Local Crafters Market connects artisans with Surrey community

The inaugural Local Crafters Market will take place in Surrey’s Central City Mall on Dec. 1, allowing community members to connect with local vendors and artisans showcasing their goods.

Market co-founder Kim Teng has more than 20 years of similar experience and decided to set up the market to allow visitors to discover and buy from local talent.

Having a teenage daughter and son, Teng says they would go to the local mall to find items like jewelry or clothes, yet the options were often limited and quite expensive.

Though there are a lot of options on the internet, people cannot touch and feel an item before buying it, he adds.

“We decided why not open up an artisan shop in our community where we live, so people who are my daughter’s and son’s age could actually have a piece of fashion, which is affordable and reachable for them, and it also makes life much better for all of us,” Teng says.

The market, which will open ahead of Christmas in a location where many visitors, students, and locals pass through, has a total of 109 vendor spots and offers options categorized by display type, such as shelf display and smaller or bigger racks.

The goods up for sale vary from jewelry and self-care products to home decor, art, candles, and clothing, among others. The market will also feature vendors selling tote bags, sling bags, pouches, and wallets made using recycled textile. Teng says another artisan at the market uses driftwood to make table lamps. 

“Driftwood is something we usually see and don’t put much thought or value to,” Teng says. “But this person, with his wonderful skills, gathers all this driftwood and makes them into beautiful table lamps.”

He adds each vendor brings their own story and passion to the space, making it a place not just to shop but connect with real people and discover the creativity that thrives in the community.

With rent and other hindrances that come with opening their own stores, creative people in the community often don’t get a chance to showcase their talent, Teng says.

“By providing a platform like this, such as the Local Crafters Market, we are essentially providing them a venue at a very affordable rate, and they can use this to reach out to consumers.”

He adds the market will not charge commission from the vendors, and all proceeds from sales will go back to artisans.

Teng hopes people leave feeling inspired and proud of their community when visiting the market. 

“We want them to feel the energy, passion, and authenticity behind every product that the artisan has put their time into creating for consumers.”

For more information, visit www.localcrafters.ca.