The Denver Flea celebrated its’ summer market this past weekend, July 13-15th. Highlighting a new way of shopping, the market attracts vendors from across the country; anywhere from California, Kansas City, and right here in the Rocky Mountain Region, people come to share their craft.

artesian advocates, craft culture enthusiasts.

An exciting Colorado experience, the Denver Flea is working to normalize the act of shopping small, “not at a mall.” Merchants exemplify the idea of going local and make ethical decisions. With small businesses you can find a connection and uniqueness that you can’t find anywhere else.

Supporting non-commercial craft-makers and artisans, the Denver Flea promotes emerging brands and gives them a floor, usually home to boutiques and galleries. Comprising the event with seasonal foods, drinks, and local bands, the Denver Flea offers a different air each season. The autumn flea will be September 29th and 30th, so don’t panic if you missed out on the goods this summer!

From Denver, Colorado, Broken Forest Collective had a table near the entrance. Now based in Seattle, the company is expanding and saving the environment one step at a time. Unlike other logo brands, at Broken Forest Collective they plant a tree for every item sold, by working with One Tree Planted. From Tshirts and beanies, wearing an article of clothing means making the Earth a greener place.

“This is the first flea of any kind we’ve come to”

Selling vegan and humanely sourced goods, along with their 100% post-consumer content packaging, Broken Forest Co. is committed to reducing human impact on Earth. To learn more about what your purchase can do for the planet, check out One Tree Planted.

*Good Trip Coffee, photo by Lauren Shults*

The local coffee company, Good Trip Coffee, attended their third flea and is going into their second year of business. Now sold across the country in Anthropologie stores, the brand is making great strides to change the craft coffee industry. At Good Trip, they include nothing more than the highest quality raw and clean ingredients, meaning no unnecessary added sugars or chemical flavorings.

The husband and wife co-founders behind Good Trip took a trip across the world that led to their decision to become coffee makers. Giving 1% of all sales towards education at the origin of production, Angela and Andrew are paving the way of giving coffee a reason.

“I’m unique because I’m not on social media… I’ve been building this company the organic way. I have a shop that opens once a month in Kansas City,” said Nicole Leth from Soft Studios.

All the way from Kansas City came Soft Studios. Previously coming to the Flea as textile artists, this is their first time representing a line of ceramics. Nicole Leth her fianceé number and handcraft each piece with care.

“We both fell in love with it [creamics], built off of each other and got really involved,” commented Nicole.

Unlike the other artists and craftsmen at the event, this couple has decided to be social media-free. They have a pop-up shop that opens monthly and an online site, but otherwise, they go to events such as the Flea to get the word out about their works.

Through markets, they have the opportunity to get to know their customers and share more about the pieces. The environment they’ve created with Soft Studios is experimental, exciting and fun to say the least.

“We both wanted to try something new to get a refresher on creativity.”

After only six months working in ceramics, their breadth is only growing.

Hailing from California was Heidi Kidd Jewelry. With her handcrafted jewelry, Heidi is creating alongside two women to help produce the modern pieces.

“Find a career that makes Mondays not difficult,” said Kidd.

For years now, she has been pursuing her passion and puts heart into every piece. In addition to her online shop, her pieces can be found in boutiques across the greater Denver area and California.

“This is fun for me,” said Kidd.

More than a market, the Denver Flea is a celebration of artists and more ethical ways of being a consumer. Along with the hundreds of vendors are local food trucks, cocktails, and local craft beers, most notably Great Divide Brewing Company, a sponsor of the event. Again contributing to the idea of going small and local, none of the food or drink offerings were anything short of unique.

Paving the path of shopping small and going green, the Denver Flea curates the products and artists participating each season. You can count on the event every season, with more than 1000 makers eager to share their story.

To learn more about anyone above, visit:

Denver Flea at RiNo Arts: A new way of shopping

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