Any shopper looking for handmade, unique wares, look no further than “made. a local market.” The two-day indoor shopping event will feature over 100 local businesses, or “makers,” selling food, home décor, art, apparel, bath and body products, and more.
made. a local market is the brainchild of Shesten Melder and Tawnya Hansen. The pair grew up in Mesa, and has always shared a deep love for local business and community. Thanks to this passion and their own jewelry business, they have been hosting their own local market events for years, but this is the first under the “made.” brand.
The makers that will be participating in the event are all local, Arizona businesses, giving made. a very homegrown feel. While there are several popular handmade goods fairs around the Valley, one thing that sets this apart is the workshops that will be offered. Several makers will be hosting hands-on workshops to teach shoppers more about their business and work. More information and registration for the workshops is available here.
“If you showed up, got a lesson from a local maker, and got to take something home besides something someone else made? That’s value. That’s building a community. That’s connection,” Melder says of the workshops.
With the new branding of Melder and Hansen’s event also comes exciting changes. For the first time, they are incorporating a “wish wall.” This means that anyone who enters the market can write a wish on a slip of paper, roll it up and put it into the beautiful dandelion artwork on the wall by local artist, Sassy Krayola. Melder and Hansen will be sharing wishes with the market and giving the community the chance to help make a few lucky guests’ wishes come true.
With so many exciting features at the first ever made. a local market, the event is sure to delight guests of any age.
made. a local market will be held this Friday, August 26 from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center. Admission is free, but early admission is available for purchase. For more information, visit http://www.madelocalmarkets.com/.
Below are several products that will be available at made. from just a few of the many makers!
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