Not only is it independence week, it is also “Independents Week.” Join local artists, designers, makers and creators in celebrating independent locally-owned businesses this weekend at the Shepherdstown Handmade Market.

The campaign aims to celebrate entrepreneurial spirit and educate the community about the positive economic impacts of supporting locally-owned independent small businesses. The Shepherdstown business community has so much to offer as there is a wonderful selection of unique shops to browse, eateries to enjoy, and services to make your life easier, as well as creative local events such as the Handmade Market.

The Shepherdstown Handmade Market can be described as a delightful curated marketplace or temporary pop-up boutique featuring the work of local independent artists, designers, makers and crafters. The featured sellers at this weekend’s Handmade Market are: The Mud Peddler (whimsical and functional pottery), Plumely Lane Botanicals (tinctures, salves, lotions, lip balms, baby gift sets), Even Rose Love (handforged upcycled metal jewelry; Saturday only), Redxisse (beaded gemstone, pearl and crystal jewelry; Sunday only), Kem Gardens (wire and crystal art, suncatchers, windchimes and dried flower art), Raising Cane, Chairs by Geary (hand-caned wood dining chairs), Happy Cat Glass (stained glass panels, suncatchers, garden art and hair accessories), Becky Herdering (fabric wheelchair and walker organizers, handbags, totebags, tooth fairy pillows), Toni Kay Dye (handpainted feathers and wildlife art), Michael Dye (handcarved wizard wands and fantasy figurines), Nature’s Inspirations (statement jewelry made with fair-trade components) and Creative Art and Soul (electroformed copper and stone jewelry).

The Handmade Market is located inside the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German Street in Shepherdstown and is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.facebook.com/SCCHandmadeMarket.

The Handmade Market is sponsored by the Shepherdstown Community Club (SCC), a non-profit community organization of men and women founded in 1945 (formerly known as the Men’s Club). Monies collected from sellers’ space fees go towards the maintenance and operation of the historic War Memorial Building, an important civic and community hub in downtown Shepherdstown, and the 21-acre public access Morgan’s Grove Park.