market: Holiday HandMade Market 2022

After a long 3 year hiatus due to the pandemic, The HandMade Market Niagara was finally back in full swing this November for their 12th Annual Holiday Market at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre! One of our largest markets of the year, we were overjoyed to be back SIPPING, SHOPPING + SAVOURING over 175 Canadian makers from all across Ontario + Quebec.

We have been participating in The HandMade Markets since way back in 2017, their Spring market being our very first. Growing up I attended each with family + friends, dreaming of one day participating myself. Years later, that dream came true! 

It only felt right to sport all of our HMM maker buttons we've collected over the years - this market is such a pillar in the artisan community + we are oh so grateful to be a part of them.

We packed up the moving van on Thursday with what felt like the entire studio + headed to The Niagara Falls Convention Centre. After a lot of heavy lifting + a few trips through the loading dock, we were ready for set up. This year, we debuted our brand new display for the very first time - as with all new adventures, they come with a learning curve... and some power tools to get the job done.

After set-up, we were itching to get the weekend started + our excitement was at an all time high. The best part? We spent the entire weekend with some of our best maker friends: Bella Buddha Beads, Soft & Still Co., Lip Service Beauty, Paperscript, Carnival of Kitsch, Paperbec, Skim Ceramics + so many more talented artisans. Weekend wine was fuelled by 13th Street Winery, life saving coffee from Groundswell Coffee (best oat milk lattes around) + treats from Hometown Ice Cream (with the yummiest vegan options). 

My heart was so full to see a line up of guests stretching the entire convention centre, everyone eager to shop local. Once the doors opened + our nerves settled, we were ready for the incredible market weekend ahead.

You all loved our new set up just as much as we do - one that years ago felt like a dream. This set up was a dream to shop from, display our goods + of course it had sooo much storage. All my maker friends know how valuable storage is! And can we take a moment for this gorgeous forest green colour?

Even though our last HMM Holiday Market was back in 2019, it felt like just yesterday that we were here. We checked a few gifts off our list - because handmade for the holidays is best - and many of you showed up, holiday list in hand, ready to shop SARAH'S SOAPS. Nothing makes us happier than hearing: 

"You were first on our list, we came for you!"

We created so many custom skincare rituals, packaged up sweet gifting sets, chatted all things botanicals + plants and before we knew it... the most incredible market weekend came to an end. Even after all of the long nights, early mornings + heavy lifting, we would do it all over again! We packed up the moving van once again, this time a little lighter. I took a moment in the empty convention centre with a smile stretched from ear to ear. The past weekend had been one for the books and we can hardly wait to do it all over again at The Spring HandMade Market in June 2023!

Markets like these truly take a community to build - thank you to all of our friends and family for the countless hours of prep work, our customers who popped by to chat + purchase their favourites goods, and of course Jennifer, Mark + the entire HMM team for making this market (and all HandMade Markets) such a huge success. Grateful for each + every one of you, thank you for making our 10th HandMade Market a memorable one!