What “Shop Local” means to us

By market artist Steve Sellers

The holiday shopping season is almost upon us, if you’ve been in any megalomart type stores recently you can see the stacks of merchandise already being stacked high. We will soon be bombarded with new Black Friday specials weekly.

You may also hear or see, especially on social media the voices of some saying “shop local” or “support your local artists, designers & makers”….even American Express gets in on this with “Small Business Saturday “.

I thought I would share with you what it means to us when you “shop local” and support your local artists, designers & makers at First Saturday Arts Market.

Sure, it means that we can buy groceries, feed and clothe the kids, maybe even get ahead on the mortgage for January & February (aka the slow months)..you know, the obvious things. There is another side for us though that goes a bit deeper.

First and foremost, we appreciate you. Our work is a passion for us, everything we create has our heart and soul poured, painted, hammered and chiseled into it. Every single thing. We are fortunate to be able to do what we do, and the artists, designers & makers of First Saturday Arts Market never forget that. We know that you passed a lot of stores on your way to First Saturday, and we don’t take that lightly. The thought that our work will end up as gifts to your family and friends is an honor. Our creations wrapped and under trees and in stockings across the city, state and even the country is honor that we will always remember.

Our drive to create never slows, it’s a constant in our minds, our hands and our heart. Your support and patronage allows that passion to grow, allows us to learn, allows us to follow our creative vision wherever it may lead us. It’s kind of hard to fit all of that into a slogan like “shop local”, but it’s all there and we want you to know just how much it means to us.

This holiday season we hope you will once again consider First Saturday Arts Market for your gift shopping. We promise you an awesome shopping experience full of unique and incredible choices for you and yours! Come see us Saturday, November 5th or Saturday, December 3rd.

Steve Sellers, has been making and selling his jewelry for many years. He was one of the first exhibitors at our originally named market: Yale Street Arts & Flower Market! Check out his web page here.