Omg guys we put on a market
For some background on why Club Rambutan decided to take the bold, risky, inspired step to put on a market….
Last cohort (Cohort 2), one of our clothing stylists Katherine Morales gave us insight on her experience being a thrift vendor in the Phoenix community and talked to us about this idea of doing an all women’s market. Our event coordinator, Sam, met with Katherine where she was able to verbalize her feelings and frustrations with previous markets, especially when it was male dominated. After that, we decided that we wanted to plan a local market prioritizing and centering women and femme vendors in Phoenix.
As for my part in this whole thing, I arrived at Studio Wilson super early because my roommate was volunteering to help set up and we wanted to take the lightrail together. We just love public transit like that. Here’s some behind the scenes of event set-up.
Since I was there so early and had so much spare time, I went around and interviewed a few of the vendors that caught my eye. See below for rapid fire interviews with some of the amazing vendors I got to meet!
Serena - @ribbonsteahouse
RIbbon’s Teahouse is a Filipino owned family business in Litchfield Park. They specialize in loose leaf tea, and are known for their pastries. By known for their pastries, I mean that my roommate drives 45 minutes to get cake and goes, “Man, I love Ribbon’s!”
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
I’ve been following Club Rambutan for some time now, and have a lot of mutuals who were involved. My family owns and runs Ribbon’s Teahouse in Litchfield Park.
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
We usually sell at farmer’s markets, and have a food truck instead of a table. This is our first time vending in a booth though. We’re the only boba shop here, so that’s different!
What’s important about an inclusive space to you?
I love the community that was fostered in Club Rambutan, and that it started initially with a focus on AAPI. Philippines mentioned!
How has your experience been so far?
Everyone has been so nice, and it’s amazing that the community showed up! We’ve been getting a lot of asians (laughs).
Priyanka - Makin STuff Labs - @priyankasomething / @makinstuff.online
A book that Priyanka illustrated for her mother.
Priyanka’s booth was one of the more unique booths there and I wish I had been able to chat longer! She’s a computer engineer, educator and multidisciplinary artist. For the market, she had dozens of laser cut hairclips and keychains, and gave me one for f*ee. Check out more of her work here.
How did you hear about this event? What made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
I know Percy (our ——), who reposted the vendor application on his story. I grew up in Phoenix, but am new to this area, so I thought this would be a great way to get to know people.
Is this your first time vending?
This is my first craft fair! I’ve sold artwork and books together in the past, but not in a setup like this. It’s been really fun so far.
CR specifically wanted to put on an all women/femme/inclusive market to prioritize these vendors in typically male dominated spaces. What’s important about an inclusive space to you?
I am excited for an all femme market since so many of these spaces are white male dominated!
Kathy - @mujerezretro
Kathy is actually the person who inspired the market event! I didn’t realize when I was interviewing her or I would have asked less boilerplate questions.
How did you hear about this event? What made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
I’m actually friends with Jasmin (creative director) and helped out with the last magazine.
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
I’ve been vending for three years. I used to thrift a lot, loved going to flea markets, and eventually thought, “Wait, I can do this myself!”
How’d you get started doing this? What makes you decide to do it again?
I love the way people react when they find something they love, and seeing their personal style. Everyone always comes to these things dressed so well. I also love seeing the other vendors, how they set up their booths and how they style themselves.
CR specifically wanted to put on an all women/femme/inclusive market to prioritize these vendors in typically male dominated spaces. How has your experience been so far?
I like it, it’s been great seeing women coming together to carve out a space for a creative market. A lot of the other markets I’ve been to have been very male dominated, like Pickers Playground or Ivory House. As for how everything’s going, people have been big fans of the lingerie wall.
Courtney - @courtneysbakehouse
I got the Cheddar Jalapeno sourdough loaf. REALLY good. HIGHLY recommend.
How did you hear about this event? What made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
Club Rambutan reached out to me and asked if I wanted to apply to their market, and I said yes!
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
I just did my first market 2 weeks ago, the Thems Market. I get nervous when it comes to food, but I sold out of everything! I got really excited and decided that I wanted to continue doing markets.
How’d you get started doing this? What makes you decide to do it again?
At the beginning of the year, I decided I didn’t want to buy bread anymore and I could do it myself. There’s not enough bread in the queer community (laughs). I started my business a couple months ago and it’s been great. Bread is very community forward, and I love seeing the people in my community enjoy what I make.
CR specifically wanted to put on an all women/femme/inclusive market to prioritize these vendors in typically male dominated spaces. What’s important about an inclusive space to you?
I would say Phoenix is a pretty progressive city. However, it’s more like pockets of community that could use more people. We would be better together. These markets give people the opportunity to connect with others like them and build connections
How has your experience been so far? (After this question I bought a loaf of bread)
Almost sold out of the cinnamon rolls. It’s going great.
Lydia & Al - @lyd.alduin
How did you hear about this event? What made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
We saw it on Instagram and were like, “Let’s try a local market!”
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
We’ve done a lot of markets at anime conventions, comic conventions, etc.
How’d you get started doing this? What makes you decide to do it again?
It’s really nice to have everything handmade and see people that love our work. It makes us feel like what we are doing is meaningful. Also, love seeing people’s smiles!
What’s important about an inclusive space to you?
The idea of being able to be welcome and included in a place is really appealing. We’re a queer couple that wants to make a living off of art, and it’s cool to not be the odd ones out. Sometimes at bigger conventions, or more stereotypical conventions, we get some funny glances, so it’s nice to have a safe space.
CHarlotte - @charlotteyiu.art
How did you hear about this event? What lol made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
Club Rambutan reached out to me! I thought the vibe was good so I applied.
Is this your first time vending? Have you done this before?
No, I typically vend at Phoenix Flea and other markets. It’s basically my full time job, I do this year round.
How’d you get started doing this? What makes you decide to do it again?
I went to art school in Florida and I didn’t know what to do with my degree.
CR specifically wanted to put on an all women/femme/inclusive market to prioritize these vendors in typically male dominated spaces. What’s important about an inclusive space to you?
I vended at a different market this morning, Saturday morning, and I had a lot of people ask stupid questions. People will say, “I love Japanese art!” I’m not Japanese. An inclusive space has the right audience, people who come to this market are interested in independent artists and are overall more informed.
Dyanne - @flygirlsvintage
How did you hear about this event? What made you decide to apply to be a vendor?
I saw it on Kathy’s story and I wanted to bring back the shop! I haven’t been a vendor at a market in a year or so. I missed the environment of a market, to be honest. I love getting to meet people, and I work from home, so I’m pretty isolated.
How’d you initially get started? Why’d you stop?
I started Fly Girls Vintage with my friend who was training to be a pilot while I was a flight attendant. We would take trips, free because of flight benefits, and thrift wherever we went. I haven’t been able to go thrifting as often, and my friend moved away, which is why we took a break for a year or so.
CR specifically wanted to put on an all women/femme/inclusive market to prioritize these vendors in typically male dominated spaces. What’s important about an inclusive space to you? How has up ur experience been so far?
I love the girls supporting girls vibe. I’m sure many people have said this, but the markets are so male dominated. I do this for fun, and it’s been great getting to meet people. I really like everyone I’ve met so far. It’s a great community.
ENd of rapid fire interviews
If you made it this far, here’s a photo of Jasmin holding up Ed Hardy socks.
Jasmin holding up Ed Hardy socks at the Waste World booth. I used the zoom feature…that’s why the quality is so bad.
