In just a few days BHM will be gracing the interior of Fountain Square on the south side of the downtown square in Bloomington, and we're just SO excited!! Some of you may wonder, why the change in venue? And we'll answer, honest and openly  - because we wanted to share with you the brilliance that is our downtown, and that is Fountain Square Mall (recently rebranded to Fountain Square). 

Did you know that the block that Fountain Square now sits on used to be 8 separate buildings? Eight separate buildings that were just rotting and decaying from the inside out? And our beautiful downtown was just a shadow of what it is today, that is, until CFC took the initiative to rejuvenate the entire block of Kirkwood by connecting and restoring those once Loved buildings! Such great care (and Love) was taken in the restoration - and you can tell by just taking a simple stroll through the mall! 

When you're in this Saturday, make sure to look up at the exposed brick in the vestibule and atrium - dream about what it must have been like when that area was likely just an alleyway between two unattached buildings. The sun now beams through enormous gorgeous windows and sets that place on fire (figuratively of course) to make for the best wedding, prom, event photos you can ever imagine. Take a walk downstairs and think up stories about that exposed limestone and brick that make up the nooks and crannies hidden away around corners and up half flights of stairways. Cruise up the glass elevator to the third floor and find yourself in a ballroom fit for a king - a ballroom that once had DROP CEILINGS covering those beautiful paintings - paintings that CFC restored to their once glorious beauty - now there for posterity. 

But it's not just the history of the building that draws us in - that helped us to host our spring mini here. It's also the glorious INDEPENDENTLY owned and locally operated stores and shoppes that grace this building  - from Will & Rose to By Hand Gallery, from The Green Nursery to Gather - there's something for everyone! Men's gifts from Andrew Davis, women's gifts from Tivoli, and something for everyone at The Game Preserve. Walk downstairs and meet the sweet sweet family that runs Stefano's.  Stop in O'Child to meet the new young owners and say hi to their smiling 6-month old! Wave to the security guard who makes you feel safe and protected, because you are. It's a small little world inside FSM, and we're glad to be a part of it, if even just for a day. 


So, when you visit this weekend for BHM - remember to take a look around. Remember to come back. Because it's never just about us - it's about our village - and we're proud to be part of the FSM and Bloomington village.   

We have such marvelous support in our community and it just comes from all kinds - from doctors to bakers, from city workers to photographers - all the way to realtors.
We know Theresa has helped out quite a few small businesses in her time as a realtor, and we're excited to have her on our side! 
For all your real estate needs, be sure to pay a visit (or send an email) to Theresa Sicinski with Re/Max Real Estate!! 

This year we're excited to have Southern Indiana Pediatric Dentistry as a first time sponsor. Do you have small children? Do you have children? Well, we here at BHM (two local mamas btw) can both speak highly of Dr. Matt and his staff.  Find something fun in our swag bags from them as well!! First 50 through the door!! 

This year marks seven years that Bloomington Handmade Market has been able to promote and celebrate our independent makers in Bloomington. From our humble beginnings upstairs at the Waldron to taking over the Convention Center, BHM has certainly come a long way! And none of that would be possible without the constant and undying support of our local community - our sponsors - our guests - our makers - our buyers. We are eternally grateful for the support we've received from our community - and now, it's our turn to give back. Our turn to help young makers get the supplies they need to let their dreams shine through, to let them work through the complications in their lives through art.

This year we've partnered up with a volunteer-run Youth Art Club through The Rise - the transitional housing program of Middle Way House.  Middle Way House seeks to end violence in the lives of women and children by implementing or sponsoring activities and programs aimed at achieving individual and social change. Middle Way offers many award winning programs and services to women and children victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including crisis intervention, emergency and transitional housing, support services, legal advocacy, child care, economic development activities, and community outreach. One of these services is the Youth Art Club that releases the creative potential of resident youth, building their self-esteem and modeling respectful relationships. Until now, their art supplies have been provided by their volunteer/sponsor/teacher alone. It's our goal at BHM to aid in providing supplies for these girls. 


Below you will find a wish list for the supplies necessary for the Art club to run throughout the summer. If you could bring just one item off the list - you would be making a difference. More than you can know. Creating, making, exploring is sometimes the key to recovery and acceptance. Let's help make their summer art program a possibility. 


You can bring your donation to the BHM on May 2 from 10a-5pm. There will be a receptacle to place your donation in front of Gather - in Suite 112. 


Wish List for Art Supply Drive!!

Blank canvases- all sizes
Acrylic Paints
Nylon Paint Brushes- all sizes
Composition Books
Sharpies
Stickers
Sewing Needles
Collage Ephemera
Thread
Metal pin backs
Fleece
Wood
Craft Circles for Buttons
Felt
Good scissors
Modge Podge
Picture frames- 5x7
Solid fabrics, white sheets
Plain tote bags
Black fine line markers
Fabric Paint
Drawing papers
Crafting wire
Polyfill
Plain T-shirts- S-M-L
Working sewing machine