The event is “mini.” The impact is major.

On Dec. 9, from 6-10 p.m., the Feminist Flea Mini Market will highlight local artists and give shoppers plenty of opportunities to find unique holiday gifts, all while supporting Homies Helping Homies — a mutual aid initiative in Point Breeze.

The Feminist Flea Mini Market will be curated by Zissel Aronow of Feminist Flea and designer Bokeum Jeon. The holiday shopping experience will be held at Baby Tooth at 821 Dudley St. in the Bok Building. 

The event will feature 10 unique vendors, more than 50 local artists and the first-floor shops of the Bok Building, giving visitors a wide variety of small businesses to choose from. Admission is free but a suggested donation of $3-$5 is appreciated.

The Feminist Flea Mini Market was created after Aronow and Jeon met during the last Feminist Flea Market (A Sustainable Marketplace) in April. Their shared vision for creating all-inclusive platforms that highlight and prioritize “BIPOC,” queer and trans artists and makers led to co-curating the newest version of the series. It weaves together Zissel’s experience curating radical and accessible events and Bokeum’s focus on craftsmanship and ethical design perfectly. And it’s a little more intimate for shoppers with a smaller event.

“Because there are fewer vendors, I feel like each one will be highlighted in a way that doesn’t necessarily happen in big markets, and I’m excited to really show them off as our faves,” said Jeon.

According to organizers, the market will offer a broad range of giftables from jewelry, homewares, skin care, vintage and artist-made clothing. Each vendor brings a storytelling aspect, supplying unique meaning behind each potential gift. Vendors include by ren, whose jewelry pieces are meant to nourish a connection between simplicity and expression. 

Sam Ding incorporates her architectural design background by upcycling salvaged materials for Pao Pao Bao, or “bubblebag” in Mandarin. Her bags are handmade from material that was thrifted, upcycled or once someone else’s trash. 

Asia from Redoux is rethinking the power that scent has in identities, relationships and life experiences with her nostalgia-inspired scented soaps and candles. Bee, trans sex worker and maker, has been supporting themselves for six years through their absurdist screen-printed clothes and accessories along with their iconic BONK planners.

Baby Tooth, which is a new retail and community space run by Aronow, serves as a work hub for more than 50 local artists. It will stay open late on Dec. 9 as an extension of the market, selling even more handmade wares including camo clogs from local shoemaker Ruth Neubauer, queer rugs tufted by Bailey Roper (i look great with rugs) and glass snail rings handblown by Jessica Tsai.

“It’s been such a fun whirlwind moving from organizing markets to curating a brick-and-mortar space that offers more of a reliable space for artists,” says Aronow, “But I’m looking forward to finally hosting another Feminist Flea, this time one that’s much more intimate.” 

Baby Tooth already gives 5 percent of shop proceeds to support Homies Helping Homies’ bi-weekly distribution efforts. During the market, there will also be a raffle featuring special items from participating vendors, raising additional funds for their work. The organization focuses on food and household item distribution in Point Breeze.
To learn more about the market and vendors, visit www.babytooth.xyz.