On Feb. 14, 2026, eager shoppers gathered around tables filled with unique artisan crafts at the Art Makers and Heartbreakers event at the Holy Bones Artisan Market. A new change made this event extra special — it was Holy Bones' initial launch at its new location, the Michigan Firehouse Museum, after the organization made the decision to move there from the Ypsilanti Freighthouse.
Launched in 2019 as a festival and Halloween marketplace, Holy Bones is a local Ypsilanti organization that hosts recurring artisan markets, said Holly Bones, the Holy Bones curator.
"We like to host our events at historic buildings around Ypsilanti, [which] gives the people an opportunity to come in and see some really cool architecture and just a little bit of history while they browse local artisans. We have a little bit of a spooky vibe to our markets, but it's opened up over the years," Bones said. "We have people that just sell things that you wouldn't find at the standard street fair or craft show, and it's just a little bit more niche for people that are looking for something maybe a little bit strange and unusual."
Holy Bones began hosting markets at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in 2022. In October 2025, however, the team made the decision to move out of Ypsilanti Freighthouse due to the skyrocketing prices of hosting community events there, Bones said.
"We were weighing the options for keeping it affordable [for artisans]," she added. "This isn't a moneymaker; it's just a way for us to encourage artisans to keep making ... things on theme and stay active and stay creative."
Bones and her team wanted to keep Holy Bones as affordable as possible for the participating artisans while also ensuring that their money was going toward a good investment. Bones said they were grateful when they reached out to the Michigan Firehouse Museum and got an immediate response. The Michigan Firehouse Museum is more than just a museum; it is also a building steeped in history, Bones said.
"We took a look at the space and just knew immediately that it was the new home. It had to be a building that didn't make you feel like you were, you know, just going to a space of convenience," Bones said. "I wanted it to be something really cool where you're looking up, and you're actually seeing a structure that has a little bit of history baked into the walls."
Bones shared that she is even more excited about the move to the Firehouse Museum than she could have imagined. She also noted that she has seen more and more families coming to Holy Bones events, and she hopes that even more families will continue coming now that the market has moved into a more family-friendly space. Beyond just visiting the Holy Bones artisans, she said, attendees can now explore the museum exhibits as well and make a day out of their trip to the Holy Bones market.
"[We're] excited to kind of grow with the community we've built over the years and find a way that everybody can enjoy," Bones said.
The next event for Holy Bones is Lucky Bones, a St. Patrick's Day-themed artisan market that will offer good luck charms and works centered on luck and fortune. It will take place at the Firehouse Museum March 14, 2026, from noon until 6 p.m. Bones encouraged anyone who is interested to stop by and check out the new space and the event.
Those who would like to learn more about the organization or about vending at a Holy Bones market can find more information by visiting Holy Bones on Instagram @holybonesfestival or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/holybonesfestival/.
