May | June 2013 Local Living 51

The Artisan Marketplace: 100% Art & 100% AmericanBy Sharyl Volpe

We’ve all been there. There’s a special occa-sion, and you want to present a gift that re-ally means something. The guest of honor is one-of-a-kind, and you want to give

something just as special but you don’t know where to look. You simply can’t go wrong with handcrafted art, and you simply can’t find more beautiful examples than at The Arti-san Marketplace in Southampton, Pa.

Started less than two years ago, shelves and cases display wall-to-wall beauty, in every price range, for every age, and every occasion. Every piece is handmade by local artists and crafts persons in the US, ranging from delicate hand blown glass vases to colorful, bejeweled Jewish mezuzahs for door-ways. Every inch of the space is well organized and lit to highlight the qualities, the colors, and the mystique of each diverse creation. The use of top-notch materials is one of the most important criteria owner Domenic Graziano applies to his decisions about which artists to feature in his store. Every selection is accompanied by the artist’s card and can be gift wrapped and delivered by request seven days a week.

Well known as the owner of Domenic Graziano Flow-ers and Gifts since 1978, Domenic and partner Joanne D’Alfonso had a craving to expand their enterprise.

They attended an art exhibition in Las Vegas where they bought a lot of work, realizing later that they’d be drawn to all American made work.

“We talked to a lot of artists, and made a lot of connec-tions. It was important to us to bring American-made back into the consciousness by featuring beautiful things,” Do-menic related. “Our selection of products is ever-changing and ever growing. You have to stop in often as our inventory is unique and it moves. We are bringing in work from new artists to feature daily, so signing up for our newsletter is a good way to be notified of new artists and craftspeople.”

The last thing Domenic said to me as I was leaving was this: “People only need to come in once.” And he’s right; after that you’ll be hooked. You won’t need any other place to find the perfect gift every time. And all of the lucky re-ceivers will be thanking you for years to come as they enjoy their one-of-a-kinds.

For hours and locations, featured artists and lot of great images, visit www.localartisanmarket.com.

Sharyl Volpe is Editor-in-Chief for Local Living Magazine.