How Sweet It is…Shopping Downtown on Sundays
This past Sunday, the inaugural “Downtown Open Market” of the season featured items such as vintage clothing and accessories, natural bath and body goodies, handmade indie crafts, specialty pet items, handmade & vintage jewelry, art, baked goods and more. Boca’s “Downtown Open Market” is being held at the Monument Piazza at Royal Palm Place once a month on Sunday (except November 2011) from 10am-4pm.
Among our most interesting “finds” was a booth named “Enticing TidBits”, the creative brains behind this cottage industry being local residents Kim and Deonna. As they explain it, “Many of the items we use for our purses and handbag collections come from humble beginnings. Fabrics used are mainly those found as fabric samples in Interior Design/Decorator showrooms and furniture stores. Then there are the “tidbits”, which are many of the trimmings, beaded edging and tassels used to coordinate when picking out your sofa fabric and matching pillow trims.” Some of the more unusual items they use are “found” objects…old collections of buttons, closures, glass beads, old necklaces, etc. When viewed as baubles, bangles and beads, these great finds become “treasures”. It is easy to see from the quality and workmanship in their pieces that these designs are truly a labor of love. In addition to a beautiful array of purses, hand and tote bags, they also offer matching accessories for pets. Just imagine going out with your dog adorned with a beautifully trimmed silk bandanna that coordinates perfectly with the stunning handbag you are carrying. The selection of these coordinating pieces is quite extensive, and we couldn’t resist a damask and animal print bandanna that had a matching bag with a gold chain handle. Our purchases also included a beautiful creamy ivory and gold shell print tote bag. Definitely on the shopping list for next month are some silk and embroidered purses that will be perfect for use as evening bags for all the parties and events coming up…and definitely some more of those fabulous doggie bandannas. At these prices, we can actually afford to indulge our love of beautiful things.
The schedule for this season is: September 25th, October 23rd, December 4th, January 15th, February 5th, March 4th, April 22nd and May 20th. The market offers free admission and parking, is pet-friendly, and is located at the Royal Palm Place Monument Piazza (Corner of S. Federal Hwy & S.E. Mizner Blvd. – same location as the Boca Raton Green Market held on Saturdays from October through May).
Support your local artists, crafters, independent designers, musicians, vintage and antique dealers, restaurants and unique local businesses. Remember to Look Local…Shop Local… Love Local!
