From Sonny Angels to a community staple: a look inside the Trinket Girl Market

By Brooke Bousley

Blog Content Contributor

What had initially commenced as a method to host a local swap meet has swiftly transformed into one of Central Texas’ most beloved communal events, known as the Trinket Girl Market.

When scouring for rare Sonny Angel figurines yielded zero successful results within a reasonable travel radius, two local collectors made the decision to take matters into their own hands.

Co-founded in Oct. 2024 by Everly Vaughn and Alexis Sanchez, the initiative sprouted from the mere urge to connect with adjacent collectors and sell handcrafted objects.

“We created Trinket Girl Market because we could not find Sonny Angels in-store within a decent mile radius, so we decided to bring that to our city and take a chance to see if other collectors were in our area,” Sanchez said.

However, the original concept required a rapid rebranding to avoid copyright-related conflicts.

“We created the term ‘Trinket Market’ when we needed a name other than ‘Sonny Angel Swap Meet,’” Sanchez said.

“We can’t get sued, you know? Copyright and all that. But we are two girls who love to collect, craft, and bond with others in our community; so, ‘Trinket Girl Market’ was officially born.”

Following its inception, the market has redefined the term “trinket” in the Central Texas area, as what was once merely considered to be a tiny figurine now has an increased amount of delight attached to it.

Propelled by exponential growth, the event has expanded past its original imprint in San Marcos’ iconic Kissing Alley to reach broader audiences in Austin.

Amid upscaling, the founders have remained devoted to delivering a counternarrative to commercialized spaces.

Vaughn and Sanchez said this deliberate decision allowed for the market to be accessible regardless of the attendee’s budget–central to their mission of including free craft stations and trading tables.

“It was important to us to implement these free craft stations and trade tables so everyone has an opportunity to experience an outing without feeling pressured to spend money they may not have,” Sanchez said.

“Plus, this opens up room to build community over the shared love of trinkets.”

Designating the vendors for the Trinket Girl Market entails a discerningly curated process that highlights physical craftsmanship and originality. The market expressly forbids AI-generated art, providing access to smaller-scale curators and first-time contributors.

“You don’t have to be well known or experienced to vend with us, just authentic,” Sanchez said.

“We can tell when a vendor takes their time on their handmade items or takes the time to curate their selection of fashion.”

For small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, the market serves as a career accelerator and networking hub.

As Sanchez and Vaughn prepare to bid a bittersweet, momentary farewell to Kissing Alley, the core identity of the market remains consistent.

Sanchez said seeing familiar faces, whether it be customers or innovators, travel to Austin or San Marcos for the market events is one of the most heartwarming aspects of organizing the event for her and Everly.

“When in the Kissing Alley, we wanted to create this “hidden gem” vibe, something like if you know, you know type of thing,” Sanchez said.

“Even though we are growing, we will always be a hidden gem. You can get lost in the magic our vendors have to offer or lost in that carefree mentality when socializing over crafts and trading trinkets.”

Sanchez said the overarching energy of the Trinket Girl Market is energetic, girly, community-driven, and fun. In essence, every market event aims to provide more than just a place to shop.

“When you come visit [Trinket Girl Market], you’re choosing to support women-owned businesses,” Sanchez said.

Follow their Instagram for any additional information or updates about the Trinket Girl Market and their upcoming events.