The annual Empire Artisan Marketplace opens the Saturday after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 28 this year, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Empire Township Hall (10088 W. Front St., Empire, MI 49630). This one-day event features unique handcrafted items for sale by local artisans, as well as holiday snacks and beverages.
Contact Linda Payment, Empire Area Community Center, at 231-835-1207 or llkcr@aol.com, for more information or if you’re interested in hosting an artisan booth.
Artisan Highlights
Only a few artisans and items are shown here — see more at the marketplace!
Barbie Pfeiffer makes colorful handmade kitchen items in her home sewing room: aprons, towels, dishcloths, microwave cozies, casserole carriers, pot holders, grippers, and more. 
Darlene Lapham loves making art and jewelry out of antique silverware. She uses a heat sublimation process to create designs on various items. 
Karen Rubin soaks compressed baskets she gets from Ghana, Africa and molds them into shape. These sturdy baskets are woven from river elephant grass with plant-based dyes and goat leather handles. 
Weldon Coffee is the place to go if you’ve been looking for a great cup of coffee. Stop by their booth to try a sample. Specialty bags of coffee and brewing equipment will be available. 
Mari Leach is a multi-skilled artisan who makes jewelry from natural, semi-precious gems and Yooperlite stones. Her handmade dog collars and crocheted toy stuffies will also be available at her booth. 
Land of Milk & Honey is a family-based goat farm that makes all-natural products. They invite you to COME AND GOAT IT at their marketplace booth, which features a variety of fresh-scented goat-milk soaps. 
Bohemian Lavender Farm offers many lavender products, including essential oils, hydrosols, hand-sewn crafts, candles, lotion sticks, culinary buds, jams, infused olive oils, and their special blend of Herbs de Provence.
