Sometimes pockets are meant to be emptied: One girl’s journey through a local art market

If you haven’t gone to Biome Slow Craft Collective, it’s time. Out across from Story Mill sits a small warehouse where artists of all kinds can hone their craft, whatever it may be, and even sell their handmade materials. The shop is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and always features a myriad of amazing handcrafted goods.

Last Friday, I attended Biome’s March Art Market. On the first Friday of each month, Biome hosts a number of local artists and vendors to showcase and sell their work to the trendy people of Bozeman. A few words of caution: no wallet is safe. It was difficult to not look at a fun graphic greeting card and think of some person, any person, to send it to so you could buy it. Or to justify that even though you’ve got plenty of coffee at home, you need those sweet-smelling grounds with notes of chocolate.

On to some of my favorite vendors from the event. Cowgirl’s Hands (@cowgirlshands) is a jewelry project by Josie Jane made up entirely of beads. Jane sold adorable rings, necklaces and bracelets that have a very feminine feel to them with baby pinks and blues, grassy greens and teeny flower beads – a quirky and youthful selection. GenDeLorme Art (@gendelorme_art) sold many different landscape-inspired prints and stickers. The most popular item appeared to be a sticker of an Indian Paintbrush flower, which I realized I had previously seen pasted on laptops and Hydro Flasks across Bozeman – pretty sweet stuff. Ruminant Hat Co. (@ruminant.hat.co) had some fun panel hats, beanies stitched with dainty fabrics and rimmed cowgirl/boy/person hats with hand-painted leaves all across them – a very simplistic, rustic brand. Crazy Mountain Coffee Roasters supplied a variety of ground beans, and Lyon’s Delights sold all types of snacks from carrot cake, to tropical puddings, to candied nuts. “I couldn’t walk around that market and not buy something!” MSU Alum Sharon Fikes said after buying one of Lyon’s Delights’ spicy vegetable jars (P.S. Can confirm that a jar of vegetables never looked so enticing). My absolute favorite selection at the Art Market was from an artist named Violent Cat Lady’s (etsy.com/shop/ViolentCatLady) who sold hand-knit sweaters and sweater vests. My favorite was a bright green chunky sweater that looked indescribably comfy. I can only hope that whoever bought it knows just how lucky they are. And yes, I just shed a single tear. “These knit sweaters are made from 100% sustainably sourced wool from South America,” the artist said. She was herself surprised that though “most wools are itchy, this one for some reason isn’t!” All I can say is, we will meet again one day, Violent Cat Lady, God-and-wallet-willing. 

Overall, Biome's Art Market was a blast. It was a great atmosphere for socializing with your friends while getting to know and support the different creators who put so much effort and love into their passions. The energy was so lively and its contemporary atmosphere was somehow punctuated by the 50s/60s-doo-wop type music and overall Western feel that seems to define this generation of hipsters (in no way is this a diss, I am totally one of you!). Come hang out at Biome the first Friday of April to find me struggling to carry all of my beautiful handcrafted purchases.