More than a market: Orange Home Grown makes room for artists
Photos by Bella Balmaceda.
A vintage grainsack gets a second life in Sheila Jones’ hands. At Orange’s Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market, that grainsack’s next chapter begins.
If you’ve never been to the city of Orange’s weekly Saturday market, the streets are filled with fresh produce, baked goods, juices, coffee and all the food you can imagine. Then you round a corner where there’s no more food.
Instead, this corner is full of jewelry, candles, paintings, skincare, clothes and SNJGoods.
Photos by Bella Balmaceda.
Sheila Jones, owner of SNJGoods, sells her creations made from vintage grain sacks, wood, bank bags, totes, leather, repurposed beach materials, upholstery fabrics and much more. Yet, the chance to sell her work is not the only reason she shows up every week.
“I used to do many markets, I just love this one,” said Jones.
Every other Saturday, around five in the morning, Jones loads her car full of her homemade crafts and makes the drive from Long Beach to Orange to set up her booth at the market.
Jones has been vending at Orange’s Home Grown for around eight years, offering a number of her homemade creations.
Day to day, she handmakes seashell paint pallets, leather journal covers, keychains, embroidered tote bags and shirts.
Photos by Bella Balmaceda.
“I have always dabbled in different things,” said Jones. “I am a firm believer of recycling things, and everything here is repurposed.”
Jones noted that she had her own clothing line 35 years ago before becoming a pediatric nurse. Then after retiring, she became her own boss with SNJGoods and works more now than ever before.
“This is taxing and it's a lot of work,” she said. “But I am good with my hands, I always want to create.”
She used to sell her products at markets in Redondo Beach, San Diego and Long Beach. Yet, after one of Jones’ friends recommended SNJGoods to Orange’s Home Grown, Jones has been vending there two to three times a month ever since.
Michael Millar, on the board of directors for Orange’s Home Grown, provided a background on the inclusion of artists and their crafts to the market.
Photos by Bella Balmaceda.
Open for over 15 years, this market did not always offer more than food. In 2011, two years after opening, the craft artisan corner was only offered for seven weekends out of the year. It was every Saturday, November through December, artists offered specialty gifts during the holiday season.
After some time, the craft artisans moved from just seasonal, to once a month, to now weekly, offering their creations at every Orange farmers market, just like the food vendors.
“We bring in people who are local makers and do a variety of things,” said Millar. “It's not just about selling food.”
The addition of makers and artists to this market has brought a number of opportunities for many, especially Jones.
“I love getting to know people and meeting new people, that is what it’s all about,” said Jones. “The other vendors are great and the community is very supportive.”
Jones does not sell her products online or in person anywhere else; she only sells her products at the Orange Home Grown market.
“Everybody asks if I want to sell on Etsy,” she said. “But I want to know who has my stuff and I want to feel connected.”
Farmers markets offer a unique opportunity for vendors like Jones to showcase their talents. Beyond produce or food, the Orange Home Grown market shines a spotlight on the diverse artistry of local makers.
“This has been a great way to get my products out there,” said Jones.
Yet, the real reward is beyond just sales. For Jones, it’s seeing her art find connection and resonate with her customers; for her art to find a new home.
“People get excited about having something that I've made and to me that is the best part.”