Pop-up Market: Art Calling to the Senses
The sun warmed the morning chill away as people strolled down Stonefield at the Pop-up Market Craft Cville on Saturday Oct. 23. A breeze swept the street as people tried to sell their colorful wares. The market was organized by Craft Cville, a group that celebrates vintage, handcrafted items and art in this community.
A collage of white and blue tents dotted in front of Regal Stonefield IMAX and Screen X, Duck-Donuts, and the other permanent shops. An assortment of items were sold including handcrafted soap, scarves, cutting boards, paintings, fresh vegetables, and much more. The sellers stayed at Stonefield from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, watching people come and go.
Several shops participated in a door prize giveaway through Instagram. After commenting and tagging two people in a post, shoppers had a chance to win free credit or items. Each of the sellers taking part in the door prize had a post on Craft Cville’s Instagram account giving directions on how to win.
A stall called Bud and Thorn sold scarves with zippered pockets and masks. The tent was draped with colorful cloth of checkered flannel, bright cottons, and simple dark colors to go with most outfits. The seller pointed out the pockets. They were big enough to fit a large phone, car keys, and a thin wallet all at once. Along with selling their wares in person, Bud and Thorn has an Etsy shop with over a thousand sales. They also participated in the door prize giveaway.
Another stall sold carpets with moths embroidered on them, pottery, and slug figurines by Abigail Treece. Treece said that this was her second event in Charlottesville. She said Craft Cville’s next event is Nov. 20. More information can be found on Craft Cville’s Facebook page when the event nears.
Amy Shawley Paquette sold drawings of birds, from black vultures to blue herons. The drawings fluttered in the strong breeze, their small eyes watching the passersby. She explained that she is part of the Charlottesville birding community. “I work from all my own photographs,” she said.
Shawley Paquette said it is a challenge to find different types of birds to photograph then draw. Sometimes she goes into the woods to capture pictures of birds, and other times they come to her birdfeeder. Paquette sold 4×5 prints of her drawings for $4 and 8×10 prints for $15. Her Etsy account is called KeswickForest.
The pop-up market had almost everything. It had handmade wooden pens from DSL Woodturning and goat milk soap from Moth Wood that moisturizes and cleans all at once. Kristina Parker from K.P. Knitwork was garbed as a buccaneer selling felt hats and embroidered towels. Art caught the eye as it hung in the sun. Canvases of painted pumpkins and flowers had brightly colored glass stuck to them. Shoppers could find CBD products from Albemarle Hemp Co. and The Little Flower Field’s body work selections. Vintage albums from Styx and Stones was a busy attraction.
“I enjoy craft markets like this. I get to find unique gifts and just see and appreciate things people are making locally,” said a local shopper. Many people seemed to agree as a steady flow of people passed through the stalls as lunch came and went. Conversation dotted down the street as people looked at the numerous crafted items. People smiled as they glanced at the shining art and sweet-smelling creams.
