The market hosted a craft-filled event in celebration of Cupid’s holiday
By DEVANSHI AGNIHOTRI —- arts@theaggie.org
Precious crochet animals smile at you and beads sparkle as you make your way down 3rd and B Street. The Davis Street Market’s Valentine’s Day Show was held on Feb. 8, with the street filled with vendors selling an assortment of handmade products and some having Valentine’s Day-themed items.
The Davis Street Market has been a place for people to slow down their walk to the Davis Farmers Market or through downtown, and the vendors have worked to maintain the market as a community for everyone.
Rachel Jenson, the owner of Vivid Customz and a moderator of the Davis Street Market, has strings of beads up to nine-feet long on display. She has been a vendor for a little over three years and previously sold paintings but now sells waist beads, anklets, bracelets and stickers.
For Jenson and many vendors, the items they sell trace back to their own shopping experience and their desire to give shoppers an authentic as well as ethical product.
“I was selling because I wanted others to feel how my beads made me feel,” Jenson said. “I have always had a tough relationship with my body, then I started wearing waist beads and anklets, and I learned to love myself. Now, people tell me they feel that way too. I also try to keep a very inviting vibe at my booth. My beads are for anybody — anybody.”
Jenson emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable experience for customers, which, as the show is open to the public, adds to the event’s welcoming setting.
The Davis Street Market has grown in popularity through the years, with the number of vendors increasing to roughly 60 in the spring, according to Jenson.
“I have watched many students come and go through the years, and it’s awesome to see the community growing to now 50 to 60 vendors in the springtime,” Jenson said.
Another vendor, Trinh Giang, is owner of @whatstrinhmaking and creates clay magnets, pins and trinkets. Giang has been a vendor for about two years but started selling handmade items about two months ago.
Despite multiple vendors not selling specific Valentine’s Day-themed items, supportive energy and love was still in the air.
“It makes me extremely happy to know that my supporters can see my creations and think of specific people in their lives that would appreciate both the product itself and the sentiment of thinking of those you love,” Giang said.
The market has become such an integral part of the community, as well as a creative outlet. Giang mentioned not having many creative outlets growing up but said the Davis Street Market has brought out their creativity after they initially began their artwork.
“I decided to sell my craft, because I knew Davis was full of people similar to me who love to spend money on a silly, little trinket,” Giang said. “I was inspired to join the market because of how accessible it was. It is truly the perfect opportunity for beginning artists since the space is free and most vendors are in similar positions of sharing their craft amongst the busyness of their full-time jobs or education.”
If you missed the Valentine’s Day Show, the Davis Street Market is open for local art on Saturdays and vintage clothing on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, make sure to bring your friends and take in all the art the market has to offer.
Written by: Devanshi Agnihotri—arts@theaggie.org
