Salem's So Sweet! Festival To Feature 'Love Letter' Artisan Market

SALEM, MA — More than 30 local vendors are set to return to the Hawthorne Hotel as part of the second annual Love Letter Artisan Market.

The market will be part of the Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival on Feb. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at the hotel located at 18 Washington Square West.

Love Letter Confections and Creative Collective are hosting the event, which drew over 1,000 visitors in its inaugural year.

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The curated marketplace offers Valentine's Day shoppers an opportunity to discover handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, candles, artisanal chocolates, original art, and more from artisans across the North Shore, Greater Boston and New England.

Admission is free.

This year's market includes a love letter writing station where guests can pen heartfelt notes to loved ones, and a Salem 400th Anniversary wishes collection, inviting visitors to share their hopes for Salem's next chapter as the city approaches its landmark anniversary.

"The Love Letter Artisan Market is about more than Valentine's Day shopping — it's about creating meaningful opportunities for small, local businesses to connect with our community," said John Andrews, Creative Collective. "Every vendor at this market has poured their heart into their craft. When you shop here, you're not just buying a gift — you're investing in a local maker's dream.""

As a confectioner, I know firsthand how much love goes into creating something by hand," said Samantha Laverdiere, Love Letter Confections. "Partnering with Creative Collective to create this platform for fellow artisans has been incredibly rewarding. We're thrilled to welcome shoppers back to the Hawthorne Hotel for another celebration of local creativity."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)