FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Question: Is it too early to think about your holiday shopping if Halloween hasn’t passed yet?
Shoppers at the Michigan Makers Market at The Hawk didn’t think so.
Thousands of people attend the juried art fair featuring more than 50 Michigan artisans, said Karla Aren, cultural arts programmer for the City of Farmington Hills.
The Saturday event offered a chance to find unique, handmade gifts for the holidays.
“This is really cute. I bought a pillow and you stick a book in there so it’s like your cozy little book. We passed it and came back and got it,” said Renee Baumgratner, a shopper.
Aren encourages visitors to support local businesses.
“All kinds of décor and other things that you need so if you want something locally made support your small businesses,” she said.
The market also featured live demonstrations.
“Part of the joy of making artwork is to create something new for me so rehashing the same thing wouldn’t be as much fun,” said Shadia Derbyshire, a painter. “But there’s also a nuisance in the paper it’s not like a paintbrush you could emulate there’s randomness in it so you can’t ever re-create it,” she said.
Organizers expect up to 3,000 people attended the market, which featured paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fiber art, ceramics, printmaking, and more—all made by Michigan artists.
Moments like the market are special for small businesses.
The Small Business Association reports 8 in 10 small businesses say the holiday season is important for their overall profit.
“This is a cool opportunity to get personalized gifts. Things that you can’t find online. Things that you can hold and touch and really feel,” Aren said. “You get to talk to the artists, to the people who actually made them.”