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Heading to the New Mexico Artisan Market? Here's what you need to know
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The New Mexico Artisan Market is opening its doors in Old Town on Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, featuring works from over 100 local artisans.
Raquel Chambers, the executive director of the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation, said the New Mexico Artisan Market is a staple event that helps artists feel supported.
“If we can promote people to shop local and avoid these other big brand-name shops, that’s something that is so unique to our state,” Chambers said, “and it really sets us outside of all these other big cities, and we get to remain the state that celebrates true local art.”
Patrick Falance, began crafting with leather during the pandemic under the name Big Head Leather. He now has a storefront in ABQ Collective and sells pieces at Albuquerque International Sunport.
He said he is inspired by the colors of New Mexico, like the red and yellow on the state flag, and turquoise for the state stone.
“We’ve had somebody describe them as aggressively New Mexican before, and I love it,” Falance said.
He has also been inspired by colors found in the bosque.
Many participating in the artisan market pull from New Mexico’s natural beauty, like Elizabeth Beier, who created an oracle deck — a set of cards used for divination, introspection or guidance — inspired by Southwestern nature.
She said customers like her paintings because of the recognizable nature scenes. Beier was drawn to outdoor scenes after her father died and she turned to art for solace.
“I found going out into New Mexico, going on adventures outside, going to different types of cliffs and parks and drives very restorative,” Beier said. “It just wasn’t clicking for me to try to do things on screens anymore. I just really had to do something tactile.”
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Beier has a sign hanging over her booth, “Gifts for Witches,” to draw in those looking for some magic.
Falance said he enjoys participating in markets because he sees past customers who show him leather pieces they have bought that have wear and tear.
“What really drives me is when I see somebody that has been using my product every day. It has scratches and customizations that they do, that I get to see,” Falance said, “and it’s like, wow, this is a part of your everyday life, and I made it, and you enjoy it. And that’s what I get the most enjoyment out of.”
