I'm Toya Pham, the artist behind Origami & Earrings, and this article is about what the Witches Market was actually like from an origami artist and vendor's point of view.
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho, and I’m still blown away by how everything went.
The range of products, art and services was incredible, and the amount of people who came blew me- and I think the rest of the vendors away! I wish I had time to take photos of everyone's booths, but I'm tellin ya, we were so busy! Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of things.
When Tara first invited me to participate in the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion, I was excited, but also a little worried that people might question how my art fits in.
When I think Witches Market, I think of a place where people can find potions, crystals, cures for any type of ailment they have. From a broken foot to a broken heart and spells they can cast on their cheating spouse and so forth lol...And then there’s me. I make origami jewelry and art.
But origami has its own kind of magic. Many of the models I fold carry meanings of luck, love, protection, longevity and so much more. There’s a lot of meaning and symbolism behind my work, and I loved finding ways to bring that into a Witches Market.
The event also pushed me to create models I’d never made before. I folded origami witch hats, pumpkins, foxes and other fall and witchy designs. It was fun getting outside of what I normally make and figuring out what my version of witchy origami looked like.
Now, the mansion. This was SUPER cool.
Before the Witches Market, I got to visit McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho, and it definitely gave me Addams Family vibes. It has this dark, old Victorian aesthetic. The dark wood, antique furniture, old portraits, floral wallpaper, and moody rooms made it feel like you stepped into another time. Legend has it that it’s haunted, but I digress. You could definitely feel a strong energy in the home.
Anywho, I got to choose my room and was super excited. I was told I could decorate the room however I’d like, so long as I didn’t put holes in the walls, of course. Naturally, I immediately started planning. I took videos and photos of the room so I could go home and figure out where I wanted everything.
I thought about my tables, displays, decorations and how I wanted the room to feel. I had a whole vision. I didnt get a chance to take photos but I had decorated my table with pumpkins and bought some skeleton skull and some spooky lookin throw pillows in the room!
After we finished looking through the mansion, all us ladies went out for drinks, which was such a fun way to end the night. It was nice getting to spend some time together before the craziness of the actual market began.
Then the day of the Witches Market came and BOY. I Was Not Prepared for That Many People. The amount of people who came was insane!!! I was upstairs inside McConnell Mansion, so I couldn’t see everything happening outside, but I was told the line stretched all the way toward the street. People were already lining up before the doors even opened.
Once everyone came inside, we were nonstop busy for hours. It was amazing. Much gratitude to everyone who patiently waited to get into the mansion and visit all of our booths! You guys are phenomenal!
I also have to give a huge thank you to Tara Lew for organizing the Witches Market and bringing so many different artists and vendors together inside such a unique historic space. Putting together an event like this, and then having THAT many people show up is no small task. Getting to bring my origami into McConnell Mansion and be part of it was such a cool experience.
One of my goals for the day was to fold origami between customers and slowly fill my side table with everything I made. That did not happen lol. Kids started coming into the room and watching me fold. Then people started requesting things. One person wanted an animal. Then another person wanted something. Then another. Before I knew it, I was basically folding origami for people for hours.
Some parents even started paying me to make origami for their kids, which I wasn’t expecting at all. And I loved it. My little side table that I had planned on filling with origami basically stayed empty because every time I made something, someone wanted it. I think that’s a pretty good problem to have.
Your kind words and encouragement truly mean so much to me, and they always find a special place in my heart. But what touches me most is seeing your smiles and the way your faces light up when you come across a creation that feels like it was made just for you. At the Witches Market, I had the joy of experiencing those moments again and again, and it meant more to me than I can put into words.
There was something really special about watching kids stand near my table waiting to see what a little piece of paper was going to become. I loved seeing their reactions when I finished folding it and handed it to them.
I spend so much time making origami by myself that sometimes I forget how fascinating the process can be to someone who doesn’t see it every day. At the Witches Market, I got to actually share that part of my art with people. Not just the finished piece. The folding itself. Sometimes the magic is just watching a piece of paper become something you weren’t expecting.
Thank you again to Tara and everyone who helped make the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho happen. And thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth, talked with me, purchased my work, watched me fold, requested an animal, brought your kids over or simply took the time to look around. You made this origami artist feel very loved.
If you didn't get a chance to see me fold in person, you can still watch demonstrations on my YouTube channel
If we didn't get to talk and you'd like to learn a little more of my background check out my About Me.
And to know when my next market will be or to see more of my work, follow me on instagram
Until the next market. ♥️
Toya Pham
Origami & Mixed Media Artist
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho, and I’m still blown away by how everything went.
The range of products, art and services was incredible, and the amount of people who came blew me- and I think the rest of the vendors away! I wish I had time to take photos of everyone's booths, but I'm tellin ya, we were so busy! Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of things.
Does Origami Belong at a Witches Market?
When Tara first invited me to participate in the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion, I was excited, but also a little worried that people might question how my art fits in.
When I think Witches Market, I think of a place where people can find potions, crystals, cures for any type of ailment they have. From a broken foot to a broken heart and spells they can cast on their cheating spouse and so forth lol...And then there’s me. I make origami jewelry and art.
But origami has its own kind of magic. Many of the models I fold carry meanings of luck, love, protection, longevity and so much more. There’s a lot of meaning and symbolism behind my work, and I loved finding ways to bring that into a Witches Market.
The event also pushed me to create models I’d never made before. I folded origami witch hats, pumpkins, foxes and other fall and witchy designs. It was fun getting outside of what I normally make and figuring out what my version of witchy origami looked like.
Preparing for the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion
Now, the mansion. This was SUPER cool.
Before the Witches Market, I got to visit McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho, and it definitely gave me Addams Family vibes. It has this dark, old Victorian aesthetic. The dark wood, antique furniture, old portraits, floral wallpaper, and moody rooms made it feel like you stepped into another time. Legend has it that it’s haunted, but I digress. You could definitely feel a strong energy in the home.
Anywho, I got to choose my room and was super excited. I was told I could decorate the room however I’d like, so long as I didn’t put holes in the walls, of course. Naturally, I immediately started planning. I took videos and photos of the room so I could go home and figure out where I wanted everything.
I thought about my tables, displays, decorations and how I wanted the room to feel. I had a whole vision. I didnt get a chance to take photos but I had decorated my table with pumpkins and bought some skeleton skull and some spooky lookin throw pillows in the room!
After we finished looking through the mansion, all us ladies went out for drinks, which was such a fun way to end the night. It was nice getting to spend some time together before the craziness of the actual market began.
Then the day of the Witches Market came and BOY. I Was Not Prepared for That Many People. The amount of people who came was insane!!! I was upstairs inside McConnell Mansion, so I couldn’t see everything happening outside, but I was told the line stretched all the way toward the street. People were already lining up before the doors even opened.
Once everyone came inside, we were nonstop busy for hours. It was amazing. Much gratitude to everyone who patiently waited to get into the mansion and visit all of our booths! You guys are phenomenal!
I also have to give a huge thank you to Tara Lew for organizing the Witches Market and bringing so many different artists and vendors together inside such a unique historic space. Putting together an event like this, and then having THAT many people show up is no small task. Getting to bring my origami into McConnell Mansion and be part of it was such a cool experience.
My Origami Table Did Not Go According to Plan
One of my goals for the day was to fold origami between customers and slowly fill my side table with everything I made. That did not happen lol. Kids started coming into the room and watching me fold. Then people started requesting things. One person wanted an animal. Then another person wanted something. Then another. Before I knew it, I was basically folding origami for people for hours.
Some parents even started paying me to make origami for their kids, which I wasn’t expecting at all. And I loved it. My little side table that I had planned on filling with origami basically stayed empty because every time I made something, someone wanted it. I think that’s a pretty good problem to have.
The Part of Markets That Means the Most to Me
Outside of markets and events, I spend a lot of time alone in my workshop folding, assembling and creating. In those moments, I sometimes doubt myself. But every meeting with you gives me confidence.Your kind words and encouragement truly mean so much to me, and they always find a special place in my heart. But what touches me most is seeing your smiles and the way your faces light up when you come across a creation that feels like it was made just for you. At the Witches Market, I had the joy of experiencing those moments again and again, and it meant more to me than I can put into words.
There was something really special about watching kids stand near my table waiting to see what a little piece of paper was going to become. I loved seeing their reactions when I finished folding it and handed it to them.
I spend so much time making origami by myself that sometimes I forget how fascinating the process can be to someone who doesn’t see it every day. At the Witches Market, I got to actually share that part of my art with people. Not just the finished piece. The folding itself. Sometimes the magic is just watching a piece of paper become something you weren’t expecting.
Thank you again to Tara and everyone who helped make the Witches Market at McConnell Mansion in Moscow, Idaho happen. And thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth, talked with me, purchased my work, watched me fold, requested an animal, brought your kids over or simply took the time to look around. You made this origami artist feel very loved.
If you didn't get a chance to see me fold in person, you can still watch demonstrations on my YouTube channel
If we didn't get to talk and you'd like to learn a little more of my background check out my About Me.
And to know when my next market will be or to see more of my work, follow me on instagram
Until the next market. ♥️
Toya Pham
Origami & Mixed Media Artist
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