Artisan markets are popping up everywhere, but the Chilliwack Market Mamas have quite the knack for planning amazing markets to support small local shops and charities around town.
Handmade items are my favorite to purchase. I love the fact that buying handmade products support the families who live in my community. Lucky for me, the Chilliwack Market Mamas have me covered with lots of pop-up artisan markets for me to attend! Last weekend, they hosted over 80 local vendors at a market on Promontory Road. Admission was FREE… which is always a good motivator to get me to spend more money at the booths! There was a charity raffle at the front door, and all proceeds raised were donated to the Starfish Pack program.
What the heck is a Starfish Pack, you ask? This program was developed when Abbotsford teachers noticed a cry for help from their students. Elementary kids were coming to class hungry on Monday mornings… and we ALL know how well we operate on an empty stomach (especially on a Monday)! Starfish Packs are backpacks filled with food and sent home with students who might not have access at home to nutritious meals. What a great cause.
Being a new(ish) mom, anything to do with kids these days hits me right in the feels. The majority of the mass amount of shopping I did at the artisan market was for my baby girl due next month, my 18 month old toddler, or my nieces! Here are a couple of my favorite stops at the artisan market last weekend:
FANTASY SOAPWORKS
Based in Chilliwack, Jessica is the mastermind behind Fantasy Soapworks. Her products smell amazing, look gorgeous, and work wonderfully. As a busy mama myself, I definitely had to indulge in a bath bomb to relax a bit before little baby arrives. I also fell in love with the cutest bath bomb ever – the perfect gift for my 11-year-old niece: a rainbow unicorn poop bath bomb. And the 11-year-old trapped in me also loves her Sailor Moon inspired bath bomb called Princess Serenity. A cute pink ball with a yellow crescent moon, it’s almost too cute to use!
Jessica also offers shower frosting. YUM. It sounds good enough to eat, but it looks and smells even better. With scents like berry, ocean breeze, and cucumber melon, these sugar scrubs will leave you feeling delectable!
PUDDLE JUMP DESIGNS
Handmade baby items. Yes! Puddle Jump Designs makes the CUTEST baby blankets, bibs, and scarves, and other baby/toddler items. I’ve been following Puddle Jump Designs on Instagram for quite a while and I had my eye on the cutest mint and coral colored baby blanket… lucky for me, it was still available by the time I came across her booth! I snagged it immediately; it’s an adorable patchwork blanket with soft white minky fabric on the backside. As soon as I got home, I packed it into my hospital bag.
Oh, and I couldn’t ignore the adorable display of toddler infinity scarves. I picked up a soft pink plaid scarf for my 18-month-old daughter and put it on her as soon as I got home. It’s so stinking cute, looks so great with her outfits and keeps her cozy all at the same time! Win win!
IVORY & ROSE DESIGNS
The local mama who is behind the beautiful Ivory & Rose Designs is Laurel. I had the pleasure of meeting her and her adorable daughter at the market where I just couldn’t walk past her stunning display of earrings and necklaces! Laurel makes all her jewelry by hand here in Chilliwack, and I love her selection. It’s very chic and trendy; understated but very elegant. I almost want to downsize my stretched ear lobes back to normal size just so I can wear her earrings! She has the cutest rose gold triangle studs that I just WISH I could rock.
So although I’ve started my Christmas shopping, I’m still very excited and thankful that more artisan markets will be popping up in the community over the next eight weeks! I mean, there are only 10 more Friday’s until Christmas, right?! Check out your local events calendar and support some local mama makers when you decide to hop on the Christmas shopping bandwagon!
1 Comment
Thank you so much Rianna! Fabulous write up. We really appreciate it. We are so glad you could come check out our market. We have been hosting markets in Chilliwack since 2012 and since we started there has been so many new events that have popped up so It’s really nice to be spotlighted. We are super proud to see so many amazing talented local crafters and handmade creatives. Our event wouldn’t be what it is without all of them 🙂