Discover Venice 2023-2024
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Café Evergreen and beside Rum Runners. It opens at 9:30 and closes at 3 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to come out and find their favorite artists and crafters while listening to Joey Orchulli ("Joey O") play his guitar and sing. Event organizers say, "This is the perfect event to shop for yourself for your home and garden, to buy gifts for family and friends for the upcoming holiday season, to treat yourself to great jewelry, soaps and candles and pottery," according to the Cottage Art Gallery website (thecottageinnokomis.com). Other items of interest include handmade bags, turned wood, photography, yard art and glass. Joni Brandt, Michigan native and owner of adjoining Hot Chic Hot Glass since 2017, says, "The market is a great place to come and peruse, to spend the afternoon. I think there is something for everybody. My favorite part is the Tidewell clowns. I enjoy spending the day getting to meet other artists and getting to find out what kind of art other people enjoy." Everything sold is 80 percent made by the vendors. Like the market, Light's gallery displays the work of other artisans. "It's all very unique," Light said. "It's very upbeat. What you'll find in the Cottage Gallery is all pretty feelgood. There's nothing really heavy and serious in here. And it's all very well done. "That carries on, out to the market, so (come here) if you want really unique jewelry – one-of- a-kind – if you want handmade bags that are good, that last for a while, and the prices are really good. I think that we are probably less expensive than a lot of other galleries and gift shops in the area." Cottage Art Gallery will be open for business during the market, as will Rum Runners Antiques and the Hot Chic Hot Glass Studio. Café Evergreen and Captain Eddie's Seafood Restaurant are nearby. "It's a lovely little environment," Light said, adding that some vendors come every year, saying this is their most-successful market. "We've gotten a good little reputation. It's not as huge as the downtown Venice (market) because we don't have that kind of traffic. So it's less congested. It's high- quality work. It's very diverse." With approximately 30 artists, Light said, they are at capacity, but since markets are held monthly, she'd welcome interest from other artists. If you strike up a conversation with Light, you might find your visage on one of the bookmarks she makes. For more information, send an email to judi@lighttouchart.com or text Light at 360-961-3048. PHOTO BY ED SCOTT Delores Maliepaard of Dee's DeeZigns features homemade crossbody bags, tote bags and microwave bowl cozies. She has a booth at the Nokomis Art & Craft Market. 06 Discover Venice