The Murphy Arts District held its annual Holiday Market Saturday, bringing El Dorado residents to the MAD complex to do some holiday shopping.
“It’s going really well. We had a great turnout this morning,” said Elizabeth Young, director of MAD Farm and Sustainable Initiatives.
This was the second-annual Holiday Market at MAD, and this year’s event was about double the size of last year’s, with 25 vendors altogether.
Granny Dalton was there for the second year, she said, selling crocheted Afghans, handmade quilts and other knit goods. She said she works with her daughter, Krystal Whitecloud, to make the items.
“I’ve got two daughters and they both make things. I taught them,” she said.
Whitecloud shared a booth with her mother, selling turquoise and silver Native American jewelry and knit goods. She said they are part of the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes.
“I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. Me and my dad used to have a little road side store called Cherokee Crafts in Texas," she said. “Being Native American, you’re taught to do these things – it’s handed down generation to generation. There were no stores, so you had to make it; if you didn’t make it, you didn’t have it.”
James and Cindy Lindsay, recent El Dorado transplants from Houston said they were happy to see local gifting options here.
“We just wanted to see what’s changed at the market and see if we can find gifts for our families,” James Lindsay said.
“And support local vendors,” Cindy Lindsay added, showing off some homemade jellies and syrup they’d purchased earlier in the morning.
Erin Senn was vending at the market for the first time with her husband, Webster. Erin makes handmade baby items and candies, while her husband sells handmade wood working. She said they hope to continue being vendors at the Market.
“We like it,” Erin Senn said. “It’s been fun, cold.”
Angela Sewell attends the summer farmers market and said she hoped to find gifts at the holiday market.
“I always enjoy the Farmers Market,” she said. “Today I’m looking for Christmas stuff.”
This year’s market was so large it had to be extended to fill the lower pavilion at the MAD Amphitheater as well as the usual upper pavilion. Vendors from around Union County and south Arkansas were in attendance selling everything from metalcraft to woodworking, from baked goods to hot coffee, soaps, plants and jams and jellies of all kinds, among other items.
“I think the most fun thing is seeing how creative our vendors can get,” Young said. “Customers love it. They’ve absolutely loved the variety of options and knowing that the gifts they give, they may even know the person who made it.”
Katie Murphy, Tricia Vail and Amy Avery traveled from Crossett to sell their crafts, which included jewelry and coffee cups from their respective stores, Gram’s Gifts and KK’s Designs. This was their first year to try selling their handmade goods.
“I love the set up,” Vail said. “It’s really nice.”
Young said hundreds of people had visited the market by noon Saturday. For those who missed out on the market, vendors can be found at facebook.com/farmersmarketatMAD.
“I just really want to highlight that we’re supporting our friends and farm vendors and how creative they get in the winter,” Young said. “Local gift baskets are the way to go this season.”
The MAD Farmers Market will re-open in the spring. To learn more, visit eldomad.com or the Farmers Market at MAD Facebook page.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].