Etsy Comes to Life at Queen Bee Market

It all started with a few Instagram photos. San Diego natives and sisters, Allison Gharst and Kellie Dooley, first entered the world of crafting with their Etsy shop, Peabody and Sassafras, which gained a large social media following and the attention of Queen Bee Market founder, Mique Provost. The sisters featured their work at the market and eventually became the owners in 2014.

Sisters Allison Gharst & Kellie Dooley

Queen Bee Market is a feminine and fun urban-style market that is frequently described as “Etsy comes to life.” The upcoming spring market will take place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 and will feature more than 100 local and national artisans. Dooley and Gharst manage all aspects of Queen Bee Market, including vendor applications and selection, social media, décor, overall aesthetic and anything else that the market requires.

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The pair selects only the highest quality handmade vendors to participate and use their own firsthand knowledge as vendors and owners to provide shoppers with a one-of-a-kind experience. For the upcoming market, the sisters have selected artisans that showcase everything from handmade accessories to vintage furniture. A few standouts include: Wooden Banner Co., hand-painted wooden banners for indoor decorating; Little Aries Bows, hair bows, flower crowns and clips for girls; Just Charms by Pam, vintage-style jewelry; Momma Pots, concrete plant holders and designs; and Laguna Salt Company, makers of high-quality, hand-crafted sea salts.

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Attendees can also expect live demonstrations from Mint Studio, make-and-take stations and live music from local artist Sam Hunt.

The market has partnered with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to host a food and fundraising drive. The local non-profit will have a booth where volunteers will collect monetary donations and non-perishable goods. Queen Bee Market shoppers may also donate through the online virtual food drive, where people may select and pay for food items through the San Diego Food Bank’s website. Shoppers who donate five items, in-person or online, will even receive a Queen Bee Shopping card worth 10% off their purchase at the expo.

This will be the 24^th market since its creation in 2010. Since becoming the owners in 2014, Dooley and Gharst have continued to grow the market, and have expanded the market’s reach with the introduction of an annual market in Las Vegas.

For more information or to see the full list of vendors, visit their website here.