We're wishing we could hit this year's Rock and Shop Market down in Raleigh, but since we can't we thought we'd share a little behind the scenes from creator Michelle Smith. If you live in the triangle area, the market is tomorrow—so make sure you go! (And be sure to drop us a line to let us know how it was!)

(photo by Marie Cox)

What made you decide to start the market? I started the Market in 2004 as a way to spotlight the great local designers in this area, at the time there was nothing like it here. I wanted to bring some of the hipness of similar events like The Renegade Craft Fair and Feria Urbana in San Francisco to North Carolina. There is so much creativity bubbling just below the surface here in North Carolina and the Triangle area in particular. I really wanted to spotlight that and help create a culture that fosters emerging designers. What’s your favorite aspect of the event? I love meeting the designers in person and  getting to know the person that created the product that I am buying. I also enjoy that I am keeping dollars in my community and I love hearing the awesome bands that perform at the event - I'm a mom so I have less time these days to go out to shows in the evening, here, the bands perform in the afternoon and I can get some shopping in too!

How do you select the vendors and bands? The vendors are chosen based on many factors, but most of all, they are chosen based on how well-crafted and unique their items are (to say that we get a lot of jewelry applicants is an understatement), and how well they will appeal to our audience. Grandma's crafty Santa dolls won't cut it! Good photos and a unique product go a long way. As far as bands, there are so many great local bands in this area, it's a pleasure to feature them at the event and it's hard only picking two!

(wall hanging by Alena Hennessy)

Who are some vendors you are most excited to see? I always love seeing Alena Hennessy's work (shown above). Her products are eco-friendly (her shirts are organic, and her fabric wall hangings are printed on organic fabric) and feature beautiful nature motifs. Lily Booth, of ShopLuella, makes really unique enameled jewelry (shown below) that is stunning, and AC Bowman's stationery (below, just in time for Father's Day) is handsome and fun.

(earrings by ShopLuella)

(stationery by AC Bowman)

What do you think sets the craft/design scene in the triangle area apart from the rest of the country? This area is experiencing a resurgance in it's Downtown and with it comes a lot of upstarts and opportunity. I think people here are very willing to collaborate and try new things, whether that is through collaborative pieces like Holly Aiken's cahoots project where local artists create artwork to grace her signature vinyl bags, or the window display project that I am facilitating where I get local artists to create installations in empty storefronts downtown. There is a lot of momentum here and it is fun to be involved in.

(bags from Holly Aiken's cahoots)

Any suggestions for newbie market-goers? Grab a beer at the bar, listen to some awesome bands—Bright Young Things & Wembley (shown below) are both really good (more from them here)—and shop the air conditioned indoor aisles filled with hip products made from emerging designers. Many designers take credit cards, but not all, so definitely bring cash.

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