Kaz Weaving Studio and Inspire Micronesia were at the holiday art bazaar to sell their local handmade jewelry.
The holiday art bazaar and “swapmeet” took place at the Koblerville Youth Center.
A HOLIDAY art bazaar and “swap meet” sponsored by the office of Precinct 1 Rep. Diego Camacho took place on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Koblerville Youth Center, bringing together 16 art vendors and 14 residents alongside dozens of customers.
The swap meet began at 9:30 a.m. outside the youth center with residents selling a variety of items, including gently used clothes, books, plants, toys, and other miscellaneous goods.
Jeanne Rayphand was there with CNMI weightlifters who were raising money for the needs of their gym.
“I saw [an ad for this bazaar] in the newspaper,” Rayphand said. “Weightlifting needs a facility and … we also need … to send our athletes off-island….”
She said the fun of making sales at a bazaar was what drew her and the team of weightlifters.
“I love it…. It doesn’t cost a lot, but you can make a lot if you got it,” Rayphand said.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, himself a Koblerville resident, said he was “very impressed.”
“This is what you call a community event,” he said. “You bring the community together to mingle. And [it’s] also an opportunity for the community to make use of their personal belongings that have been stored.”
He said he wants to meet with the members of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation to discuss the expansion of the program to the other precincts.
“This is so important, and [next time] let’s bring farmers and [more] food vendors,” he added.
Rep. Diego Camacho was also pleased with the community support he witnessed.
“The people from this area are really excited,” he said, calling the bazaar and swap meet a “trial run” for similar events that could take place in Koblerville.
“We’ll build on it and maybe we can do this on a quarterly basis for this area,” Rep. Camacho said. “People are making money, people are buying gifts and it’s just a really good thing, and a family event.”
CNMI Labor Secretary Leila Staffler, in her capacity as a regular citizen, assisted with organizing the event, which she said could support small businesses.
“Stimulating small business is really important especially at the end of this year,” Staffler said. “Anyway that we can help boost the economy … really helps…. That was the impetus for this event.”
Staffler said it was a good event to host in December because of the upcoming gift-giving season.
“[We were] trying to make sure we got local artists and artisans to come together to give them space where they can sell the things that they make,” Staffler said. “The main thing is to promote local artists and goods because we don’t do enough of that I think, and so this just gives them an event that is focused on their work.”
Weightlifting athletes were at the swapmeet to raise money.
The swapmeet portion of the event offered gently used items at very affordable prices.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, a Koblerville resident, he was “very impressed” with the holiday art bazaar and swapmeet event.
Clam shell pendants made by Inspire Micronesia.
