Shipwreck Beads Artisan Market Returns in Time for Holiday Shopping

The 2015 Winter Artisan Market promises food, music, vendors, make and take crafts, and more. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.

 

The 2015 Winter Artisan Market promises food, music, vendors, make and take crafts, and more. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.
The 2015 Winter Artisan Market promises food, music, vendors, make and take crafts, and more. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.

A recent article on how to shop smarter bemoaned the fact that “shopping can be rewarding or maddening. We buy stuff we need. We buy stuff we want. And we buy stuff we neither need nor want, not always knowing why.” With the holidays fast approaching, avoid the last minute rush and enjoy wandering the Shipwreck Beads Winter Artisan Market in Lacey instead.

Happening this year on November 28 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., the market coincides with Small Business Saturday and the long Thanksgiving weekend. In this age of box store gift giving, it’s refreshing to be able to experience and support so many local crafters in one central location.

“The authentic meaning and application of artisan alludes to a simpler time when people took pride in their craft: It’s about special and unique. [An] artisan is defined as: 1. A person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson, and 2. A person or company that makes a high-quality, distinctive products in small quantities, usually by hand and using traditional methods.” For the third year in a row, this twice annual market showcases almost 100 vendors from across our region.

This passion for goods produced locally by small, family businesses is growing exponentially. American Express estimates that in 2014 alone, $14.3 billion was spent at small, independent businesses on Small Business Saturday alone.

Visitors can enter prize drawings for $1 or two cans of food, with all proceeds benefiting the Thurston County Food Bank. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.
Visitors can enter prize drawings for $1 or two cans of food, with all proceeds benefiting the Thurston County Food Bank. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.

Market coordinator and long-time Shipwreck Beads staffer Kelsy Vincent is excited by the event’s growth. While the overall format remains unchanged, there will be more vendors including food provided by the Galley Cafe, among others. The event is sponsored in part by 94.5 Roxy radio, which will be live streaming from the event.

There will also be hands on “Make and Take” activities sponsored by Swarovski, a perennial fan favorite. At the 2014 Winter Artisan Market, attendees made Christmas ornaments featuring the gorgeous, sparkling crystals.

The event is free to attend but Vincent is proud to offer “a food drive to give back to the community.” For either two cans of food or $1 a ticket, visitors are entered into drawings for an array of prizes and gifts. All money and donations will benefit the Thurston County Food Bank during this often difficult time of year.

Whether you’re stocking up on jewelry, baked goods, or quilts, you’re sure to find all that and more at this year’s Shipwreck Beads Winter Artisan Market. Applications for vendors are filling up fast, but you can find the Booth Registration Form online. Space will be granted on a first come, first served basis, so apply soon.

Stock up on food, jewelry, quilts, and crafts galore before the holiday rush begins. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.
Stock up on food, jewelry, quilts, and crafts galore before the holiday rush begins. Photo courtesy: Shipwreck Beads.

Advertised as the world’s largest selection of beads, Shipwreck Beads is a true Thurston County treasure. From humble beginnings in the 1960s, Shipwreck Beads has grown into a 22,000-square-foot showroom with beads and jewelry-making supplies galore. Drop in to take a class or just browse the store’s stunning inventory on a rainy afternoon.

You can find updates on November’s Winter Artisan Market on Facebook or by following the Shipwreck Beads Facebook page. The Shipwreck Beads Winter Artisan Market will take place at 8560 Commerce Place NE in north Lacey. Give Shipwreck Beads a call at 360-754-2323 with any questions.