· By Jadyn Holmgren
Have you heard of the Valley Made Market?
The Valley Made Market
Some of you may be familiar with the Valley Made Market, a small maker's market featuring the raddest makers from Skagit Valley, Washington (and the surrounding areas). Maybe you were able to stop by some of the monthly events over the past few years, or perhaps you follow the market online. One thing is certain: This market is special.
The Valley Made Market began by accident. elSage Designs owners Phoebe and Jonathan hosted a block party for their brick and mortar’s one year anniversary. The party featured some friends who also made things, and they had live music. The response was so well received that they decided it needed to happen again-- and the following year the Valley Made Market was born.
Normally the Valley Made Market begins in April and happens one Sunday a month through October. Last December the Valley Made Market hosted its first Valley Made Holiday Market at Maplehurst Farms, and we are planning to do it again this year (December 11,12,&13). Each market is unique, and each has their own vendor line-up that changes slightly each month. Valley Made is small enough that each vendor gets to be in the spotlight, but it is large enough that shoppers can find nearly everything on their list: art, greeting cards, apothecary, jewelry, hand wood-worked goods, ceramics, knits, clothing, embroidery, soaps, plants & flowers, bags & wallets, macrame & wall hangings, tarot card readings, vintage goods, quilted items, hand-poured candles, amazing food, AND SO MUCH MORE! Each season we welcome new makers as well as past vendors.
Different musicians from Skagit Valley or the surrounding areas come and play outstanding sets of live music at each market. Children dance, people gather around and watch the talent, and vendors bob and sway to the music as we revel in the Pacific Northwest sunshine (and occasional rain). The Valley Made Market is magical because of the community. It would not be what it is without the makers, musicians, organizers, and customers. Together, we make the Valley Made a special place to be.
An Unexpected Pandemic
The Valley Made Market in-person events have been postponed until scientists and public health advisories deem it safe for us to have a public market (We are hoping for a July start date, but will base our decision on the safety of the community). Although we are sad not to be able to see you face-to-face, we are thankful to have created a webpage that allows us to keep the community together. The Valley Made Marketplace is a one-stop destination to shop all things Valley Made. Like the in-person markets, the line-up will change slightly each month.
By having Valley Made vendors together on one page, it is easy to shop handmade, small businesses of all sorts. Each maker has a photo with their business name. By clicking on the photo, you are taken directly to that maker's web shop and can easily shop their available goods. We love having the community together still, even if it’s on a web page instead of at a pop-up event.
Maybe there are silver linings to all of this:
- We are keeping people safe by staying home.
- People who could not attend the in-person markets now have a chance to shop from many of the Valley Made vendors.
- We are still together. We are changing with the times.
- The Valley Made Marketplace is a way for people to shop Valley Made vendors 24/7.
- Soon we'll be together again, rocking another amazing market season together!
Market Dates (Starting Date Dependent on COVID-19 Regulations)
July 19
August 23
September 13
October 11
Dec 11-13
**Markets will be moving to Riverwalk Park this season, located at 501 Main St. Mount Vernon, Washington**
Stay Tuned
To stay up to date with Valley Made status, events, and makers, follow @valleymademarket on Instagram and Facebook. Check out the Valley Made Marketplace and reach out to hello@valleymademarket.com if you have any questions. We love you and we will see you soon!
(All Market Photos are by Sig Photography. Follow Emma at @letsgosig and find her on the Valley Made Marketplace).