by Nicole Bennett

This summer, Sundays are now not only for relaxing; they're for enjoying the craftsmanship of locally owned and operated businesses. The North Market is hosting Artisan Sundays, which will be held on the first Sunday of every month, starting May 4 from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.

They will run through October 5.

The North Market has launched Artisan Sundays to give creative Columbus citizens a regular outlet for their inspired output. This monthly event gives more than 30 local artisans and crafters the opportunity to showcase their products while gaining exposure in an environment that is conducive to promoting the success of small businesses.

Previously, their works could only be seen at stores like Wholly Craft in Clintonville, www.Esty.com and traveling craft festivals.

Artisans and crafters were first introduced into the North Market events at Holiday Open House, the first weekend in December in 2005. With rave reviews from both participating vendors and shoppers, the North Market started looking for other ways that they could incorporate crafters into their events.

They then decided to use the Sundays during the North Market Food and Ohio Wine Festival as another way to give crafters an outlet for their products. This event gains a lot of exposure and attracts a large crowd, which the North Market thought to be beneficial for the crafters and gave the patrons another interesting facet to the festival experience.

“The staff at the North Market had discussed the potential to have a Sunday artisan market and the crafters were excited about the event when presented the opportunity, so it worked out nicely,” says Mary Martineau, director of marketing at the North Market.

The event was established with the idea that the North Market was expanding their venues support for not only culinary artisans, but those of the craft variety as well.

According to Martineaux, the North Market had 50 artisans apply for the open 29 spaces.

“My initial reaction to Artisan Sundays was ‘how do I sign up?’ I love the farmers markets they have, so it was a great idea to extend that type of event to local artists and crafters,” says Michelle Thomas of Baby Gee’s. Baby Gee’s will be selling products such as baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs, towels and bags.

“I think it is necessary for downtown to support more local artists. What better place than the North Market where there is a hub of people, great produce, and now artists,” adds Theresa Morbitzer of Vintage Vamp Jewelry. Vintage Vamp Jewelry will available all season long and selling products with vintage elements. 

Plenty of jewelry will be available through vendors such as Anne Holman Jewelry Designs, Earth by April, and XO Designs. If you are interested in products made from recycled material, then you may want to visit the vendors Starfish Designs and Patrice Lehocky.

Additinoally, ZetteMade, Reincarnations, and Meatless Art will be showcasing their household items. Vendors Zen tree, Mojo Poet, and Craft Beaver have products that will help you relax after a long day.

After the completion of the Artisan Sundays, both the market shoppers and the artisan participants will evaluate the event and determine whether or not to continue the event next year. “From the feedback, we will determine whether to continue it next year with a similar schedule, increase the frequency of the event, or discontinue the event,” says Martineau.

For more information, visit www.northmarket.com.