On Nov. 8-9, Jonesborough will be hosting the Made Around Here Market, a craft show that has been a tradition for the town for almost 40 years. The market will feature homemade crafts such as pottery, woodwork, tin art, silk and jewelry.
Tami Moore, a resident of Jonesborough for 28 years, will be a vendor at the market as part of her French at Heart jewelry business. She said that the area has become more receptive to local artists and makers.
“I think Jonesborough has grown a lot and more and more people are finding out about it, and we have a lot of very nice handmade items available,” Moore said. “Not just people who do the show, but people who live in the area. I think we are seeing more and more support of local people purchasing handmade items versus going to the mall.”
This appeal of supporting local business and purchasing special items for the holidays plays a major role in the market, according to Jonesborough Tourism Director Cameo Waters.
“It is a great chance for me to go ahead and buy some gifts. Plus it is something that no one else in my family will buy because it is all handmade, and it is very unique,” Waters said. “You know, I am in Jonesborough, the storytelling capital of the world, so I like being able to have a story to attach to that gift when I give it to somebody for Christmas.”
There will also be a variety of food options, including Auntie Ruth’s donuts and pretzels. The Jonesborough Farmer’s Market will be open during the same time for visitors to check out.
“On Saturday morning, the Boone Street Market will also have the Farmer’s Market going,” Waters said. “It will encourage folks to go down there and see the Farmer’s Market, which will be out in front of their store, and go ahead and trickle on downtown and grab lunch at one of the restaurants and do so more shopping down there.”
Waters said that this year’s market will be their biggest yet due to the higher demand of vendors wanting to be a part of it, featuring local vendors and others from the surrounding area like Virginia and North Carolina. Waters’ favorite part about the market is that everything is handmade.
“You walk up to the booth, and you meet that crafter right there,” Waters said. “They spent their time and energy and hard-earned money to make the product and has a lot more meaning to it. You are meeting the person that created that piece with their hand.”
The Made Around Here Market will be held inside the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is free, and donations will be accepted to go toward childrens’ Christmas events in Jonesborough this December.
