Since I spend a good deal of time at the Market each week, I love it when new vendors pop up. And last week there were at least a couple that I had never seen before. Right next to us was a little gem called Cobenick Studios. They have all sorts of leather books and journals that I was astonished to learn are entirely handmade and bound. They are also quite affordable. The leather is hand-tooled and hand-dyed, or painted. The filler paper is also handmade; you can learn more about that at their Website. They also do wedding invitations that are stunning.
I stopped in to visit Ale’s House Peruvian this week as well. They have the cutest little things. And by little, I mean miniature. I’ve always loved miniature things; doesn’t everyone? There are little tiny houses made out of organic things like trees and gourds. There are tiny people in the tiny houses who are doing tiny things. It’s all just so magnificently tiny and cute.
I would tell you about the gorgeous cherry tomatoes that I got this week and how great they were, but I can’t because I didn’t get any! My kids ate them ALL while we were still at the Market. I would consider that a ringing endorsement, but I sure wish I could have had a couple. I guess I’ll have to try again next week.
While it is usually sweltering around here this time of year, the last Market day was breezy and lovely and cool. Loosely Strung played some old favorites, making the afternoon feel festive.
In search of new treasures this week, I cam across Green Handle Designs. She has some fantastic jewelry, or rather wearable art. She also has duct tape flowers that are bright and colorful, catching your eye from afar. The flowers come as magnets, barrettes and ink pens, and I had to get one of each. People that can make things out of duct tape besides patches for furniture amaze me.
I also finally stopped at the photography booth just down from mine, Phosegraphe, which means “light writing” in Greek. His pictures are gorgeous! The way that he plays with light and color make me want to start collecting his pictures. If you are coming down this way, I strongly suggest you stop and take a look!
On my way out, I saw a farm stand that I hadn’t yet seen and couldn’t resist stopping for some green beans at Darby Farms. They are from West Jefferson and I used to live there, so it felt like old friends. Delicious green beans! I hope they come back next week.
Counting down until the next market… Hope to see you there!
Pearl Market opens in just one short week and shoppers will find record numbers of vendors this year offering a cornucopia of treasures. One-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry and artwork, baked goods, meats and cheeses, and don’t forget the freshest seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers abound on Tuesdays and Fridays beginning May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get to know the farmer who grows the food you purchase and find out what inspired the artist who creates that can’t-live-without necklace. While you’re there, grab a bite of lunch and enjoy the live entertainment.
Shopping is even easier this year since Pearl Market now accepts major credit cards and the Ohio Directions Card.
Want a little preview? Check out the video below. Farmers Jarrod and Carie Starr from Cherokee Valley Bison Farm and Steve and Gretel Adams from Sunny Meadows Flower Farm tell you all about the benefits of Pearl Market.
February is Crafter’s Month at the Winter Pearl Market (20 E. Broad Street)! We are looking to close out our inaugural winter market with a bang. Because the MARKETPLACE (where local handmade arts, clothing, crafts and other gifts have been sold on consignment) has been so popular, we are expanding on that idea and making the whole month of February “Crafter’s Month.”
But we need crafters to participate, so if you are interested, please email Heather Brown at heather@downtowncolumbus.com for more information.
How can anyone NOT love MadLab? The idea of a crazy laboratory is undeniably appealing; and this one hosts a gallery space for visual arts and a theater space for performing arts (a theater troupe).
And where does a place like MadLab belong?
You already know the answer to that question: right in the heart of Downtown Columbus. They’ve put down serious roots by buying the whole building at 227 N. Third Street.
Who knew there was a theater there? There’s not… yet. Before MadLab made its purchase, the space was an auto detailing operation. Right now, the Lab team is hard at work doing renovation work for the space’s March 2010 debut.
The renovation team has already discovered one of the very coolest things about downtown properties: they are chock full of fun finds. According to managing director, Andy Batt, “One of the interesting things we found was that half of the building had three separate ceilings, one on top of another. The third ceiling was an antique, ornate tin ceiling. We are hoping to be able to clean that up and use it in our gallery space.”
That’s not all.
“We also found a small basement we didn’t know was there when we purchased the building. It’s about 10 feet by 10 feet and about seven feet tall. There are old signs down in the basement that are from previous uses of the building.”
Who knows what MadLab might do with those signs? Regardless, we’d say the signs are good for the group’s success in the new digs!
A good guest never arrives at a party empty handed.
If ever there was a fundamental law from the etiquette police, it’d be that one. Even if your host is named “Mom”, it’s just gracious and grown-up to offer a small token of appreciation for the effort it takes to host a big turkey dinner.
And yes, the Winter Pearl Market has you covered. Come down to Broad Street (20 E. Broad Street) immediately (Tuesday, 10:30 am – 2 pm) to pick up a very cool, locally made gift of goodie for Thanksgiving.
Honestly, you won’t need a gift guide or advice. The moment you walk inside the winter market, you’re surrounded with darling things. It’s a giant maze of wonder.
You might pause for a moment at the collection of ceramics by local artist Nicki Strouss. Her coffee mugs require close inspection. No ordinary vessels, the grips on these cups are ergonomically angled to suit the way humans really hold mugs.
Or maybe a crazy bag made from recycled fabrics? Ethel Jayne Originals takes textiles like rugs and shower curtains and gives them a new life as very edgy satchels for gals AND guys.
Bottle stoppers made from old doorknobs and outdoor faucets can be found at IKC design.
A duct tape pen? Hand-painted slate? You really need to stop in to see this stuff. These goods can’t be found at Walmart.
Of course, edible gifts abound too: pumpkin pies, breads and muffins… and fresh fare from our farmers. Or perhaps an extra-special olive oil from The Olive Orchard for the gourmand in the kitchen?
Fall is here in all its golden glory. With Halloween goblins and ghouls, pumpkins and gourds, football and more football. Surely Ohio farmers are putting their beds to bed for a long winters rest, and farmers markets are closing their shutters for the season. Nope, not in downtown Columbus.
Although the outdoor Pearl Market wraps up its season this Friday, the indoor Winter Pearl Market will come right in on its heels. Thanks to a grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Market Promotional Program, Capital Crossroad SID has extended Pearl Market’s season through February. It’s an idea that came from vendors and shoppers alike, who told Pearl Market staff that they would like to continue selling and shopping. So more Market they shall have.
Starting next Tuesday, you can shop each Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 am – 2 pm on the first floor of 20 E. Broad Street. Approximately 34 vendors will be there with their wonderful good and local produce (yes, it’s all still local – mostly grown in greenhouses), baked goods, meats, cheeses, oils, syrup, jams, eggs, soaps, jewelry, sweaters, bags, dog-friendly items, and much more. There will also be an art gallery produced by the Create Columbus Commission and a Holiday Marketplace with gift items. Also new for the indoor Market, customers can shop with the Ohio Direction Card (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Food Stamps).
Many people in Ohio share a characteristic with the rest of the country. Rather than making positive change at home, they leave. Instead of making a commitment to live an urban lifestyle in Columbus, for example, they flee for Chicago or one of the coasts.
This trend is not new. Ohio has been experiencing a “brain drain” among so-called young professionals for more than 30 years.
Columbus has had its share of change agents, including people who invested “sweat equity” in the Short North, German Village, Old Town East, local music and visual arts, and one of the most vibrant gay communities in the country, to name a few. These grass roots changes are often lead by recent college graduates. They are the truly meaningful changes that capture a generation.
Where are the young change agents in Columbus? What are they advocating? Where are people investing sweat equity? Who is “rocking the boat”?
How exciting is Spring and what it brings to the downtown urban landscape? The market sprung into action yesterday with produce, food, and art and I am ready to take you through the market weekly to visit the lovely vendors and learn a bit more about this wonderful city we call home.
Since I spend a good deal of time at the Market each week, I love it when new vendors pop up. And last week there were at least a couple that I had never seen before. Right next to us was a little gem called Cobenick Studios. They have all sorts of leather books and journals that I was astonished to learn are entirely handmade and bound. They are also quite affordable. The leather is hand-tooled and hand-dyed, or painted. The filler paper is also handmade; you can learn more about that at their Website. They also do wedding invitations that are stunning.
While it is usually sweltering around here this time of year, the last Market day was breezy and lovely and cool. Loosely Strung played some old favorites, making the afternoon feel festive.
DIGGING IN NEW DIGS
THANKFUL MANNERS
T’IS THE SEASON
Many people in Ohio share a characteristic with the rest of the country. Rather than making positive change at home, they leave. Instead of making a commitment to live an urban lifestyle in Columbus, for example, they flee for Chicago or one of the coasts.
