Saturday Business Spotlight: Artful Market
[September 06, 2025] If
you have ever been to a 3rd Friday in Lincoln, a 2nd Friday in Mt
Pulaski, or the LMH Farmers Market, you are likely familiar with the
idea of a vendor. These vendors set up for the duration of an event,
which, depending on the event, can be one or more days. Once the event
is over, however, these vendors have to tear down their stalls. Some
vendors have brick and mortar locations to return to. In these cases,
they are able to continue their business during their normal hours. For
those vendors that do not, however, they must look for the next event to
set up at, bringing their inventory of items, tents, tables, etc.
Enter Artful Market. Owners Kelly Byrd and Debbie Armstrong are very
familiar with this struggle. Byrd and Armstrong did many ‘shows’ as
vendors, sharing that they did not always want to do these shows due to
the set up and tear down. This was a sentiment they shared with other
vendors who did the same events they did. In addition, if the show was
out of town, the vendors would likely have to pay to stay at a hotel
depending on the length of the show and the length of the return trip.
With all this in mind, they decided to combine vendors with a brick and
mortar location and created Artful Market.
Byrd and Armstrong met many people over the course of their years doing
shows. They used these connections to garner interest when setting up
Artful Market. They were also able to get some grants from Atlanta to
help them with establishing their business. Byrd and Armstrong have had
a great experience with their landlord as well, who they say worked very
hard to get the building ready for them to move in.
There was a very fast turnaround time for getting Artful Market off the
ground. Byrd and Armstrong shared that they received the keys to their
building on a Sunday and were ready to open that following Saturday,
which just so happened to be Small Business Saturday in 2023. They also
put a lot of work into getting the store ready that week.
Byrd and
Armstrong try to keep the vendors local and in Illinois as much as
possible, and from the United States when it is not. They work off
commission, getting a percentage of the sale price for each item they
sell. This keeps their restocking prices low, but also allows their
vendors to know what items tend to be selling really well. At the
moment, Byrd and Armstrong shared, 3D printed items and memorial flower
arrangements tend to be selling the best.
Flower
arrangements and 3D printed items are not nearly the extent of what can
be found at Artful Market, however. There are all kinds of jellies and
jams, shirts, tumblers, magnets, and so much more.
Rethunk Junk, a
paint manufacturer, is one of the many businesses and/or individuals who
sell with Artful Market. Byrd and Armstrong spoke very highly of their
paint, sharing that the paints can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Byrd and Armstrong have a rolling cart in their store that was painted
using Rethunk Junk paint. They shared that, even after being used often,
the paint is still holding up very well. They also shared that the woman
who sells these paints is looking to start teaching classes soon,
something Artful Market is trying to help her with.
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War Food Farms is
another vendor with Artful Market. Holly sells goat soaps and lotions.
You may have seen War Food Farms items set up at the LMH Farmers Market
each Saturday during the summer and early fall months. Unlike at the
Farmers Market, Holly’s items can be purchased at Artful Market
throughout the week and weekend.
Some of the other
vendors and food items also available at Artful Market include Door
County Coffee from Wisconsin, chocolate from Minonk, IL, jellies and
jams from the Pontiac, IL area, barbeque sauce from Lincoln, honey from
Beason, meats and cheeses from Lake Zurich, IL, and much more.
To keep track of all of these items and their vendors, Byrd and
Armstrong have a private Facebook Messenger group with all of their
vendors, as well as one with each vendor individually. This way they can
keep in constant communication. Byrd and Armstrong also shared that just
about all of their vendors are willing to make items custom ordered, and
use this form of communication to make orders for their customers. This
is something that is used often for the memorial flower arrangements,
Armstrong shared.
Artful Market
also donates to Atlanta Fire and Atlanta Rescue. They have a jar set up
near their front desk, and once the amount reaches $50, they donate the
money. Once $50 has been raised for one of the two volunteer
organizations, they start raising money for the other one.
Byrd and Armstrong had some advice for people looking to start their own
business. The most important thing they stressed was having a plan. They
also shared the importance of seeking government financial assistance,
such as they did when they applied for and received a grant from
Atlanta.
Artful Market is located at 122 SW First St. in Atlanta, IL and is open
Tuesday through Friday noon to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. They are closed on
Mondays. They also shared that they are willing to open outside normal
business hours from extenuating circumstances, such as health issues.
You can follow them on
Facebook,
where they post updates daily. Byrd and Armstrong are also always
looking for new vendors and would love you to contact them if you are
interested.
[Matt Boutcher]
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