By Leticia Gonzales
Special to The Free Press
ST. JAMES —
When Alia Bostaji moved with her husband and three children from Montreal to St. James four years ago, she immediately wanted to get involved in the community.
“With a small town and not much to do, and sitting with the children, (it) was about to make me crazy,” said Bostaji, 32.
Bostaji taught herself to make wire-wrap jewelry out of Swarovski Crystal and started to craft ribbon charms to raise money for U.S. troops overseas, as well as a cancer support group in St. James.
Earlier this year, Bostaji got involved with the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and was able to get some of her work displayed.
She also attended workshops on how to build a successful business.
Last year, while participating in an arts and crafts show, she realized there was a need for a more permanent marketplace for artists in the community.
“Many of the customers were calling and asking where they could find me (after the event),” she said. “It started to click with me. What if I could do this once a month and other artists would be here?”
Bostaji took the initiative and partnered with the city of St. James to rent the community center for a monthly marketplace. The first event was held in June, with craft shows planned on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s looking good. People are excited, and we are seeing more traffic coming,” Bostaji said.
So far the St. James Marketplace has drawn about seven crafters and artists. Bostaji said the community center has the capacity to hold about 10 stations. While the vendors pay a $25 fee to sell their items, the monthly event entry is free for people to walk in and shop. Students can rent a table for $15.
“It encourages students to go out and participate in such events and try to sell their own arts and crafts,” Bostaji said.
She also said it wasn’t that hard to find artists and crafters to fill up the space.
“It’s word of mouth,” she said. “I had people booking their spots through the whole year. I had a student who makes handmade papers and journals, and she booked all summer weekends.”
Bostaji has been pleased by the response so far.
“The people in town, they like it, and they would like to see more variety,” she said.
Bostaji has rented the space through December and has plans to continue into next year.
Some of the items for sale include journals, beaded jewelry, cards, handbags, purses made from books and Mary Kay cosmetics. Several local coffee shops are also participating by selling coffee and various desserts.
Bev Kraft of Butterfly Worldwide in St. Peter is one of the vendors at the marketplace.
Her boutique features direct sales of handbags, jewelry, bath products and wine stoppers. She said the marketplace has been a great way to meet new people.
“It’s just a place for women to go to check out some local businesswomen and have fun and really enjoy some beautiful products and meet new people,” Kraft said.
