A few weeks ago on social media, I did a fun Q + A! These were questions submitted by Instagram followers and I wanted to share my answers here for those who do not have Instagram! 

Where are your boys starting school? The boys go to school at St. Francis in Petoskey! 

What’s October like on Mackinac? How late does stuff (hotels, the fort, stay “open”?  Weekends in October are normally very busy. This fall, we are not sure what it will be like. Most of the hotels and Fort Mackinac are closing October 25th. Personally, I think Fall is a great time to visit!

What area of the island do you live in? And do you live there year round?  We live close to town and we do not live here year round anymore. We spend half the year in Petoskey. We lived on the island for ten years and my husband is from the island. We love Mackinac and Petoskey.

Do the island crowds seem to be normal sized this year? The crowds seem very similar to past years. Some days are slower and some are busier. We are very thankful for the business this summer and for everyone who still decided to visit Mackinac Island.

What’s your favorite product in the shop? There’s a lot that I love! But to narrow it down to one item or product line, it would be the Mackinac Bath and Body line. I love the hand cream and room / body spray. 

What led you to opening a shop on the island? Such a dream! The opportunity came back in 2009. I was looking for a “career” on the island. The storefront was for lease so I jumped on it and took the risk. It was the best decision. It’s been a fun, adventurous ride. 

It’s definitely been a different start to the 2020 season on Mackinac Island, but now that it’s here, we are SO busy!

A big change at the Artists Market of Mackinac Island this summer is that we have a WEBSITE! We love seeing what goodies you are finding in our online shop. Our blog is conjoined with our sister store, Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island, but all our products can be found over on our website: www.mackinacartistsmarket.com.
Since we have a new website and SO many new products this year, we’re sharing some of our favorites new products!

Red Cabin Studio’s new product, Framed Tiles: With two sizes and numerous designs, this product has been a hot item in the shop this year!

Northern Nail Polish: Northern Nail Polish uses the most natural, vegan ingredients known to form a long lasting, chip resistant nail polish that can be easily removed by our natural and nourishing soy-based polish remover. All polishes are 10-toxin-free, cruelty-free and vegan, and pigmented with natural minerals so they won’t leave stains on your nails after removal!

Scratch Off Lunch Box Cards: Make your little monster's day with this set of 24 scratch-off lunchbox notes, and hide your OWN message in a scratch-off! Making them is easy: write your message in the white rectangle and cover it with the scratch-off sticker provided. Scratching will reveal your hidden message! These tiny notes are the perfect size to slip into a lunch bag or pocket of someone special.

Lake Life Coloring Board Kit: Have fun while designing your own home or cabin decor, This pre-printed board is the perfect way to leap out of the coloring book. Make your work a lasting piece of art on a wood board, one that you can display with pride.

Sun Sprinkles Earrings: Each and every one of Sun Sprinkles products is handmade and designed from carefully selected materials.  Our jewelry is lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long.  Each piece is  inspected for quality and made to last.

Dark & Stormy Earrings by Ethic Goods: These triangular resin hoops are anything but basic. Ethic Goods, employs women impacted by trafficking in China.

Lilac Enamel Pin: Show off your love for Lilacs with this lilac enamel pin! Perfect for a denim jacket, backpack or tote bag!

Beth Mueller Lilac Pottery: Beth Mueller pottery is a favorite around the shop, especially when it has lilacs on it! The online shop is stocked with lilac pottery just for you! While you're there, check out the new Otto Bowl by Beth Mueller that makes the perfect sized jewelry holder.

Lilac Trays: These lilac trays are made exclusively for Little Luxuries! They are perfect for afternoon tea or an evening cocktail with your favorite snack! Head to the website to shop!

 

When we are on Mackinac Island our little family loves taking walks after dinner, either through town, along the board walk or to Grand Hotel and the West Bluff. This spring, our walks have been extremely quiet and, honestly, it's VERY weird to me. Not seeing the lights on at Grand Hotel or the flags flying, only seeing 2-3 people on our entire walk, and seeing CLOSED signs on almost every business along Main Street - it's so scary.  It has definitely been challenging trying to stay positive once we moved back to the island. We are so used to experiencing a normal, busy Mackinac Island season to now a lonely, quiet island. This time has made me realize how important small businesses are. Of course I know how important they are to our economy, but through all of this small businesses are the heart of small towns. The past 12 years running my shops, never did I ever think we would be experiencing something like this. However, it has had it's positives. Such as, making me think out of the box, ordering more carefully, and digging deeper to make my businesses work. I do believe that small businesses are going to get more support than ever right now and after this pandemic. We will get through this! Our world is realizing how important independent businesses are to our economy.

Mackinac Island, along with other tourist towns will have a later start than normal, and I really hope many of you can still make a trip to our beautiful island this season. If you cannot, follow my Instagram stories so you can feel like you are on Mackinac. I am trying my best to show each of you your favorite place(s) and what's behind our store doors.

Our Island Girl Collection items are arriving the end of this month!! I can't wait to show you what's new!! 

Who would have thought we would be styling ourselves with handmade masks?! Families are purchasing patterned masks and supporting local makers. We are carrying 4 different makers' masks in the shops. Check them out online! They are selling quickly!

You are probably thinking what are we doing to keep busy on Mackinac Island with only the grocery store open and the Mustang for take-out. With three little boys it is a little challenging, especially with the weather not being in our advantage right now.  We are spending time in our backyard, enjoying walks, venturing out to Wawashkamo Golf Course, finding rocks along the shore, family face-timing, board game nights, science projects, eating more, and just holding each other tighter more.

 

I know this isn't easy for anyone. This will pass and IT WILL get better eventually. Be patient, stay positive and don't be so hard on yourself. Staying in your pjs all day and binge watching Netflix IS okay :) 

Be well, 

Nicole

xo

Please enjoy these free printable coloring page of Doud's Market, Little Luxuries and Mackinac Island designed by Katie Doucette, a Michigan designer. 

To download the coloring sheets, click here.