Support Local Artisans in Clark County: Unique Holiday Gifts and Makers 

It’s November. The leaves are crisp, pumpkin spice has taken over, and the holidays are in the not-too-distant future. For many, that means the season of holiday shopping and gift-giving is right around the corner, a sometimes-stressful scenario if you are unsure what to get your sister who has everything or your dad who keeps requesting the same pack of socks every year. If you want to support local artisans in Clark County this holiday season, you’re in luck – our area is full of talented makers and creative shops. 

If you are wanting to buy the people in your life a thoughtful gift but are hesitant to shop through massive retailers and faceless corporations, you are not alone. More people are making the shift to supporting small businesses and embracing the hard work and artistry of people in the community. Owner of the store Pop-Local (image in header), Jessica Chan, says, “When you shop locally, your money stays local and you’re supporting people’s passions and livelihoods.” 

Just in writing this article, I’ve become so impressed with the overwhelming talent and creativity we have in this area. Local artisans are everywhere, and sometimes you just have to know where to look. If you’re wanting to find more meaningful gifts (or treat yourself!) this season and you want to support your neighbors, check out these places and gift ideas to get started. 

Explore Local Artisans in Clark County at Farmers Markets 

Farmer’s markets have always been cultural staples in every community and are a great place to start the gift search. The Farmers Market at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver stays open year-round, and winter hours are now Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. 

This is the place for a myriad of treasures, whether you’re shopping for the foodies, plant lovers or skincare aficionados in your life. I could cross off my entire shopping list at local farmers markets, but the artists hold a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I saw a booth showcasing a painting of red tulips against a vivid yellow sky, and after walking by four different times, I knew it had to come home with me. 

The artist, James Dunbar, says his stepfather treated every drawing he made as a child as a masterpiece, so he kept at it. His oil paintings feature landscapes and cityscapes all around the Pacific Northwest that quite literally protrude off the canvas with his creative use of paints. He describes his work as impressionistic abstract: “I like to make things happy and use lots of texture,” he says. 

His current painting passion is all about sailboats, a series he has titled “Into the Blue.” “It’s quite popular right now; people walking by end up staring for a long time,” he said. James and his wife, Robyn, joined the Vancouver Farmers Market in 2008.  

If you are looking for art that you can wear, Forge and Fire has been a market staple for the past ten years, boasting iconic jewelry. Amy Burgess’s jewelry line started out as a hobby to make a little extra money while she worked full time as an office manager in a medical clinic. “I started by selling my jewelry in the waiting room at work,” says Burgess. It didn’t take long before a patient noticed her talent and asked if she could sell Burgess’s pieces in other shops. 

As her hand-crafted pieces began popping up in other boutiques, Burgess decided in 2017 to bet on herself and go all in on her jewelry-making business. “When in doubt,” says Burgess, “take the leap.” She works out of her studio in Yacolt, where she utilizes her self-taught metalsmithing techniques and is known for her signature torch-fired enamel on copper pieces. 

Burgess, who gets to “be creative all day for a living,” says you can find her work in over 50 boutiques now, including Ridgefield Mercantile and Sweet Intentions in Camas. “Supporting your community matters,” she says. “There is so much quality and heart behind our work.” Every time I wear a pair of her earrings, I am always asked where I got them. And if you love to give the gift of experiences, Burgess also teaches workshops on ring making, stained glass, and making air plant terrariums. 

Both Dunbar and Burgess, along with countless other incredible artisans, will be at the Vancouver Holiday Market, hosted by the Farmers Market, at the Hilton on November 28-30. You will not want to miss it! 

Shop Unique Gifts at Pop-Local Vancouver 

Jessica Chan originally worked with artisans at live events through her event company, Night Market Vancouver, until the pandemic abruptly halted in-person gatherings. “People were having to pivot to survive,” says Chan. “There was a sense of responsibility on my end to create another solution that didn’t involve large crowds.” 

Along came Pop-Local, a shop now featuring local wares from over 300 brands in Washington and Oregon. “It started as a popup concept; I never thought it would be permanent,” says Chan, but has since seen just how much people want to invest in local creators. “The community really came together and were very intentional about supporting independent businesses.” 

The brick-and-mortar store is located at the Vancouver Waterfront and is open for applications through their website for any vendors to sell their goods. “There’s so much local talent, and inventory is constantly changing,” says Chan. 

Chan keeps a creative hand in the business through making her own Vancouver-specific line from stickers, magnets, laser-cut items to apparel. The store offers everything from wine, plants, jewelry, cards, skin care, candles, woodworking and plenty of other local genius. One such creator is Dwight Ong, who launched his hilarious line of board games at Pop-Local this year. 

“My personal favorite is Chicken Challengers,” says Ong, who was inspired by his three pet chickens Elvis Eggsly, Albert Eggstine and Boots. Ong describes his game as a mix of Uno, War and Exploding Kittens and a terrific way to have fun with friends. 

Two of his other popular games are Quack Heads and the recently released Love Me as a Worm. The games are gaining popularity; you can pick them up at Pop-Local or try them out at the gaming space Contrarian’s Game Café. Also at the café, you can find Ong’s line of teas called Bathala Botanicals, and he is excited to open a gaming and tea space in the near future. 

“I love pursuing my passions and feeling the support of the community,” says Ong. “I’ve met so many people who are starting their own thing, and people get to grow and then give back.” 

And if you’re going to play Chicken Challengers, you’re going to need snacks to go with it. Obviously. If you’re at Pop-Local, you’ve got to check out Cloud Candy, a popular twist on dessert you’ve got to taste to believe. Creator Chris Hull used to sell candy on the playground as a kid and has come full circle back to his roots as an adult, making cotton candy like you’ve never tried before. 

“Most people think of the cotton candy they grew up on that’s just pink and blue,” says Hull, “but I wanted to make a real dessert with complex flavors.” After seeing so many people lose their jobs during the pandemic, Hull wanted to make a space to hire people close to him and create something of his own. 

“It’s been a journey of experimenting,” says Hull, whose cotton candy comes in flavors like pina colada, dill pickle and fall-themed pumpkin spice and caramel apple. And for people who are convinced they don’t like cotton candy, Hull urges you to think again. “One of my favorite parts of the job is the look on people’s faces when they try a bite and I get to change their minds and see their childlike joy.” 

Hull, like many other local artisans and creators, knows there might be cheaper options out there from big retailers but hopes and trusts that people will care about quality, time and effort. “My business and heart come from a place of generosity,” he says, which is why he wants to pay his employees a living wage and keep his product affordable. “When you support our business, you’re helping people in your own community thrive.” 

Clark County Holiday Bazaars and Artisan Markets 

Clark County is home to so many incredible small businesses open year-round, but the holidays offer plenty of annual pop-up markets for a one-of-a-kind experience. Mia R., a sixth-grader at Pleasant Valley Middle School, got her business start selling her crocheted stuffed animals at the Pleasant Valley Holiday Bazaar last year and learned her talents were in high demand. 

“I learned how to crochet in the third grade,” Mia says. “I started with a square, and the next day I made a turtle and then an axolotl, and from there I just kept going.” Mia uses the profits from her small business, MIA (Mia’s Interesting Animals), to fund her own supplies and hopes that one day she can start an Etsy shop. “It’s so fun,” says Mia. “I think that anyone my age who wants to do it should go for it.” 

Mia isn’t the only one who got her start at local events; Hiroko Stumpf took a watercolor class in 2018 and hasn’t stopped painting since. “I love to paint everything,” Stumpf says. “If it’s beautiful, I want to paint it, and I love to do all different mediums.” 

After she discovered her love for painting, Stumpf joined the Ridgefield Art Association and began selling her work at the Ridgefield Farmers Market and pop-up events, and now she sells her work all over Clark County, including at the upcoming Vancouver Holiday Market. “I love to do it for the hobby and to make money for my supplies,” Stumpf says. “I’m getting older, and I don’t want too much stress!” 

Stumpf says the act of creating art and selling it in her community has brought her so much joy, and she wants her customers to feel the same joy through her paintings. “At almost 60 years old, I finally found something I really like.” She adds, “I want other people to find something they feel really passionate about.” 

When you shop this season, you have limitless options to explore, and more importantly, you have an opportunity to make an impact with your dollars. The local artists and creators have poured hundreds upon thousands of hours into honing their crafts and creating pieces with stories and meaning. As James Dunbar, the artist, says, “Support local artists. You don’t want mass-produced—you want handmade, authentic and quality pieces.” I couldn’t agree more. 

Upcoming Holiday Markets and Artisan Events 

Mountain View Holiday Bazaar, November 1 @ Mountain View High School 

Heart & Home Christmas Bazaar, November 8 @ First Evangelical Church 

Ilani Holiday Crafts and Ale Festival, November 14-16 @ Ilani Cowlitz Ballroom 

Portland Holiday Market, November 14-16 @ Portland Expo Center 

Pleasant Valley Winter Bazaar, November 15 @ Pleasant Valley Primary 

Washougal Studio Artist Market, November 15-16 @ various Washougal studios 

Vancouver Holiday Market, November 28-30 @ the Vancouver Hilton 

Prairie High School Yuletide Bazaar, November 29 @ Prairie High School 

Hometown Holidays, December 5 @ Downtown Camas 

Society of WA Artists Holiday Artisan Market, December 5-7 @ Valiant Ballroom 

Crafty Wonderland, December 12-14 @ Oregon Convention Center 

Clark County Christmas Bazaar, December 13 @ Clark College Student Center 

Read the November 2025 Issue