Kids Makers Market returns to Bombyx on May 9 with bevy of items

The Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity
Republican file photo

NORTHAMPTON — Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity will host the return of its Kids Makers Market on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring another showcase of over 40 kid vendors selling handmade items, including jewelry, art, food, crafts and books.

Started in 2022 by Rose Bookbinder, the Kids Makers Market has grown rapidly from its beginnings at Little Roots Studio in Florence before moving to Bombyx and becoming a staple in the region as a space for child creativity.

Vendors between the ages of 6 and 18 years old will sell their products at the market, which have historically included notebooks, baked goods, decorations, soaps and lotions, and artwork, all carefully crafted by community area kids.

Bookbinder told Reminder Publishing that the market was born out of the pandemic as an effort to create a space for children to get creative alongside one another.

“Myself and a number of other families were trying to figure out a way to keep the kids creative and off the screens and thinking about ways to connect with the community and share the art they’re making,” said Bookbinder. “I kind of just put out the word and very quickly, more people than I ever expected were like, ‘oh we’d love to have our kids in the makers market.’”

The event will once again take place in the Peacock Room at Bombyx Center, which is located at 130 Pine St. in Florence, and will feature a mix of market vets and new vendors. The vendor list is currently full, but makers can be added to the waitlist by emailing hello@bombyx.live.

Bookbinder said Bombyx is the anchor for the event, which is why she is happy to support them. She added that in politically trying times, communities coming together through the arts can uplift overall morale and serve as a reminder of the importance of companionship.

“When we are able to come together, even in this way as a community and lift up creative arts, especially when there’s a tax at the federal level around funding these things. If we just continue to anchor them in our own communities and show that when we come together, we can do beautiful things together, then that’s just one way in helping to build a community and world that we can believe in, which should always include arts and culture,” said Bookbinder. “That’s what’s important in lifting up and keeping that thread going throughout our work.”

The market’s impact on the children has been great, according to Bookbinder, who said the exposure illustrates what is possible through art and community at any age.

“I think they feel so proud to share what they’ve made, and a lot of them actually do sell their products, so they’re able to see that there’s value and worth in what they’re doing, especially in the arts field. For my kids, they do it together, so it’s a nice, shared time for sisters and then also for me as a parent,” said Bookbinder. “Just looking around at all the cool things people have made can help inspire more creativity, I think, too. There’s such a range in age too, so that’s also inspiring, I think, for themselves to see how this work can progress as they keep going.”

Bookbinder added that the Kids Makers Market is also a great opportunity for young people to engage with and become familiar with Bombyx, because the center has uplifted the community through its function as a historic gathering place founded by abolitionists who championed anti-slavery, gender equity and religious tolerance.

“This nonprofit organization that’s bringing arts to our community is just invaluable, and the fact that they stepped up and were willing to take the lead on this is really wonderful and shows what an important institution they are,” said Bookbinder.

In addition to the makers market, High Five Books will host Tracey West, author of the bestselling “Dragon Masters” early reader series, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Sanctuary inside the center. West will read from her new book, share how she creates new dragons and sign copies of her new work. Tickets are still available at bombyx.live.

Wake the Dead Donuts will be onsite offering its coffee and mini donuts for attendees. For more information on the upcoming May 9 Kids Makers Market at Bombyx Center, visit bombyx.live.

“We just hope that folks will come out and spread the word, and if your kid’s interested next time, reach out to Bombyx and get on the list for joining us,” said Bookbinder.