By Margo Greenman
The Pacific Northwest is a D-I-Y haven. Because of this, creative-minded locals know that when they need supplies to make their artistic visions come to life, Shipwreck Beads is their premier source for all things “bead.” Committed to providing South Sound creatives with an expansive collection of beads and jewelry making supplies, Shipwreck Beads is giving back to the community this summer with a day dedicated to showcasing local artistic talent during their 2nd Annual Artisan Market on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
After a successful first year, Shipwreck Beads’ Artisan Market is back with another opportunity for local jewelers, crafters, and other artists to share their work with the community. From jewelry and ceramics, to clothing, stained glass, fibre arts and more, Shipwreck Beads’ Artisan Market is a day for the community to peruse and purchase the handiwork of talented, local artists while enjoying a beautiful summer day in the South Puget Sound.
Shipwreck Beads’ Social Media Coordinator and “jill-of-all-trades” Kelsy Vincent says this year’s event is expected to be bigger and better than last summer’s event and the Winter Artisan Market combined. Last summer the event featured 54 vendors. This year the event is maxed out with 72 artisans from across the South Puget Sound.
“The main thing that brought on this event was our customers,” says Vincent. “A lot of our customers have small businesses. They have Etsy shops and vend at other events. The Artisan Market is an opportunity for us to support our customers. It’s exciting to see what they make with the products they purchase from us.”
In addition to the more than 70 vendors who will be featured at this year’s Market, a few other “extras” have been added to make this summer’s Market even more special. Vincent says guests can look forward to a full day of music from the 94.5 Roxy radio remote, authentic barbecue from Heavenly Hog BBQ, “make-and-take” seminars, and much more.
Vincent says of all the new attractions featured at this year’s event she’s most looking forward to the “make-and-take” classes. “We had some demos last year, but this year we’ll have some make-and-takes for people to be able to make something and then take it home with them,” she explains. Vincent says one of the most anticipated make-and-take classes will be hosted by California-based TierraCast, a respected manufacturer of quality cast and lead free metal beads. For a small fee, participants of the class will be able to make a TierraCast inspired craft and take it home with them to enjoy long after the Market event is over.
Another addition to this year’s Market – carried over from Shipwreck Beads’ Winter Market – is the food drive. Event-goers are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items to the Market. Each submission will be entered into the Market’s hourly raffle for a chance to win handcrafted items from the featured vendors, as well as gift cards to Shipwreck Beads. All of the food collected at the event will be donated to the Thurston County Food Bank to help local families. Vincent says, “[Shipwreck Beads] is really excited to help our community by doing this drive.”
Shipwreck Beads has been a local fixture in the Thurston County community since the late 1960s. Originally a nautical-themed antique store that “just happened to keep a few trade beads in stock,” Shipwreck Beads has grown to become one of the most recognized sources for beads and jewelry making supplies in not just the South Puget Sound, but the entire Northwest, serving as an important bead and crafting resource to artists near and far.
With its 22,000-square-foot showroom, Shipwreck Beads boasts more than 30 aisles of “meticulously organized” beads. Patrons of Shipwreck Beads love the vast and curated collection of beads offered in Shipwreck’s expansive retail area. Whether you’re in the market for gemstones, Swarovski crystals, Peruvian ceramic, and other specialty beads, or are simply looking for seed, wooden and other more common bead varieties, Shipwreck is ground zero for beaders and crafters alike.
Shipwreck Beads’ Artisan Market will take place on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about Shipwreck Beads, visit their website here. Additional details about the Market and participating vendors can be found on Shipwreck Beads’ Artisan Market’s Facebook page here.
Shipwreck Beads’ Artisan Market
Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
8560 Commerce Pl Dr NE
Lacey, WA 98516
800-950-4232
