The Spring Peddlers’ Market in in downtown Zeeland is an artfully curious fare filled with apparel and accessories, household gifts and goods, antiques and repurposed finds, architectural salvage, vintage furniture and décor and other curiosities. “This brand new event looks to attract a variety of vendors to put on a fresh, open-air lifestyle market for all of your favorite things in one setting,” says City Marketing Director Abby deRoo. This cheerful introduction to spring shopping features handmade specialties including fresh flowers and botanicals, farm-to-table treats with live music thrown in as well. Think of it as thoughtful, local shopping with an artful twist—a place you can pick up anything from custom jewelry, creative screen printed T-shirts, children’s apparel and items that have an independent feel to them. Whether hand-produced or local boutiques with an on-site presence, this spontaneous shopping block party is perfect for junkers, pickers and people that love supporting local vendors. “I picture myself with a couple of girlfriends picking up spring produce and flowers for myself and gifts for friends. This is going to be a market where you can walk away with some interesting finds all in one place with destination-type vendors.” Get in front of brand new products from up-and-coming creatives or sift through vintage finds with timeless appeal. Everything goes down May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Look to feelthezeel.com for additional information.
Have you ever discovered something so cute you just wanted to keep it for yourself? I considered this, but decided to throw the Etsy shop Pearls and Pastries into my column. Based out of South Haven and home of the sequined hanger, the Pearls and Pastries brand and blog is a place to visit for a dose of inspiration and sparkle. The shop with the same name is where you purchase and make that leap into your own life. It’s primarily filled with prints of the fashion and inspiration variety and shimmering gold, silver and pink sequined hangers. “People use them for weddings. So many people post outfits of the day on the hangers. I have child ones for baby showers and newborn outfits. The possibilities are endless—even decorations on gallery walls,” said Lauren Gray, owner, founder and creative director. The bright mix of vintage and glitter styling on the blog trickles over to the shop in prints that tell a story. The new spring line of prints coming to the shop will have more pastel and watercolor influences. Make note: pearlsandpastriesshop.blogspot.com This will also take you to the Etsy shop and to a life better lived and covered in sequins.
If last year’s candy-themed Runway for Charity event seemed like a young girl blowing bubbles and snapping her gum to the radio, this year is more decadent like a Baroness posing under a chandelier. Imagine a night of fashion where you don white gloves and your opera cape on May 31, where doors open at 7:30 p.m. with a fashion show following at 8:45. The same team of A.K. Rikk's, Design 1 Salon Spa, Aura Skincare and Cosmetics, The Matthew Agency and Visbeen Associates are bringing Grand Rapids a must-see fashion show with all proceeds from the event benefiting the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. “Formal and floral is the theme,” said Jim Murray, president at A.K. Rikk’s. “Think black and white and simple with florals—dramatic as far as presentation.” It’s all about chandeliers, crystal and champagne at this event, so get decked out because the park at A.K. Rikk’s will be in full bloom and an experience close to outdoor fashion shows in Paris. “We want to put on an experience that makes people go to another place.” Tickets can be purchased at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital website at helendevoschildrens.org.
