Shipwreck Beads is looking forward to hosting their 3rd Annual Artisan Market on Saturday, August 8, 2015. Their parking lot will soon be sprawling with over 70 vendors selling homemade goods. Shipwreck Beads is well known for having the world's largest selection of beads, which has actually been verified by Google. Their 22,000-square-foot show room is enough to take your breath away when walking through their doors for the first time. Hosting this market is their way of giving back to their loyal customers.

"We give them a venue and use our advertising power to bring in the customers," said Pat Simmons, General Manager of Shipwreck Beads. The Artisan Market is a handcraft version of a farmers market, where vendors sell anything from homemade soap, wind chimes, stained glass and even sculptures. "It's a great way to not only give back to our customers but also to give back to the community," said Simmons.

When the Artisan Market first began, it started as a trunk show as a way to showcase customers' work. From there, it took on a life of its own and has expanded. Simmons explains that beads are used in more crafts and hobbies than just making jewelry. "Beads are used in such a variety of crafts, it just blows me away," he said. Shipwreck Beads hosts the market twice a year. The second market takes place on Small Business Saturday in November, the day after Black Friday. The event is hosted indoors among the 80,000 square feet of Shipwreck Beads with nearly 90 different vendors on that day.

Shipwreck Beads encourages everyone to come experience the Artisan Market. The market embraces that tight knit community feel that is embraced by everyone who lives in the South Sound. "It really is about supporting the community and small businesses," said Simmons. "There is a little bit of everything." There will be food cart vendors as well as craft spirits available among the colorful tents housing homemade goods. During the Artisan Market, Shipwreck Beads will be collecting nonperishable food items to be donated to the Thurston County Food Bank. Those who donate will be entered to win gift cards to Shipwreck Beads, among other prizes.

The Artisan Market is the perfect, local place to go to find a unique gift, experience local atmosphere, and perhaps discover a new hobby. Whatever you find at the Artisan Market, you already know that it was made with love.

Shipwreck Beads is located at 8560 Commerce Place Drive in Lacey. For more information, call 360.754.2323.