Do you have a long gift list and are you fresh out of ideas? It’s an all-too-common predicament this time of year, when we have lots of people to shop for and not a clue what to get. The Shipwreck Beads November Artisan Market is your answer. They have gifts for everyone that are as unique as they are and will definitely be better than the mass-produced Santa tie you were eyeing for your dad. The November Artisan Market will make your holiday shopping as easy as pumpkin pie. In its fifth year, the market is expanding to a two-day event, giving you more time to find those perfect gifts. It’s all happening Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26, at their Lacey location, 8560 Commerce Place Drive NE, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Prepare for a dazzling display of great finds as the market gets bigger each year. Beth Simmons, buyer and event coordinator at Shipwreck Beads, expects all 100 vendor spots to fill up by the event date – they are already almost full. Haven’t been to a Shipwreck Beads Artisan Market before? Here are five reasons why you should visit this year – and don’t forget your list.
- One-stop Shopping
Don’t let a long list make you dread heading out to shop. You can find something for everyone on your list, from your kids and parents to friends and even your boss. Think a craft fair will only check off the “girly gifts” on your list? Think again. The November Artisan Market has plenty of items for the men in your life, including items crafted by leather artisans, handmade knives and the Dirty Man Soap Company, a favorite of Beth’s. “Their new scent, Tobacco Amber, is my new favorite scent,” says Beth. “It is so yummy. It smells like your grandfather’s jacket – a sweet, pipe tobacco type scent. I will be buying a case of it at this year’s market.”
Their wide-range of vendors means you can find something for everyone your list.
- Always Something New
Some of this year’s talented artisans will be selling handmade coil baskets, lotions, soaps, stain glass, wood-carving block prints, taxidermy jewelry, “geeky” clothing and nerd accessories, upcycled clothing, twisted wire trees, wooden children’s toys, wooden bowls, wreaths, cedar and alder pendants, native art, candles, food, chainmail – there are too many too list. Favorite vendors, including Pigtail Creations whose pickles are a favorite among the staff at Shipwreck Beads, will be returning as well. “We have her bring a whole case just for us to buy,” says Beth.
In short, you never know what you are going to find at the Shipwreck Beads Artisan Market. With new vendors attending each year, you will always be surprised at the exciting treasures awaiting discovery. “This year we have a really diverse group,” says Beth. “We just keep getting more and more vendors that make incredibly unique items.”
- Support the Thurston County Food Bank
Looking for a way to give back this holiday season but worried about being short on time? At the November Artisan Market, you can find gifts for everyone on your list and also do your holiday giving at the same time. Shipwreck Beads holds a drive for the Thurston County Food Bank at the market. Donate a dollar or two cans of non-perishable food and you get a raffle ticket for their drawings – donate more, get more tickets. “Vendors donate items they have made by hand for the raffle prizes. It’s really great,” says Beth.
Wrap It Up For A Cure, another favorite, will also be returning with her mesh wreaths and hand-knitted scarves, hats and blankets. All the proceeds benefit cancer charities.
- Support Local Artisans and Our Local Economy
We all spend a lot of money during the holidays. Why not keep it in our own community’s economy?
“Endorsing local artists is something we desperately need to do here in our community,” says Beth. Supporting local artisans, which supports our local economy, is why Shipwreck Beads started the market in the first place. “It’s the whole motivation behind doing the event – to help foster that community,” she adds. “We’ve seen two business here in Washington State in the beading industry move their fulfillment to Idaho because the minimum wage is less. We need to encourage these businesses to stay here and keep their jobs here by giving them our shopping dollars.”
Shipwreck Beads chooses to hold their Artisan Market on Small Business Saturday, to encourage holiday shoppers to “shop small” for their gifts, making a real difference.
- Find Something for Yourself
You know you deserve to spoil yourself just a little for all the work you do, the boss you put up with the dog that just won’t be house-trained. In addition to finding a treasure or two for yourself, there are plenty of fun activities to do while at the Artisan Market including a free make-and-take Christmas ornament table. You can take a break from shopping to relax and let your creative juices flow. The ornament will make a great gift, or keep it as a little something for yourself. Other fun tables include psychics and tarot card readings.
Set up a remainder on your phone so you don’t miss all the fun on Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26. Your holiday shopping will be done in no time. This year, an ATM will be onsite for your convenience, too. To keep up-to-date on the attending vendors, follow Shipwreck Beads on Facebook. If you have questions, visit the Shipwreck Beads website or call them at 800-950-4232.
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