The Stonewall farmers market season kicks off this May with the Main Street Market Mother’s Day Farmers Market. On Friday, May 8, from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a variety of artisans will gather at 407 Main St., beside Stonewall Florists.
Morales sells hand-beaded jewellery and handmade bags
According to market assistant lead Tami Couch, guests can expect to find a number of handmade products unique to markets and not available in stores. She said markets like these give local makers a chance to shine in a community setting.
“Supporting local artists gives the community a chance to see what great talent we have to offer,” she said. “It’s important for the community to come out and talk to the artisans, have a great day socializing and find something new they’ve never seen before.”
Lydia Morales, owner of Biulu Artisan Boutique, is a vendor at the Mother’s Day Farmers Market. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and now residing in Stonewall, she sells hand-beaded jewellery and handmade bags.
“I been creating since I have memory,” she said. “Creating artisan items is part of my family culture — from my dad’s side, the Zapotecs in Oaxaca, Mexico, and my mom’s side, the Huicholes or Wixarika, located in the state of Nayarit, Mexico.”
She began selling her products in 2014 and continued her business after moving to Canada last year. Inspired by her Indigenous background, she said art is rooted in her family heritage.
She explained she started her business to give herself a reason to create and share art with others, but over the years it has transformed into something far more powerful.
“Eventually seeing how much it affected other parts of life, such as bringing people together, supporting other Indigenous people — especially those with very little opportunity — and sharing and preserving our culture added another huge layer of inspiration,” she said. “I love connecting with people — including other vendors — in all the different ways that a handmade product can bridge. When having these interactions, some people tend to share their own cultural or artistic side or interests, and we can connect and relate on a deeper level as human beings.”
Morales designs each product with care, using a variety of materials such as glass beads, nylon thread, fabric, wicker and wood. She offers designs people of all ages can enjoy, including products for those looking to make a bold statement or something more subtle.
She explained each product is curated with her own creativity, often starting with a sketch before bringing her vision to life.
“Our uniqueness comes from continuing the creation of new designs, our roots from another country that add new styles, colours and symbolisms,” she added. “Most of my knowledge comes from my family and communities where I grew through trial and error. It’s part of the process when learning, wherever it comes from — it’s part of mastering the craft.”
She accepts custom and bulk orders, and interested customers can email biuluartisanboutique@gmail.com for more information. Her products can also be purchased through Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/biuluartisanboutique, with more images available on Instagram at @BiuluArtisanBoutique.
To her, local residents supporting local makers is what helps small shops thrive.
“Supporting local sellers supports our local economy in one way or another. Supporting local gives families the opportunity to keep going. It motivates people to keep moving and creating, and to keep connecting with each other — it’s a powerful resource for our future generations,” she said. “Muchas gracias. Supporting local is one of the most valuable things we can create and maintain as a society.”
Visit Morales’ table and more at the Main Street Market Mother’s Day Market. Admission is free and, “there will be music, food, laughter and friendship,” Couch added.
