The Acorn Alley Gem Show took place Sept. 27 in the Acorn Alley courtyard, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event featured a variety of vendors displaying handmade crystal jewelry, clothing, art and candles. One booth offered mini Reiki sessions, which is a type of therapeutic energy healing.
Customers also picked out gems and crystals from Hippie Fox Rocks and their booth outside the store. Other booths spotlighted businesses in Kent and Northeast Ohio.
Hippie Fox Rocks owner Jared Abell and Tasha Kardos, owner of Midnight Fairy Jewelry, organized the event.
“We just kind of pick through all the vendors that mainly sell crystals and have them come down for this weekend,” Kardos said.
Kardos also hosts the Mystic Fairy Market, which takes place the third weekend of every month.
(Abbey Sabol)
Her booth featured her collection of handmade jewelry “made with crystals and intentions imbued into it for the person who gets the pieces.”
Ella Snyder learned about the Gem Show from Hippie Fox Rocks and Midnight Fairy Jewelry.
“I’m good friends with Jared and Tasha,” she said. “I’ve been vending with them now since I moved to Kent last year. It’s been a good time.”
Synder’s booth, Teacup Flowerz Boutique, boasted unique resin art, crystal jewelry and recycled clothing.
A sign, “Homemade with Love and Crystals,” invited people to stop and view her creations.
Snyder’s favorite part of the event is “meeting more of the community that’s into the same things, networking and just being able to collab with other artists. It’s been super cool.”
Vendors got to interact with those who shared their interests and enjoyed local businesses and restaurants.
Wendy Borrelli, owner of The Crystal Cavern, has set up at the Gem Show three times. She enjoys the area and visiting the Fruit Stand.
“It’s all adorable,” she said.
Her shops in Garrettsville and Ohio City all started when she began collecting crystals.
(Abbey Sabol)
“I started out just buying them because I like them,” Borrelli said. “And then my husband told me that I had to start selling some of them because I had too many.”
With vibrant booths and a variety of handmade art, customers got to take a unique part of the local community home with them.
The event provided an outlet for these businesses to showcase their work. Customers connected with artists as they walked around admiring the gems and crystals.
“All the various crystals and like-minded people who come here, it’s great,” Kardos said.
Loreal Puleo is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].