The MG Road Flea, at 19 Wall St., welcomes spring with a monthly market showcasing local creatives looking to sell their work. Local photographer Torii Bridges takes advantage of her free time by creating wall decor from branches and hand-dyed wool. You can find more of her products @thelivingwall on Instagram.
Inside, we found others who sold items ranging from photography prints to homegrown plants.
MG Road, a downtown Asheville bar, feels like dance wonderland decorated with red chili lights. House-made cocktails get you feeling groovy on Saturday nights but, for this daylight-hours event, bartenders Stephen and Lexy were very welcoming and there were homemade empanadas and free coffee. It was a very relaxed feeling, watching each artist absorb the experience — not necessarily expecting anyone to make a purchase, but feeling pride in all they had put out for the world to see.
“Being someone who crafts and makes jewelry primarily as a hobby and not as a money making endeavor, this was a great way to showcase both artists and vendors who do not have the means to pay a large vendor’s fee at craft shows and other artistic showcases,” says Sydney Roberts. “For me personally, it pushed me to really dive into my craft of jewelry making, which I hadn’t taken the personal time to do in over a year. Given the affordability of participating as a vendor … this allowed me to really enjoy the opportunity and shared artistic space of MG Flea rather than placing a lot of pressure on the profitability and sales.”
The two vendors, above, were selling vintage shoes and accessories — some of the later were handmade as well as second-hand. Their intricate pieces were eye-catching and elegantly modest. Their sweet souls glistened with gratitude as any human came to learn more about their collection. You can also find more on their Instagram page, @clairemadubois.
The MG Flea hosted both up-and-coming and well-known artists. That is what’s coolest to me: a place that brings in people I don’t normally get to the chance to connect with. It feels good to know more humans are out there taking the time to give their creative energies momentum in my own city and that genuine love is being spread in all sorts of directions.
Local business White Moon started off as an all natural juice bar and is expanding with an upcoming apothecary. The picture above samples a few of their newer products, which you can buy on their website once it is up and running.
The jars, top right, are filled with epsom salts, flowers and herbs. They are scented with lemon and lavender. The mixtures can be put into a little baggy, which are meant to be added to a bath. Find these and other goods @whitemoonapothecary, also on Instagram.
If you are a local artist, crafter or seller of vintage items and would like to be a vendor, email info@mgroadlounge.com. The MG Flea happens on the last Sunday of every month.
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