Rock & Shop Market Guide

Make Christmas shopping fun with this Saturday’s Rock & Shop Market at Tir Na Nog. Twice a year, some of the area’s best local bands and artists/crafters reak havoc on ours wallets, and from the look of the line up, this year is to be no different. It is a one-stop wonderland for art, clothing, jewelry, bags, soaps & lotions, beer, good music and more. A few personal highlights from last year…

Ahpeele- Fresh off of last’s friday’s grand retail opening, Adam will be bringing Ahpeele’s original tee designs out in force. Click here to read more about Ahpeele.

Iro Handbags- The selection of her cotton bags at the Boylan Art Walk was beautiful, and there are sure to be more like them at the R&S. The purses are hand-made with vibrant and floral patterns that come in sizes from clutch to shoulder bags. The smaller handbags especially are a favorite with their funky handles.

White Pear- I have never gotten more compliments on a scent than when I wear the Pears & Berries lotion from White Pear. Their body scrubs leave hands softer than any scrub I’ve used, and last year, I even got a hand scrub/massage right there in the market. They offer a complete variety of essential oil and other naturally scented products from soaps and lotions, to oils and scrubs.

Ashley Brodie Jewelry- Ashley Brodie, part of the new communal artist space in Durham, Golden Belt, has a line of jewelry that can make a girl drool.

Photo Glass Works- Every R&S I look at these necklaces and every time I walk away mad I didn’t get one. So, this time I am getting one. The necklaces are photos/illustrations nestled between glass and wrapped with wire. Birds and Trees seem to be a huge source of inspiration, and with each one so uniquely beautiful, it’s had to choose between them.

Mi Scusi- Andrea’s Mi Scusi offers original handmade and revamped clothing. Hip yet wearable, Andrea’s designs range in price from $16-89, so you get a lot of funk for your buck. You’ll normally find Mi Scusi at Etsy.com or Tough Love on Hillsborough St., but Saturday is the perfect opportunity to check it out up close and snag one of her signature knitted hats or scarves for a holiday gift.

And if the great shopping isn’t enough to bring you out, two great bands will be providing the soundtrack to the shopping/beer drinking experience. This R&S’s featured bands are the Whistlestop and The Tender Fruit. Christy Smith and Staci Sawyer of the Tender Fruit make a powerful music team not to be missed, so be sure to temporarily pause your shopping spree to enjoy their lovely tunes.

See a listing of the participating vendors here.

Rock & Shop Market is this Saturday from 1-5 at Tir Na Nog. It’s $3 to get in, and the first 50 people receive a tote full of goodies.