Tucson didn't get any rain on Saturday, but we celebrated the first official day of monsoon anyway.
#ThisIsTucson hosted our first-ever monsoon mini market on June 15 at the Coalition Space just west of Historic Fourth Avenue. More than 30 local makers and small businesses brought their monsoon-themed wares to sell, from creosote-infused skin-care products and candles that smell like rain to cloud-shaped earrings and baked goods decorated like our favorite rainy season.
Bushido Studio created 20 monsoon-themed designs for flash tattoos and spent the evening giving attendees permanent reminders of desert rain. Local artist Alex! Jimenez brought her monsoon sound booth, allowing attendees to experience the rain. Kids sat down with the Tucson Museum of Art for monsoon-themed crafts, Monsoon Mystics put together a make-and-take monsoon herb bar and Sigfús Designs crafted custom charm necklaces.
The night wouldn't have been complete without the sweet and savory frybread from Reservation Sensation and accompanying drinks from Espressoul Cafe.
Tucson really knows how to show up. The community not only proved their love for monsoon but rallied in support of local creatives. If you joined us, thank you for stopping by. If you couldn't make it, here's a lil photographic recap of the night. ❤️ The full vendor list is pasted at the bottom!
People browse the indoor vendors during the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
Patricia Flores, the owner of Sacred Fire Creations, gives a customer their new jewelry during the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
Sonoran Rosie has a variety of herbal goods for sale, from diffusers to deodorants, during the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
Hector Valenzuela of Bushido Studio puts the finishing touches on Karen Klein’s monsoon-inspired tattoo during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Hector Valenzuela of Bushido Studio puts the finishing touches on Karen Klein’s monsoon-inspired tattoo during the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
People shop the variety of desert plants for sale at the Drutopia booth during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Annie Gordon looks at the monsoon-themed T-shirt designed and printed by Planet Gabu and sold by #ThisIsTucson during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
People browse the Desert Mystic Goods/Monsoon Mystics booth during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Cicada was one of the vendors at the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
Guests enjoy the variety of makers at the Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson on June 15.
The Glass Desert sells a variety of glasswork and sun catchers during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Jamie Donnelly, left, food writer for #ThisIsTucson, Elvia Verdugo, features reporter, and Gloria Knott, editor, help guests during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Jamie Donnelly, the food writer for #ThisIsTucson, gives a customer a T-shirt during the Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Pictured is the #ThisIsTucson team. From left: food reporter Jamie Donnelly, editor Gloria Knott, features reporter Elvia Verdugo.
The Monsoon Mini Market hosted by #ThisIsTucson welcomed thousands of shoppers on June 15.
Creative Kind had monsoon-themed stickers and pens during #ThisIsTucson's Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Little Thorn Goods brought monsoon-themed paintings and earrings to #ThisIsTucson's Monsoon Mini Market.
Merve Colpan, aka Arya Tara, makes candles scented like monsoon, Mount Lemmon, prickly pear and more.
Mehgan on the Moon was one of the Monsoon Mini Market vendors, selling hand-embroidered art, ceramics and mini mushrooms.
Monsoon Mini Market attendees enjoy drinks from onsite food truck Espressoul Cafe.
Flowing Waters Soap creates soap using traditional plant knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Yoeme matriarchs.
Drutopia, who has a nursery in at The Dunbar, was one of the vendors at #ThisIsTucson's Monsoon Mini Market on June 15.
Here's a peek at Monsoon Mystics' make-and-take herb sachet bar.
Wolf Den Soaps incorporates plants from the Southwest in their bar soaps, salves, beard oils, lip balms, candles, shampoo bars and deodorants.
Ashley Cole of Cute & Classy Krispies sold out of her sweets about an hour in.
Carbs & Coffee brought all kinds of baked goods, including fairy garden focaccia and treats decorated like rain drops.
Best friends of 20 years Taylor Burleson and Caitlyn Coleman got matching tattoos from Bushido Studio at #ThisIsTucson's Mini Market.
Best friends of 20 years Taylor Burleson and Caitlyn Coleman got matching tattoos from Bushido Studio at #ThisIsTucson's Mini Market.
#ThisIsTucson's Mini Market was dog-friendly. Attendee Andrew brought his pup Tucker!
Bake Box's Chris Nacion sells monsoon-decorated baked goods, including cakes and cookies.
Who was there?
- 215 Studio
- Alex! Jimenez
- Ārya Tārā Candles
- Bake Box
- Body and Sol
- Brushes & Boots
- Bushido Studio
- Carbs & Coffee Co.
- Cero
- Cicada
- Coy Creative
- Creative Kind
- Cute and Classy Krispies
- Drutopia
- Espressoul Cafe
- Flowing Waters Soap Co.
- Honest Bars Apothecary
- JesseJ.media
- Juvelarto Designs
- Little Thorn Goods
- Mehgan on the Moon
- Mi Casita Press
- Monsoon Mystics
- Planet Gabu
- Reservation Sensation
- Sacred Fire Creations
- Sigfús Designs
- Sonoran Rosie
- Spirit of Cukṣon
- The Glass Desert
- Tough Kitty Designs
- Tucson Museum of Art
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Watershed Management Group
- Wolf Den Soap
- #ThisIsTucson
