AT the Local Girls Marianas’ Spirit Night Market at Aqua Resort on Thursday, Oct. 26, local vendors shared their experience networking with their fellow small businesses. Some reflected on their first opportunity meeting customers face-to-face, away from their websites or social media pages.
Spirit Night Market was launched by Local Girls Marianas cofounders Ashley Pangelinan and Tiara Deleon Guerrero. It aims to create a “cozier” market experience that can move from venue to venue and reflect different themes.
Spirit Night Market was a Halloween-themed event held in the Aqua Resort Club lobby and at the poolside, with a haunted house on the hotel’s second floor.
Sheri Llagas, owner-operator of macramé art and décor business Cherry Moon Co., said Spirit Night Market was a good opportunity to “support local.”
“It definitely helps small businesses, which are mostly online based,” Llagas said. “[Online] traffic is growing, but every time we have events like these, we invite the public to come and they get to see all the small businesses.”
Llagas said bringing online vendors to their customers allows business owners to form relationships with the people to whom they sell their products.
Llagas sells a variety of macramé crafts. Her best sellers are macramé key chains and Polaroid holders.
Since 2021, she has participated in about 10 small market events, including Spirit Night Market, she said.
Alexa San Nicolas, who operates Tropic Arts Co., made her first appearance at a public market. She usually sells her digitally made arts and crafts via social media.
She said she was invited to the market by Local Girls Marianas cofounder Pangelinan.
“I feel like there’s a great opportunity to grow,” San Nicolas said. “It makes me want to branch out, and seeing other vendors inspires me to do more for my business.”
San Nicolas describes her aesthetic as “minimalistic tropical designs.” When she spoke to Variety, she had already sold all of her bandanas and earrings. She had sold most of her tote bags, stickers and key chains as well.
Jemimah Colegio made her debut at a public market as well. She is the founder of Crochetsaurus, which makes crocheted fanny packs, bucket hats, beanies, bandanas, key chains, toys and more.
Colegio said she began crocheting to make playthings for her son.
After receiving feedback from her “super supportive boyfriend” Colegio decided in April of this year to begin her small business.
Her sister-in-law, Celya Colegio, helped Jemimah sell her products.
Celya said Spirit Night Market helped participating vendors reach out to the public.
“I think networking is really important,” Celya said. “This is [Jemimah’s] first meet, so I think once you get a network set up that’s when you can get a better audience. Online compared to the real-life market is different. She usually just posts pictures online, but [here] they can see it and touch it and they can try it on.”
For two other vendors, Spirit Night Market was an opportunity to showcase their cultures.
Tokie Mojica is no stranger to public markets, as she has sold Marshallese woven goods and jewelry at different events for around 23 years now. She’s a regular at local events like the Flame Tree Arts Festival. Spirit Night Market was her first Local Girls Marianas event.
She was encouraged to see a new crop of small businesses.
“I see there’s a lot of new, young generation of vendors. I’m very happy to see them come out with all their creations,” Mojica said.
She can weave products out of dried coconut or pandanus leaves, and can string materials like shells and beads. She also purchases woven goods from the Marshall Islands to bring back to Saipan to sell.
“[Culture] is unique, it’s one of a kind, and I think there’s a need for that,” Mojica told the Variety. “My stuff is very different because I use local materials. I encourage the young generation to highlight their culture.”
Steven Van Winkle and Natures Treasures were at Spirit Night Market to sell woven items.
Van Winkle is a registered artist with the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture.
He said he started weaving after his friend Vicente “Guelo” Rosario taught him how to weave a closed palm hat.
For Spirit Night Market, Van Winkle, his son, and two of his weaving partners created hats, baskets, pouches, and bags made from coconut leaves.
“We usually just come out to any event when invited,” Van Winkle said.
He stands by the quality of his products.
“I have a hat that I use at the farm,” Van Winkle said. “It’s a 23-year-old hat. It has some wear and tear, but it still looks great.”
At this point, it doesn’t take Van Winkle long to create the items he sells, he said. He can finish a basket in around 15 minutes; a hat between five and eight minutes; and a basket in 15 to 20 minutes.
He agrees with Mojica that a public market is one way cultural artists can perpetuate cultural art.
Veronica Arriola, who operates Xochitl, was at the Spirit Night Market selling items made out of polmer clay and resin.
Xochitl items for sale.
Local Girls Marianas cofounders Ashley Pangelinan, left, and Tiara Deleon Guerrero, host a children’s costume contest during the Halloween-themed Mini Night Market at Aqua Resort Club on Oct. 26, 2023.
Jemimah Colegio, right, holds a fanny pack she made for her brand, Crochetsaurus.
Sakura Halsted and her sister Anzuko Tutiy sold floral arrangements with Sakubloom.
A Sakubloom arrangement.
Tokie Mojica and her traditional crafts at the Halloween-themed Mini Night Market at Aqua Resort Club on Oct. 26, 2023.
Sheri Llagas is the owner-operator of macrame art and décor business Cherry Moon Co.
Some of the macramé work created by Sheri Llagas.
Tropic Arts Co.’s Alexa San Nicolas, left, with Ha’ane Eugenio.
Steven Van Winkle weaved these products with the help of his son and weaving partners.
