The Ypsi Artisans Holiday Market is returning to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse this season starting Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by five other dates.
The market will run on Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 17, and Dec. 18.
At the market, one can peruse the aisles of over 40 local vendors, selling items including jewelry, game pieces, women's and children's vintage clothing, donuts, purses, and candles.
As there are multiple dates and over 60 vendors registered, each event day will include new items to shop from. While shopping, the Ypsilanti Community High School Choir will be performing live music.
Angela Scott, a 1999 Eastern Michigan University alumnus, co-organized this market last year with two goals: affordability and approachability. As a crafter's application fee for markets can sometimes reach $200, she wanted an affordable and approachable market to register for. She also wanted an approachable market for community members to attend with its inexpensiveness.
“I think [this event] opens it up for some of our community members who don’t see themselves necessarily as part of the group that is the go-to for events, and I don’t think it’s because the city necessarily excludes people, but I think that sometimes economically, it feels like ‘I’m not a part of that part of the city’ or ‘That’s not my side of town’ or whatever,“ Scott said. "I love the idea, and as this market goes on and it gets more publicity, someone who wouldn’t necessarily see themselves as having been able, or even seeing themselves in that market... they can see themselves here..."
In addition to crafters, nonprofits will be at the market to fundraise. Meals on Wheels will be selling Peninsular Paper Company ornaments, YCS @ Work will be selling items such as branded hoodies, the Ypsilanti Senior Center will be selling raffle tickets for a queen-sized quilt and a smaller lap quilt wall hanging, and the local Girl Scouts will be selling tins of nuts. Educate Youth and the Corner Health Center will also be present to fundraise.
With the holiday season approaching, the market provides the opportunity to buy gifts for oneself or others. In a world where online shopping has risen in popularity, one may think of purchasing through an online medium. Scott notes that it is a fast method of purchasing, but it still fails to provide the same experience that a market can provide fully.
“I had an interaction with a woman who bought an outfit that I had made... I said to her ‘This will really look good on you...’ It just had to be the right person for it. She looked at it and kind of moved away, and then she came back and looked at it again. She said ‘I’m going to try this on,’ and I said ‘Sure.’ I show her the dressing room, but she says ‘But I’m not going to come out with this on. I’m just going to try it on,’ and I say ‘That’s fine...’ And then I hear her sniffling, and I said ‘Are you okay?’ and she says ‘This is beautiful... This is the first thing I’ve tried on since my mastectomy... I am going to come out in this...’,“ Scott said. "It fit her beautifully, and she said ‘I’m going to have to buy this... Would you go get my husband and tell him to come here?’ He came over... and she’s crying. He says to her ‘You’re beautiful. I told you you were beautiful.’ You can’t get that online.”
The market has always been focused on community, and Scott wants to showcase the vibrancy of Ypsilanti and its residents.
The Ypsi Artisans Holiday Market is free to attend, and vendor registration has closed.
