Artists at the Market

Nothing to do on a sunny Sunday? Head to the eclectic Fremont Sunday Market, where you can find everything from jewelry and refurbished garage-sale goodies to clothing and home accessories.

A recent sweep of the market revealed several local artisans plying their goods. Here are a few:

• At 9 Gatos (www.9gatos.com, 206-328-5267), you can pick from among artisan Rodolfo Hernandez's layered mirrors. Hernandez and partner Bud Shafer started selling mosaic pieces three years ago but have morphed into more collage-style pieces with natural themes. He hopes to someday have his own store to sell the mirrors, which start at $65. In the meantime, the market attracts hundreds of people and gives him exposure.

"I can see how people respond to color and form," Hernandez said.

• Bedrock Industries (www.bedrockindustries.com) is an established Seattle business that sells glasswork made from recycled glass. But founder Maria Ruano brings coasters, plates and mobiles down to Fremont at least twice a month. There, she can test new colors, encourage the public to visit the store and also spread the word about buying locally.

"Our mission is to create conscious consumption, buying local, buying recycled," Ruano said. "So many people are now buying for that reason."

• Bergen McMurray, a freelance graphic designer, is trying her hand at the market with silk-screened pillows and T-shirts under the name Deviant Design (www.deviantdesign.org, 206-271-1475).

She started with pillows bearing a graphic, natural branch and bird design ($17), but people responded more to her silk-screened men's collared shirts and kids' T-shirts, she said. She hopes to branch out into boutiques.

• Jennifer and Yona Cloonan of Cloonan Pottery (www.cloonanpottery.com) had extra pottery from throwing on their own, so they decided to try selling at the market about a year ago.

Their pottery includes blue- and red-glazed serving dishes (prices vary), mugs ($12) and dinner plates ($16). They also make dog dishes.

• Robert Merrill of Merrill Designs (merrilldesigns.zoomshare.com) showed up recently for the first time this year to gauge response to his colorful wood pieces, which he calls functional art.

His pieces include a black cabinet with silver knobs and a modern side table with a light fixture. His furniture tends to be bigger and more expensive than most items at the market and thus tougher to sell there, he said. But he heads to the market for feedback and exposure.

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com