Local Art and Flea Markets Near Plum Creek

The local art community in Central Texas is unique in that it has the funky flavor of Austin but also a whole heap of southern, Texas charm. There are numerous venues in and around Kyle at which local artists and craftspeople share their creations with the community. Whether you’re looking for jewelry, paintings, sculptures or antiques, these markets will offer you the chance to find the hidden treasure you’re looking for.

 

Photo courtesy of Art Squared Arts Market

Art Squared Arts Market

The Art Squared Arts Market in San Marcos happens every second Saturday. From humble beginnings in 2012, this market has grown and moved to the San Marcos Downtown Square, where it offers emerging and established artists a platform to exhibit and sell their handcrafted art. The market is open from 9am to 4pm and also features live music, so bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy a day of music and art. If you’re an artist looking for a place to sell your wares, applications for booths are open for future Art Squared events.

Photo courtesy of Austin 360

Kyle Flea Market

Right here in Kyle the Kyle Flea Market is open on weekends from 9am to 5pm. Known for it’s weird, surprising, and sometimes messy shopping, this market certainly has a lot of character. Established in 1980, the Kyle Flea Market is a place for the people in the community to buy, sell, and trade virtually anything and everything. The market also features Open-Air Swap Meet tables in front of the facility, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A variety of restaurants throughout the market also offer hungry shoppers a place to grab a bite while browsing the collection of dusty treasures.

Photo courtesy of http://www.firstthursdayaustin.com/

First Thursday

On a daily basis, South Congress Avenue in Austin often features mini-bazaars of locally-made arts and crafts, but First Thursday is the time when the artists really come out and make a showing. Held on the first Thursday of every month, this market / festival gives Austin artists and small businesses a chance to showcase their creativity in the middle of the bustling South Congress Avenue. At this market you can find all manner of handmade goods, from finely crafted jewelry to unique screen-printed t-shirts and much more. As a bonus, many of the well-known businesses on South Congress stay open late so you can enjoy all the funky shopping and dining this iconic Austin street offers well into the night.

Photo courtesy of http://www.austincountry.citymax.com/page/page/2934940.htm

Austin Country Flea Market

The Austin Country Flea Market is one of the oldest and largest flea markets in Central Texas. Just North of Austin, this veteran flea market is listed as #8 on Travel Channel’s Top 10 World’s Best Flea Markets. With 300 vendor spaces, the variety of the market is both vast and eclectic. Besides the expected handicrafts, there is also furniture, clothing, garage sales, auto accessories, and just about everything else you might never have known you needed. With live music every weekend, you could lose hours browsing the huge selection. The Austin Country Flea Market is open Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am to 6:00pm all year round.

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/23rdstreetartistsmarket

23rd Street Artist’s Market

You might not even notice this little market tucked away between 23^rd and 24^th streets on the Drag, but the 23^rd Street Artist’s Market is an Austin staple. Also called the Renaissance Market, this little outcropping of vendors is surrounded by murals and is located right across from UT’s campus. Open since the 1970s, this market showcases some of the most essential Austin flavor and some of the best local art finds. Open daily but busiest on weekends, this small market is a local institution and a great place to experience what the art community of Austin has to offer.

Baby Boom | Etsy Finds

Babies know no season so it’s always good to have reliable spots for baby gifts and supplies for when the announcements pop up in your digital or physical mailbox. But why trust the big box retailers when it’s incredibly likely you’ll show up with a repeat gift? Party foul. Stay calm; we know this fear all too well. That’s why we’ve assembled our favorite locally sourced baby gifts from the ever-so-popular online marketplace, Etsy.

Eenie

Natives need not be demure. Brand your babe early on with this great little find from OscarDogDesigns. This little hand-screened 100% organic cotton onesie can fit tykes from three to 24 months. It’s surely something to hang once they grow out of it.

Meenie

Who says baby play toys can’t be cute? Spiddle, spit and vomit can’t “un-cute” this hedgehog. And check it out – no needles! This shouldn’t take long to arrive in the mail because Tammi Cornett is located right in Kyle, Texas.

Miney

Send thank you notes, news of major milestones or just drop a line with these handmade notes from maggiemakesthings. Sure the little babe can’t suck on it, chew it or drool on it but it’s personal, unique and classically Texas.

Moe

Giant, clunky diaper bags are a thing of the past. Today, new parents are using specially-designed, one-of-a-kind bags to tote around that can often double as a normal purse. This tweed diaper bag is handmade by peacelovenpolkadots from sturdy upholstery crafted to withstand tiny fists, baby drool and more.

Plum Creek Golf Course

The Plum Creek Gold Course is an 18-hole championship course stretching 7,100 yards from the furthest tees.  The Golf Pro Shop offers golfing apparel and clubs for all levels of players.  The 30-acre driving range allows to to work on your long and short game, and the Club House offers an area of respite after a long day on the course.  The course also hosts several tournaments throughout the year.  Check out the website for more information.

Wimberley, Texas

Wimberley, located about 18 miles due west of Kyle, is a town filled with rich history and culture.  Rated one of America’s 10 Best Small Towns by Travel Holiday Magazine, Wimberley is perfect for a day trip or even a weekend vacation.  For a glimpse of what to see and do, see below.

Market Days

Enjoy the oldest outdoor marketplace in Texas.  Every first Saturday from March-December featuring over 475 booths so you can shop ‘til you drop.

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Directions

EmilyAnn Theatre

The EmilyAnn Theatre is a neat outdoor theatre, similar to something you would find amongst some Greek ruins.  Founded on August 1, 1998 in honor of a fallen performer, the EmilyAnn Theatre’s mission is “to reinvest in the dignity of the human spirit.”

Performances:
Grease:  May 28 – June 20 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday Nights at 8:00 pm)

Romeo and Juliet: July 26 – August 7 (No Sunday Performance)

The Taming of the Shrew: September 7 – October 2 (Friday & Saturday Nights at 8:00 pm)

Events:

Trail of Lights: November 26 – December 31 (Daily)

13th Annual Butterfly Festival April 16, 2011 10am-4pm

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Directions

Wimberley Glass Works

In operation since 1992, Wimberley Glass Works offers its patrons an insider’s look into the art of glass blowing.  Owner and Head-Gaffer Tim deJong earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in glass from Temple University.  In 2006, Wimberley Glass Works moved to a larger space to allow for more free demonstrations.  Glass Blowers use a variety of materials, including pure silver and 23 karat gold, to achieve a plethora of unique pieces.

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Directions

The Leaning Pear

The Leaning Pear is owned and operated by Rachel and Matthew Buchanan, both native Texans and graduates of Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, the couple relocated to Perugia, Italy, to explore the tastes and techniques of Italian cuisine while teaching English for a year.

They returned to the U.S. for Matthew to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts at the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. While at the C.I.A., Matthew served as Sous Chef at the historic Bird & Bottle Inn in Garrison, NY, and was also featured in the March, 2003, issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Post-culinary school, the two returned to the Texas hill country and worked alongside one another as Executive Chef and Assistant Innkeeper at The Inn Above Onion Creek for several years, all the while dreaming of and planning for a spot of their own.

The opportunity to restore the Lowery House at 111 River Road, one of the oldest structures in the Wimberley Valley, came about in October of 2006. With the help of family and friends, Rachel and Matthew worked for months to create a unique casual dining environment that reflected the color and warmth of the Village of Wimberley. They share a fresh, seasonal and local food philosophy that is carried out in the restaurant’s delightful soups, salads and sandwiches. Their love of the Texas hill country and Matthew’s devotion to inventive cuisine inspire an assortment of delectable culinary creations that are featured in the restaurant’s daily soups and entrée specials.

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Creekhaven Inn

With everything Wimberley has to offer, you might be in need of some R&R.  The Creekhaven Inn offers just that.  The Creekhaven Inn offers 14 fully stocked guest rooms, a garden area with a hot tub and fire pits, private swimming access to Cypress Creek, in-room massages, and a buffet-style breakfast.

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Directions

SoCo and First Thursdays

South Congress is covered with all kinds of eclectic shops including Uncommon Objects~ photo by texantiff23

About 15 minutes up the road from Plum Creek lies Austin’s famed South Congress district, an eclectic assortment of artsy stores and local restaurants. SoCo is best know for it’s First Thursdays, a night when vendors from around the state and beyond come to shop their wares up and down the street. Some famous locales along South Congress include Guerros, Lucy in Disguise, and Uncommon Objects.

Tips:

• Definitely try to hit the First Thursday. Its a great night to really soak in the atmosphere.
• Parking can be a pain, especially at night. More often than not you will need to park in the neighborhood just to the west. Make sure to take a mental note of the street intersection so you can find it again later.
• Lucy in Disguise is THE Austin Halloween costume provider with over 8,000 square feet of retail room. You won’t find a better selection of costumes anywhere in town. It can get pricey, but you can always rent. Don’t wait till the week before Halloween if you have something special in mind.
• As you travel north on South Congress you will eventually reach the river then capital. You aren’t far from the bats or Lake Austin, or any other downtown venues.