Last week I wrote about the glee I felt finding Savers here in Albuquerque, which means that I can readily source raw materials – i.e., used t-shirts – for my rugs and mats. This week it’s all about finding new markets and one market in particular, Albuquerque’s kick-ass Rail Yards Market.
So, Sunday morning rolled around and we had a choice. I’d seen ads for the Rail Yards Market offering farm, food, and arts vendors a chance to show off and
sell their wares. But I’d also read about the Garlic Festival in nearby Rio Rancho. Hmmmm… A dilemma when you like to cook with and eat garlic as much as Tom and me, him with his Lebanese heritage and all and me with, well, just a love of the stuff. Given that it promised food and arts too, garlic was in the lead. BUT only until I read that the Rail Yards was hosting the 7th annual recycling arts fair. All the art had to be up- and re-cycled! Much like my t-shirt and other rugs! Wheels turned in the brain. We decided to see if perhaps my rugs might fit in at the 8th annual fair next year.
Off we went and, boy, every expectation was met. We purchased some fabulously tasty tomatoes straight from the farmers who grew them. Revolution Bakery provided me with a great gluten-free macaroon. Alas, that did not prevent me from sharing a basket-full of Caribbean fritters with Tom. They were decidedly NOT gluten-free, but so worth it. Not sure who that vendor was. There were music performers and story-tellers for the kids.
Best of all, I met and spoke with artists who clued me into the local scene. It appears to be quite vibrant. Darlene Fortier kindly filled me in on local art groups and communities as well as various markets and fairs coming up. Between them and the fiber artist resources I’ve found, I think that hooking in Albuquerque is going to be a beautiful thing.
Enjoy the pics! And please email me if you have any additional info regarding New Mexico’s art scene and markets.
You found a house??? Very exciting. What’s the timeline? Hope your house rental is month to month!
We did indeed find one. Our heads are still spinning because it’s all happening so fast. The closing should be Sept. 23. We’ll have to build a small pool next spring, and we inadvertently upsized despite meaning to downsize. But we don’t have to do any work to it, which is what we wanted after this past year. TChe master bedroom is huge, which is good as it’ll double as my studio too!
Ha! We did the same thing. Tried to downsize but liked this house and the property and the pool and the lake so much that we went for it! The 23rd – wow! We had money since we’d sold our house but we got delayed and delayed by the mortgage bank. Don’t know why as we have amazing credit. Congratulations and I look forward to seeing your new digs.
;-D
Thank you! Inspection tomorrow. I’ll try to take some pics. Yeah, neither of us is employed – he’s retired and what did I make working in a food pantry. No mortgage to worry about. Also means that there’s definitely no going back to the northeast given how much houses cost there versus here. That’s okay. I saw that report on the Farmer’s Almanac. Another BAD winter there!