The Feminist Flea Market is finding a way to shine a light for crafters, artists and makers who don’t typically get the coverage they need at this time of year— and in 2020 that’s a notion that could make or break small businesses. The FFM will be launching a Virtual Marketplace on Nov. 28-29 with over 75 artists who are marginalized by gender, including women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks and items will range from vintage clothing, jewelry, ceramics, beauty items and more.
To add to the already beneficial showcase, four organizations will also be helped through the marketplace—partial proceeds from the event’s entry fee will go to benefit Germantown Community Fridge, Mama-Tee Fridge, Philadelphia Community Fridge and The People’s Fridge. If those charitable incentives don’t already pique your interest, the event is also going to be offering other specialty services including pick up options and a vegan pop-up kitchen at Underground Arts, sponsored by Philly’s all-vegan convenience store V Marks the Shop, the following Saturday, Dec. 5.
The Feminist Flea Market is made possible through House Cat, and the organization has carefully curated the showcase to “highlight the beautifully diverse identities and works of local artists and businesses.” According to a release, a few of the vendors who will be there include vintage and streetwear clothing shop Point Blank Limited, thoughtfully formulated and hand made luxury Asian beauty skincare line Sabbatical Beauty, succulents and cacti pop-up plant stand Cactus Cart, small medicinal herb farm Oma Herbal Teas, sustainable jewelry and homeware brand Noir + Soul and a vegan bakery with an emphasis on social justice, Crust Vegan Bakery.
While you shop, vendors will also be going live on their Instagram pages and doing booth and studio tours, plus process videos, workshops and much more. Vendors are doing what they do best and are getting creative with it—so Philadelphians can expect a hot sauce challenge, fashion show, printmaking tutorial, conversation about QTPOC mental health, learning session on tinctures, basic knitting and crochet tutorial and a how to dry and press flowers for a few different options.
The following Saturday, Philadelphians can pick up all of their shopping items on Dec. 5 at Underground Arts without having to worry about any shipping fees, packages getting stolen or having to stop at different places. While there, shoppers can also pick up food and drinks to go through the all-vegan grocery/convenience store V Marks the Shop. Participating spots for the pop-up include Chambi’s, Jennifer Zavala, Lil’ Yenta’s and Naturally Sweet Desserts and Triple Bottom Brewing will be supplying the beer alongside the Underground Arts bartenders, who will be serving specialty cocktails. The vegan menu items, as well as all drink specials, will be available for pre-order during the Feminist Flea Virtual Marketplace, and 10% of food sales will be donated to the community fridges.
To shop, there’s a $3+ suggested “entry fee,” with 100% of proceeds being split between those four Philly community fridges. For every $3 you give, you will also be entered into a raffle of your choosing, and many of the raffle items have been donated by the Feminist Flea vendors. The raffle items will be posted on the Virtual Marketplace during the online event.
According to the release, at the last market, the community raised $6,000, and Feminist Flea is hoping to hit that goal again. All donations will help keep the fridges running and will go toward supplying the fridges with fresh food, kitchen supplies, general maintenance and more.
Feminist Flea Market & Craft Fair’s Virtual Marketplace will be open Nov. 28 and 29 at feministflea.com, with a Curbside Pick-up & Vegan Pop-up Kitchen on Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, PA 19107).
