New local crafters market growing in Saratoga Springs

PHOTOGRAPHER: Lee Coleman

Business is on a gradual climb at the new Saratoga Artisan and Crafters Market, according to its vendors, who now number 53.

“Business has been good. We are waiting for the word to get out,” said Marianne “Frenchy” Loeb, market organizer. The first Artisan and Crafters Market was held in June. They’ll be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 27. Offerings include jewelry, pottery, framed photography, block printed children’s clothing, handmade scarves, hand-crafted wooden furniture, and handbags.

While people shopped Thursday afternoon, singer-songwriter Deena Chappell sang and played her guitar.

Jean Aldous of Porter Corners in Greenfield said she and her husband, Bill Aldous, have sold their wood craft items every week of the market.

“We see a lot of local people. They come down here and buy local,” she said. Some customers come with their Christmas lists

Loeb, when she announced the first market late last May, said, “Basically it’s a venue for local artists and crafters to have a place, to have a home.”

The number of vendors has increased steadily since the market started. Loeb, who sells her hand-made jewelry and artwork at the markets, said she is already making plans for next year.

“I’m very involved in the local economy,” Loeb said.

She is a member of Sustainable Saratoga, and her husband, James Zack, is one of the organization’s co-chairmen. The nonprofit organization encourages city residents to buy locally grown food and products.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is held at High Rock Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the artisan’s market is held Thursdays in the park off High Rock Avenue.

Not everyone was pleased with the number of customers at the market so far. Patty Keelen, owner of “As the Wheel Turns,” a pottery business in Waterford, said business has been slow.

“Each week there are more people than the week before,” Keelen said. “But we need a lot more people coming through.”

Stuart Lipschultz of Averill Park was selling his unique water fountains. He has operated Crystal Lake Crafts for 10 years.

“I have sold over 1,600 water fountains in the past 10 years and not one is alike,” Lipschultz said. He sees both local people and visitors at the markets, including people from Connecticut and New Jersey.

Chaz Martel, whose business is called the Delmar Sharpener, is a cutler who sharpens knives and yard equipment. He was in the middle of sharpening a push lawn mower on Thursday.

“It’s been wonderful,” Martel said.

For art teachers Nicole Pieper and Josie Hollander Fosdick, of the Ballston Spa and Corinth districts respectively, their block printing and fine art business called Pipe and Holly will close down soon because they have to start getting ready for another school year. They said business this summer has been “pretty good.”