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The holiday season is upon us again, and for most of us that means finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Our local business owners are an endless source of creative and unique products that your friends and family will love! Shopping local is even more convenient this year with the Holiday Maker’s Market, featuring 23 local vendors in one place. This free event will be held at the Lacey MakerSpace on the Saint Martin’s University campus on December 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the support of the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB). Prizes, refreshments, activities, and more await shoppers as they explore our finest local vendors from Thurston County and beyond!
This first annual event is a great way to connect with new entrepreneurs and fulfill each Christmas wish. With 23 vendors from along the I-5 corridor, there will be plenty of wonderful choices to get your holiday shopping done.
In addition to the many exciting startups being featured, there will be some creative activities so the whole family can experience the Lacey MakerSpace’s premier equipment. The crafts table will feature a laser cutting craft where young makers can make their very own themed puzzle pieces to paint and take home for the holidays.
Educational opportunities will be provided throughout the day so visitors can learn more about the value in the Lacey MakerSpace and explore opportunities to pursue their own creative interests. “There are so many different things you can do here, and our space can help entrepreneurs of all kinds,” shares Lacey MakerSpace Executive Director Michelle Pope. No matter your background, there is a little something for everyone at the Lacey MakerSpace.
Visitors will also have a chance to participate in a raffle with a range of prizes, including a locally curated vendor basket featuring raw honey, sauerkraut, crystals, soap, lotion, jewelry and more! The Lacey MakerSpace will also be contributing the gift of a 3-month membership for potential makers to get involved with the space creatively.
As a small-knit community, every opportunity to support each other makes a huge impact. Michelle and the WCWB Program Manager Naomi Sky both recognize how powerful it is to shop local and promote our community makers. The Holiday Maker’s Market is the perfect combination of convenience, fun, and community by drawing in surrounding vendors and giving them a space to connect with local shoppers.
“I was inspired to do this by our Pop-Up Shop from our Quick Start-Up incubator,” shares Naomi. “Enabling our small business owners to realize that things aren’t as out of their reach as they think is our primary focus, so we are working to break down barriers and make resources more accessible.”
Thanks to the granted scholarships from the City of Olympia, local business owners are able to participate in the Quick Start-Up program to take advantage of industry-leading support and promotional opportunities like the Holiday Maker’s Market. Three of the graduates from the most recent cohort will be featuring their products at the event, giving them the means to showcase their products to their local community.
The Lacey MakerSpace is on a similar mission by promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, which makes their partnership with the WCWB very natural and impactful. Located on the beautiful Saint Martin’s University campus, the Lacey MakerSpace is a central hub for creatives and makers to come together. Women makers are specifically close to Michelle’s heart, so she is thrilled to see female entrepreneurs participating in the Holiday Maker’s Market. “I want to see that ceiling broken and promote women and other marginalized communities so they can see that everyone can be a maker,” shares Michelle. “You never know what is possible if you do things yourself.”
The Lacey MakerSpace prides itself on a variety of educational opportunities to support new and experienced makers pursuing their dreams, and with the resources available through the WCWB, creators can get essential services to scale up their business and find success.
This innovative partnership between the Lacey MakerSpace and WCWB truly highlights the emphasis on economic growth in our local community. Our neighbors are aspiring to create something wonderful to share with the world, and through the support of these two amazing local organizations, this dream can quickly become a reality. By attending the Holiday Maker’s Market, you too can be a part of the change and opportunity awaiting our local entrepreneurs as they embark on their journey of business ownership.
Stop by the event to share in the holiday joy and support our local creators. Parking will be designated in the Lacey MakerSpace and neighboring parking lots, so there will be plenty of space for everyone to come enjoy the festivities. Your family and friends will love the hand-crafted, inspiring gifts you find here at the Holiday Maker’s Market!
Holiday Makers Market 2022
December 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lacey MakerSpace
Saint Martin’s University Campus
Zaverl Hall, Building 5
Baran Drive SE, Lacey
360.339.4205
