our listserve on the blog. I'll announce application and event dates there first. So lucky to be a part of a community with such talent and support!

- Kristen

Today is the day!

It's finally here! Open 10 am - 3 pm. See you guys at the Music Farm, 32 Ann St.

Quick tips for Sat!

We're so close! Vendors are loading up, the Music Farm bar is stocking the bar, I bet Auto Bahn is marinating for those bahn mi sandwiches, and I'm putting the final touches on my Christmas music Spotify playlist. It's time to shop!

Just a couple things to remember: These vendors make handmade, unique items. There's a limited quantity, so the earlier you come, the larger selection you'll see. Not to say anyone will run out. Our folks are prepared, but they do generally have a limited number of each item.

I'm guesstimating that the majority of the vendors now accept credit cards, but just to be safe, you might want to bring a little cash. The Music Farm has an ATM on site, but it does have a $3 fee.

Because everything is handmade, a lot of the vendors are willing to create custom items for you. So if you see something you like, but want slightly different - say, a particular color set of earrings - ask if it's possible to place a custom order. Finkelstein's Center creates custom stuffed animals. Dodeline Design does a lot of custom invitations. So pick up your Christmas cards AND plan to get your wedding/shower/birthday invites custom made. Lots of options, so don't be afraid to ask!

Come hungry! We have several snack/lunch options this time. Auto Bahn food truck will be on site, slinging vietnamese sandwiches. Check out a sample menu here. Carla Bakes has been baking up a storm and we hope she'll be bringing those bacon chocolate chip cookies you can't resist. We've added two new vendors - Haypenny Confections, who create specialty s'mores, and the Orange Spot Coffeehouse, who'll have hot an cold nonalcoholic drinks, like apple pie, cha yen, and of course, coffee! Lastly, it'll be 70 degrees, so pick up something fun from King of Pops. He's under the huge umbrella. Can't miss it!

And the Music Farm bar will be open, so sip on a bloody mary or mimosa (that will be on special) while you shop. Makes impulse buying even easier! 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Lowcountry Artist Market tomorrow, starting at 10 am.

Are you ready for Saturday?

I spent a little time on Etsy.com last night, making my Christmas list and marking off the remaining "to buys." So I made a little treasury of Artist Market vendors that'll be participating on Saturday. Take a look:

Have you played with Etsy's treasury yet? I'd love to see your picks, so feel free to share!

And of course, looking forward to Sat!

JK Designs: Cute as a button.

Get to know Jessica Reeks, designer/creator/owner of JK Designs:

"From the first button ring I designed to the collection I will show at the Lowcountry Artist Market, I've had such an exciting time turning vintage buttons into fashionable and fun custom rings. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the exciting ideas that my customers have been requesting recently from JK Designs. 

With my own wedding on the horizon, I have had so much fun creating custom rings for brides-to-be and their bridal parties. Many of my bridal customers have used the custom button rings to ask their friends and family to be a part of their big day using the theme, “I said yes, now will you?” The bridesmaids and maids of honor can wear the button rings on the big day, or simply as a memento of the wedding afterward.

I've been so honored to be able to help those who have lost loved ones by creating button rings commemorating their memories from a piece of their loved ones favorite clothing. I have enjoyed creating button rings for those who have served in the military and law enforcement.
 
Some of the buttons I have collected from antique shops and estate sales date back to the late 1800s. I love the idea of bringing old pieces back to life in a fresh modern way. Searching for the most unique vintage pieces has become just as much fun as creating the final pieces themselves.
 
Love my designs but have some ideas of your own? Feel free to contact me to explain your custom ring ideas. I would be happy to help you design a custom button ring just for you. Email me!

Nostalgic Graphic Tees

Nostalgic Graphic Tees

Do you have a little cowboy? How about super hero? Or a ballerina? Mermaid? Fisherman? Pirate? Painter? Then pick up their soon-to-be favorite shirt at the next Artist Market!

Created by Elizabeth Horton, here's the story of Nostalgic Graphic Tees:

"I am the owner of a commercial graphic design firm who has been inspired by my own children to branch out into clothing designs for kids. 

Seeing my children grow and develop their imaginations made me feel nostalgic of some of my own childhood memories. I remembered the joy in picking a flower, playing on a see saw, twirling in a tutu, catching that first firefly of the summer, looking at clouds against a blue sky, blowing bubbles, fishing in grandaddy’s pond, riding a bike. I loved reliving those simple moments with my own family and wanted to capture them in some fashion. 

My goal is to design products that are comfortable, unique, timeless, and age appropriate. This is the shirt that I hope you and your children will reach for time and time again!"

Finkelstein's Center

Finkelstein's Center

You may already know about Finkelstien's. Maybe you've seen the artist, Michelle Jewell, in The Art Magazine. Or maybe you went to her show at the Charleston City Gallery. She's kind of a big deal.

And this big deal has been creating handmade toys since January 2010. Each piece is unique; there are no set patterns. While most are her imagination, she does take custom orders. Have your favorite pet, child's drawing, or spouse replicated in plush, durable fabric.

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Nicholas Lane Jewelry

Nicholas Lane Jewelry

Located in Charleston, South Carolina, Currie Kilpatrick Boyd creates high quality, handcrafted designs that are classic and sophisticated, yet affordable. Whether you are looking for an elegant pair of earrings, that must-have necklace, a one-of-akind bracelet, or the perfect wedding accessory for  yourself or someone special ... Nicholas Lane offers a beautiful, handcrafted collection of each. 

About Nicholas Lane Jewelry: Currie Kilpatrick Boyd, an Augusta, Georgia native, began her artistic career in New York City where she studied wedding cake design at the Institute of Culinary Education. During the numerous weddings she attended as a cake designer, she realized that bridal parties and guests were often in need of inspired accessories. Currie began to explore jewelry design in her free time and, after moving to Aspen, Colorado in 1997, she turned her personal pursuit into a career path and began training with a small jewelry company, handcrafting jewelry for upscale boutiques and large retail stores nationwide. Currie moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 2001 and launched her own line of jewelry, Nicholas Lane, naming it for the street she lived on in Aspen.

Currie takes pride in carefully selecting gemstones and precious metals to perfect each timeless and elegant piece. Charleston’s amazing surroundings are the perfect backdrop for her coastal inspired jewelry, worn by women worldwide with everything from jeans to wedding gowns.  

Jill Lauren Handmade Knits

Jill Lauren Handmade Knits

 All original designs: Hand Knit with Soft, Luxurious Yarn

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