We're hosting a monsoon-themed market featuring candles, jewelry, tattoos and more ☔️

The scent of creosote fills the air, raindrops tap on windows and for a few minutes, the triple-digit temperatures drop several degrees.

Monsoon, possibly our favorite season of all, is right around the corner and we're ready to celebrate.

While we don't know when we'll see our first thunderstorm, monsoon officially kicks off June 15. #ThisIsTucson is throwing a bash in honor of our very beloved rainy season, hoping to show off some of Tucson's talented artists, all while encouraging the community to shop local.

From 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 15, we're hosting a monsoon mini market, sponsored by Tucson Water and University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, featuring an all-local lineup of vendors selling creosote-infused skin-care products, soaps and candles that smell like desert rain, baked goods decorated like monsoon, earrings shaped like clouds and more. Bushido Studio will do on-site monsoon-themed flash tattoos and you'll be able to create monsoon-themed crafts with Tucson Museum of Art.

Every maker will be selling something with a monsoon theme along with their regular lines of goodies, including jewelry, apparel, stickers and more handcrafted items. Expect around 30 vendors, including two food trucks: Espressoul Cafe and Reservation Sensation.

The fun takes place at The Coalition Space, which is run by the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition at 311 E. Seventh St., right off North Fourth Avenue.

Here's who will be there:

215 Studio

This fine art print photography shop is known for their soft desert-inspired images that are said to feel like something between a watercolor painting and a vintage photograph. 

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-themed photography prints

For more info about 215 Studio, click here.

Alex! Jimenez

Alex! Jimenez is a former scientist turned artist who combines hand illustrated elements with photography, watercolors and vectorized images. Jimenez was previously the artist in residence for Tucson Water, where she created a monsoon mixtape. 

Monsoon-themed item: She’ll have a very exciting SOUND BOOTH — you’ll be able to walk inside and be surrounded by the sounds of a monsoon storm.

Find more info about Alex! Jimenez here.

Ārya Tārā Candles

Owner Merve Colpan uses her background in the fragrancy industry to create clean-burning candles with coconut wax and unique scents, including her "Wonders of Arizona" collection that features candles that smell like prickly pear and Mount Lemmon. 

Monsoon-themed item: Candles in scents like Sonoran Monsoon and Desert Creosote

Find more info about Ārya Tārā Candles here.

Bake Box

Chris Nacion is a full-time student studying biology and business. When he's not in class, he's in the kitchen whipping up Asian-inspired baked goods from NYC-style cookies to madeleines and macarons.

Monsoon-themed item: Rainy-decorated baked goods

Find more info about Bake Box here.

Body and Sol

This Indigenous and Chicana artist creates body-care products with natural ingredients. You'll find lip balms, body lotion, bath teas and more.

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-y skin-care products with desert ingredients

For more info about Body and Sol, click here.

Brushes & Boots

Stephanie Daniels started Brushes & Boots in 2019, painting landscapes of pictures she took during hikes. She sells paintings of our beautiful desert alongside stickers, totes, coffee mugs and more items filled with designs that celebrate Tucson. 

Monsoon-themed item: Watercolor prints of monsoon scenery

Find more info about Brushes & Boots here.

Bushido Studio

Hector Valenzuela was born in Tucson and grew up fascinated by low riders, graffiti art and murals of Aztec warriors. As a high school senior, he was tasked with deciding between art school or a football scholarship. Though he chose the latter, art now surrounds his everyday as a tattoo artist, which to him, is "more than putting ink into skin." Tattoo artist Martin Gonzalez will also be tattooing! 

Monsoon-themed item: Bushido Studio will be offering on-site monsoon-themed flash tattoos

For more info about Bushido Studio, click here.

Carbs & Coffee Co.

Sarah Sessler is the self-taught home baker behind Carbs & Coffee Co., which specializes in whimsical sourdough pastries and breads, including fairy-garden focaccia and sourdough croissants. "Creating art via food is my passion," she says.

Monsoon-themed item: Cloud puff tarts, plus other themed treats

Find more info about Carbs & Coffee Co. here.

Cero

You may have seen and hopefully visited zero-waste shop Cero in the Mercado District, 160 S. Avenida del Convento. The shop focuses on sustainability, including bulk refills of soaps and shampoos, and items like toothpaste tablets, conditioner bars and plastic-free deodorant bars. 

Monsoon-themed item: Creosote oil and monsoon-printed bandanas

Find more info about Cero here.

Cicada

Cicada is known for their clean home and personal fragrances based off memories of the Earth. Candles, wax melts and perfume oils come in scents like cactus blossom and Sonoran wedding cake.

Monsoon-themed item: Candles, perfume oils and soap scented like monsoon

Find more info about Cicada here.

Coy Creative

Megan Coy's earrings are colorful and playful, from sparkly stars to giant rainbows. "We believe earrings are good for your confidence and mental health, so our goal is to help you feel bolder, brighter and more confident when you put our earrings on. Wear the big earrings, make the fashion statement and attract your people," she says.

Monsoon-themed items: Earrings shaped like monsoon clouds

Find more info about Coy Creative here.

Creative Kind

Think of Creative Kind as a place for connection and creativity. The shop started with craft workshops and has since evolved into a full-blown store carrying curated goods from small businesses, including stickers, wine glasses, cards and more that they designed by the Creative Kind team themselves. 

Monsoon-themed items: Monsoon-themed gel pens and possibly some monsoon-y stickers

Find more info about Creative Kind here.

Cute and Classy Krispies

Ashley Cole makes rice-cereal treats in all kinds of flavors, from cake batter to banana cream pie to peanut butter. And she sells them out of the cutest baby-pink cart you'll ever see.

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-inspired rice-cereal treats

Find more info about Cute and Classy Krispies here.

Drutopia

Drew Berryhill has a plant nursery in the Dunbar Pavilion, 325 W. Second St., carrying cacti, succulents and other plants. His business is inspired by three of his passions — plants, animals and rocks and minerals. He wanted to bring those three passions together to create an intimate and accessible oasis that is Drutopia.

Monsoon-themed item: Plants that can thrive during monsoon.

Find more info about Drutopia here.

Espressoul Cafe

This vegan mobile espresso bar has a menu of signature lattes and matcha drinks. Our food reporter Jamie Donnelly loves the creamy blueberry-lavender latte, which she says has the perfect balance of blueberry and matcha flavors.

Monsoon-themed item: A monsoon-inspired drink

Find more info about Espressoul Cafe here.

Flowing Waters Soap Co.

Melinda Bracamonte is a Hiaki Yoeme maker who uses traditional plant knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Yoeme matriarchs to make a line of soaps and other beauty products. The items are handcrafted with natural ingredients, emphasizing sustainability.

Monsoon-themed item: Creosote soap

Find more info about Flowing Waters Soap Co. here. 

Honest Bars Apothecary

Honest Bars Apothecary stems from five generations of soap-making. The vegan soap bars are made for all skin types with ethically-sourced ingredients in scents like prickly pear, lemon and rosemary mint. Honest Bars also features serums and candles.

Monsoon-themed item: Creosote soap

Find more info about Honest Bars here.

JesseJ.media

Jesse Jackson is the photographer behind JesseJ.media, sharing the beauty of Southern Arizona through his lens for the last decade. "I love making any excuse to go out and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us," he says. 

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Monsoon-themed item: Prints of monsoon photography

Find more info about JesseJ.media here.

Juvelarto Designs

Margaret Elandt studied ceramic sculpture and metalsmithing in college and has worked in the fashion jewelry industry around the country, producing work for companies carried by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Sundance Catalog. She uses brass, silver and gold, along with gems that she finds at our local gem show to create jewelry that reflects her love of the desert.

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-themed earrings and necklaces, plus bandana slides with a monsoon scene stamped on

Find more info about Juvelarto Designs here.

Little Thorn Goods

Christina Thorness makes painted and embroidered canvases inspired by Tucson and the things that grow here. "It is important to me to make art that is affordable and accessible for everyone. We all deserve to have color and joy in our lives!" Thorness says.

Monsoon-themed item: Earrings shaped like rain clouds

Find more info about Little Thorn Goods here.

Mehgan on the Moon

Mehgan Birky creates hand-embroidered art and ceramics, including colorful mini mushrooms, pots and saguaro-filled embroidery. 

Monsoon-themed item: Embroidery of monsoon clouds

Find more info about Mehgan on the Moon here.

Mi Casita Press

Mi Casita Press is an alternative experimental press that uses printmaking to empower BIPOC and create radical dialogue. Through the power of printmaking, owner Cenorina Ramirez loves "creating cute and powerful designs for MCP to remind you that you are magic," she says. Find paper goods, shirts and more!

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-y prints

Find more info about Mi Casita Press here.

Monsoon Mystics

Torrie Dueñas is your local neighborhood witch who makes intention-based skin-care, body-care and aromatherapy products, packed with crystals and moon magic under the name Desert Mystic Goods. She's also the mastermind behind brick-and-mortar Monsoon Mystics, 657 W. St. Marys Road, which features the work of many other local artists.

Monsoon-themed item: Aromatherapy sprays, candles and a make-and-take herb bar where shoppers can build a custom sachet

Find more info about Monsoon Mystics here.

Planet Gabu

Planet Gabu is where you'll find tees, patchwork pants and "love sucks" hoodies. "My hands are in every step of the creative process, from sourcing garments, to designing graphics, to printing and photographing final pieces," owner Gabrielle Bonniol says. "I'm a screen printer with a cryptic sense of humor — where callous indifference meets crying over somebody else's spilled milk."

Monsoon-themed item: Apparel featuring rain clouds and lightning

Find more info about Planet Gabu here.

Reservation Sensation

Pablo Miles runs the Reservation Sensation frybread pop-up, where he cooks over a mesquite fire at venues like The Loft and Casa Video. When he’s not selling frybread, he’s coaching a jiu jitsu team on the Tohono O’odham Nation, called Rez Dogs Jiu Jitsu. Reservation Sensation helps the team raise money for tournament fees.

Monsoon-themed item: You might find a cloud-shaped plate under your frybread

Find more info about Reservation Sensation here.

Sacred Fire Creations

Patricia Flores specializes in beaded jewelry, also featuring crystals and stones. Find dream catcher earrings and wire-wrapped necklaces.

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-inspired beaded jewelry

Find more info about Sacred Fire Creations here.

Sigfús Designs

Sigfús Designs is known around the city and beyond thanks to owner Lauren Valenzuela's one-of-a-kind statement earrings. You'll find funky shapes in neon orange, giant holographic dangles and golden snakes. Valenzuela also sells charm necklaces and colorful home decor.

Monsoon-themed item: Earrings shaped like monsoon clouds

Find more info about Sigfús Designs here.

Sonoran Rosie

Rosie Crocker creates herbal skin and hair products, made from desert plants like creosote and prickly pear. You'll find creams, facial oils, lip balms, deodorant, diffuser scents and more. Rosie is also the owner behind Arizona Poppy, 150 S. Fourth Ave., a downtown shop that sells local and handmade goods. 

Monsoon-themed item: Creosote creams, sunscreen, soap, oils and diffuser scents

Find more info about Sonoran Rosie here.

Spirit of Cukson 

Alex Sixkiller is a Tohono O'odham and Yoeme artist who uses art to spread awareness about Tucson's first people, in the form of stickers, prints and tees. "I created this business with the ultimate goal of reclaiming and educating youth through artistic expression that contains traditional knowledge with contemporary touches," Sixkiller says.

Monsoon-themed item: Ṣe:gai flowers (creosote) and bahidaj (saguaro fruit) imagery

Find more info about Spirit of Cukson here.

The Glass Desert

Alexandra Berger Clamons is the artist behind The Glass Desert, aka modern stained glass inspired by the Sonoran Desert. She makes wall hangings, plus potted glass made to look like cacti. "They are great for plant lovers with green or black thumbs," she says.

Monsoon-themed item: Stained glass in monsoon-inspired shapes

Find more info about The Glass Desert here.

Tough Kitty Designs

Linnie Damm is the mastermind behind Tough Kitty Designs, drawing inspiration from vintage, metaphysics, low-brow pop culture and the desert. You'll find jewelry, stickers, collages, greeting cards and more.

Monsoon-themed item: Ceramic trinket dishes decorated with a monsoon rain cloud 

Find more info about Tough Kitty Designs here.

Tucson Museum of Art

Stop by the Tucson Museum of Art's art-making station to make a craft and learn about museum membership. Side note: Tucson Museum of Art is celebrating its 100th birthday this year!

Monsoon-themed item: Monsoon-themed crafts

Find more info about the Tucson Museum of Art here.

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

The UA's Cooperative Extension has several programs that "engage with people through applied research and education to improve lives, families, communities, the environment and economies," their mission says. Programs include 4-H, Tucson Village Farm, the Garden Kitchen, the Campus Arboretum and more resources for both youth and adults.

Monsoon-themed item: Resources on monsoon activity in Arizona.

Find more info about the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension here.

Watershed Management Group

This local nonprofit provides education and resources to help the community build a relationship with each other and the environment. Learn about water harvesting services for your home or workplace or visit their location, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd., to learn about building a rainwater garden in your backyard.

Monsoon-themed item: Resources on rainwater harvesting.

Find more info about Watershed Management Group here.

Wolf Den Soap

Wolf Den Soaps incorporates plants from the Southwest in their bar soaps, salves, beard oils, lip balms, candles, shampoo bars and deodorants. Each month, a portion of their sales is donated to local charities.

Monsoon-themed item: Creosote soap

Find more info about Wolf Den Soaps here.

#ThisIsTucson

It's us. Hello! We're #ThisIsTucson and our mission is to help you discover what to do, taste and talk about in this beautiful city. Stop by our table for a cute tote bag and stickers.

Monsoon-themed item: The lovely Planet Gabu is working on a monsoon-themed T-shirt for us. We'll have extremely limited tees available, so snag one if you can! You can also give our prize wheel a whirl for a chance to win a free rain gauge. 

Find more info about #ThisIsTucson here.