Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Logo for The Western Front

By Lili McMurtrey The full moon shone bright over Bellingham as rain clouds moved overhead, covering downtown in an ominous, spooky curtain. Inside the Shakedown, a makeshift market had been made for local artists and creators to set up shop for the night. Under dimmed lights, local vendors sold wares ranging from jewelry and baked goods to beauty products and paintings. The autumnal display is known as Harvest: a Full Moon Pop-up Market. Created by Sarah Woods, owner and baker at Gathered Confections, the market on Oct. 25 was the third of its kind. Woods said each year she carefully curates a group of vendors specifically for the full moon and Halloween season. “I do love a good theme, so I think one of my main goals was to not have it feel like a rehashing of the Commercial Street Night Market or the Farmers Market,” she said. “I wanted something with its own vibe and feel to it.” Woods said Harvest was created out of her own desire to be involved in pop-up markets. She said after continually trying to get involved in other local markets, she decided to put on her own. Woods said the first market was put together during her first year of business with Gathered Confections. “It’s a great way to get people to know that you exist,” she said. The dark and foreboding Shakedown set the stage for each artist and creator to showcase what they’d been working on. Woods’ confections, including pumpkin custards and apple butter cupcakes, were delicately laid out for guests to enjoy. Attendees milled around the bar, chatting with vendors and grabbing cocktails. Ciara Sana, the artist who created the market’s poster, sat at her table filled with stickers, buttons, prints and magnets. Sana said she’s been a professional artist for about four years. She said she started pursuing art seriously when she moved to Bellingham from Guam. Her portraits often feature a diverse collection of women with colorful cheeks. “I like to feel empowered most of the time so I look for women who embrace that,” she said. “There are a lot of women that I am inspired by when I’m doing portraits.” Sana’s stickers, greeting cards and prints can be found around town at places like the Community Food Co-op, Novato and Apse Adorn. Rather than instruments, rhythms and tunes, the stage was filled with gems and crystals from local vendor Upcycled Shiny Things. Necklaces were hung in vintage suitcases and bowls overflowed with stones of all colors.

IMG_7233-300x225
The Shakedown welcomed artists and patrons to celebrate the full moon. // Photo by Lili McMurtrey
Beside the stage, Cat Carnell of Sea Witch Botanicals set out containers of their concoctions. Perfumes, lip salves and candles sat atop a velvety green tablecloth. All of their products are certified vegan and they are also a certified B Corporation, Carnell said. According to the B Corporation website, certified businesses are legally required to consider their actions and the impact they will have on the environment, their employees, suppliers and customers. Sea Witch Botanicals is one of three Bellingham businesses to be certified, including Aslan Brewery and Kulshan Services. Carnell said the company is invested in keeping the oceans clean, which is why they are passionate about doing all they can to help. “We have beach cleanups and we donate to Earthjustice, local and global environmental companies,” she said. “It just kind of depends on what the need is.” Sea Witch Botanicals has a booth every Saturday from April 7 to Dec. 22 at the downtown farmers market and their products are at many shops around town, including the Community Food Co-op. Nested in a booth, an arrangement of jewelry by The Goat’s Coat hung from a wooden picture frame. Each piece was made from reclaimed materials, including copper wire and animal fur, owner Suzanne Lundberg said. Products from The Goats Coat are sold in a variety of places around Whatcom County and Skagit County. Locally, customers can find their goods at Third Planet downtown and Karibou Salon in Fairhaven. Upstairs under eerie red light, patrons had their fortunes told by a tarot card reader. Nearby, Wild Child Herbs had a smattering of herbal remedies in the corner. Their assortment of plant-based products included essential oils, tinctures and salves. The sound of bustle and laughter filled the room. As the rain hit the pavement outside, shoppers continued to enjoy all the market had to offer. Woods said the Harvest market aims to send summer off and greet autumn. “It’s kind of a celebration of the end of summer and the bounty that comes in the fall,” she said.


Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Western Front