San Martians had the opportunity to shop handmade local art Nov. 21 at the third annual Hecho a Mano Mercado Artesano artisan market.
Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos hosted the market on Lee Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which gave attendees the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts all day.
Gloria Salazar, event coordinator, said the occasion is the perfect way for artists to showcase their works while attendees enjoy the shopping.
“For a lot of the vendors, this is just their hobby.” Salazar said. “This way they can present it to others and the community has a chance to gain some unique purchases.”
Salazar said the most common feedback from attendees is the uniqueness they find in the vendors items.
“It’s different,” Salazar said. “That’s what we hear the most, it’s just one-of-a-kind products and we also have a lot of Christmas decorations you could give as gifts.”
Carmen Hill-Martinez, San Marcos resident, enjoys the market because the items she buys can’t be bought anywhere else.
“You can’t really find this in just a random store,” Hill-Martinez said. “They’re handmade jewelry and so much other cool stuff that it is really crazy to think somebody handmade it and now you get a chance to buy it.”
Hill-Martinez said hours of work go into the pieces created for the market.
“You get blown away,” Hill-Martinez said. “Hearing how much effort some of these people put into their products is really cool. You get a backstory behind what you’re buying.”
The broad variety of items being sold at the market means something is there for everyone, Hill-Martinez said.
“I think anybody could stroll through and find something,” Hill-Martinez said. “There’s just a variety of things, and a lot of it is just so beautiful and interesting while also highlighting Mexican culture.”
The artisan market also featured a shop for children, which allowed them to purchase items for a dollar or less, Salazar said.
“They get a chance to buy stuff too, and we have little gift wraps they can take with them and open on Christmas day,” Salazar said.
Ana Zuniga, San Marcos resident, said the children part of the market made the event more fun for families.
“They looked like little adults picking up and inspecting things,” Zuniga said. “I’m glad it was a part of the sale that way I didn’t have to be rushed out of here.”
Salazar said the variety of vendors the market offers is what allows it to work so well.
“We have local and out of town vendors who come to display their art all day long,” Salazar said. “We have a man who sells these amazing rugs, a woman with handmade chocolate, just so many things.”
Judith Ale, Austin resident, said the market provides an opportunity to sell her own work while also becoming familiar with other vendors in the area.
“Talking to others who are selling here is fun,” Ale said. “We kind of have this common understanding and communication and seeing what others brought is really interesting.”
Lionel Cavos, San Antonio resident, said he was able to find gift items for his close family and friends for the upcoming holiday season.
“It’s really affordable,” Cavos said. “I was able to get a lot of things that I know will make a unique gift for my wife and even for some of my friends. I’ll be giving them a more interesting Christmas present this year.”