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| Ecolibrio |
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| PerlaAnne |
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| Pretty Little Elm |
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| Mommy's Little Rock Star |
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| Pickled Preppy |
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| West Ashley Wall Art |
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
Enjoy this little orange and black roundup, featuring some hometown vendors. Check out their Etsy stores!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Come hungry.
I always heard you're never supposed to grocery shop on a full stomach, but no one said anything about Christmas shopping with one. Be sure to bring your appetite to the Holiday Artist Market on December 7th and pick up goodies from these vendors:
Hello My Name is BBQ
Hello My Name is BBQ
Monday, October 28, 2013
Something for the ladies ...
Well, there's plenty for the ladies at the Artist Market, but here's what you'll find in the jewelry department:
Friday, October 25, 2013
We're featured in Charleston Magazine!
I was lucky enough to have Charleston Magazine come out to the last Artist Market to snap some shots. And this month, we're in the Local Seen!
Thank you to all the vendors/shoppers who tolerated a serious amount of flash photography at the last market.
Lives: In Wagener Terrace with husband Michael and “one giant cat named Mable”
You can check out the story here or read below:
She may not be crafty, but 32-year-old Kristen Gastaldo is certainly an inspired creator. In 2010, this hip self-starter carved out the Lowcountry Artist Market, a seasonal gathering designed to draw out nearby makers and buyers. With 10 successful shows now under her belt and another slated for December 7, the craft-show director has stitched together an eclectic collection of handmade and vintage purveyors that has area shoppers glued to local loot.
CM: When did you craft the idea for the Lowcountry Artist Market?
KG: While planning my wedding, I purchased bridesmaids’ jewelry on Etsy. Turns out, the maker was from Charleston. At that point, the downtown farmers market included the same vendors each week, and artists creating on the side found it hard to make that commitment. Craft fairs are all around the country, but there wasn’t one here, so I did a local Etsy search and began recruiting.
KG: While planning my wedding, I purchased bridesmaids’ jewelry on Etsy. Turns out, the maker was from Charleston. At that point, the downtown farmers market included the same vendors each week, and artists creating on the side found it hard to make that commitment. Craft fairs are all around the country, but there wasn’t one here, so I did a local Etsy search and began recruiting.
CM: Did the market’s wildly positive reception surprise you?
KG: Of course I’d hoped the first one would be good, but I couldn’t have known how popular it would be—people here love local. I wasn’t even prepared to count shoppers. We’ve had 1,000-plus at some markets—the holiday one always does well.
KG: Of course I’d hoped the first one would be good, but I couldn’t have known how popular it would be—people here love local. I wasn’t even prepared to count shoppers. We’ve had 1,000-plus at some markets—the holiday one always does well.
CM: How do you decide which vendors to include?
KG: When I started, I wondered if I’d get a bunch of crocheted toilet-paper covers. But I’ve had to turn away artisans who make awesome things. The selection process is a work-in-progress. In the beginning, I perused goods online; now, a jury helps me. And if I have a vendor who’s done several markets, I’ll ask them to rotate out for one. I want that sweet spot of new people and old favorites.
KG: When I started, I wondered if I’d get a bunch of crocheted toilet-paper covers. But I’ve had to turn away artisans who make awesome things. The selection process is a work-in-progress. In the beginning, I perused goods online; now, a jury helps me. And if I have a vendor who’s done several markets, I’ll ask them to rotate out for one. I want that sweet spot of new people and old favorites.
CM: Do you get a chance to shop?
KG: I buy something at every market. My husband jokes that I started this so I could shop! I usually walk around early to pick what I like, and if it’s still available at the end, I may buy it. You have to put money back into your business, right?
KG: I buy something at every market. My husband jokes that I started this so I could shop! I usually walk around early to pick what I like, and if it’s still available at the end, I may buy it. You have to put money back into your business, right?
CM: Tell us about some of the market’s success stories.
KG: It’s amazing to see people make careers of what they love. Michelle Jewell with Finkelstein’s Center is now making stuffed animals full time. Rewined Candles doesn’t need me anymore. Whole Foods picked up Shivika Asthana’s upcycled clothing line, Little Bit Kids. Dodeline Design opened a shop in I’On where they create everything from websites to stationery. And neve/hawk did Charleston Fashion Week and is now carried worldwide.
KG: It’s amazing to see people make careers of what they love. Michelle Jewell with Finkelstein’s Center is now making stuffed animals full time. Rewined Candles doesn’t need me anymore. Whole Foods picked up Shivika Asthana’s upcycled clothing line, Little Bit Kids. Dodeline Design opened a shop in I’On where they create everything from websites to stationery. And neve/hawk did Charleston Fashion Week and is now carried worldwide.
CM: Do you think the market will eventually outgrow Music Farm?
KG: Music Farm is a fantastic space for the market, and the only reason to leave would be that I have more people wanting to participate. I’ve thought about doing something at the Visitor Center Bus Shed or Hampton Park in addition to the Farm. I visited Germany last Thanksgiving and saw German Christmas markets in several town squares—something like that is another idea. If I could figure out how to do this thing full time, I would. Who knows? I could be one of my own success stories.
KG: Music Farm is a fantastic space for the market, and the only reason to leave would be that I have more people wanting to participate. I’ve thought about doing something at the Visitor Center Bus Shed or Hampton Park in addition to the Farm. I visited Germany last Thanksgiving and saw German Christmas markets in several town squares—something like that is another idea. If I could figure out how to do this thing full time, I would. Who knows? I could be one of my own success stories.
Lives: In Wagener Terrace with husband Michael and “one giant cat named Mable”
Occupation: As community manager at Blackbaud, she works to bring customers together through online forums, blog postings, Skype chats, etc.
Favorite vendors: Print art from Kristen Solecki, s’mores from Haypenny Confections, and vintage fashions from Inherited
Craft confession: “I would love to be craftier than I am, but my DIY skills are limited to manageable tasks around the house, like holiday decorations.”
The Holiday Lowcountry Artist Market is Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Music Farm, 32 Ann St. Admission is free. Find more information—including a vendor list—at lowcountryartistmarket.com.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Meet the Vendors
Here are the vendors for the December 7th Holiday Artist Market:
Click on the links to see a full selection of their works, or if you want to preview in mass, I've got a Pinterest page going. Be sure to click on favorites and start making your list!
Jewelry
Print Art
Bath & Body
Home Goods
Children's Clothing & Accessories
Accessories
Fiber
Wood, Ceramics
BC Pottery
F&B
Vintage
Monday, October 7, 2013
Now for the hard part.
For both me and the applicants. We have to pick vendors. And you have to wait while we do. I'm not sure who it is worse for. But at least this time I have help. Many, many thanks to our jury for helping to narrow down this selection. We'll turn away more than we can accept.
So thank you to everyone who applied! I am very lucky to live in a city where there is such talent to choose from. When I first started the Market, I was somewhat oblivious to this. I knew a few makers, but now I'm overwhelmed (in a good way).
It's going to be a fantastic market.
So thank you to everyone who applied! I am very lucky to live in a city where there is such talent to choose from. When I first started the Market, I was somewhat oblivious to this. I knew a few makers, but now I'm overwhelmed (in a good way).
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sunday is the last day to apply.
That's right, we're in the final stretch here - less than a week left to apply for the December 7th Artist Market.
So if you're a maker, crafter, artist, and/or entrepreneur, get that application in. The market is a great chance to take your goods from the internet to the Music Farm - meet your fellow makers, meet your fans. Apply for the market today!
Just click here to apply.
So if you're a maker, crafter, artist, and/or entrepreneur, get that application in. The market is a great chance to take your goods from the internet to the Music Farm - meet your fellow makers, meet your fans. Apply for the market today!
Just click here to apply.
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