Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school and college students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
On a Sunday afternoon in San Jose, a teenage girl in a witch’s hat rushed toward a table piled with crystal jewelry while down the aisle a boy in a Spider-Man suit stopped to stare wide-eyed at a jumping spider crawling in a display case.
This is the Peculiarities Market, a parking lot on 866 Park Ave. transformed on Oct. 12 into an unusual gathering of spooky craftmakers.
“We wanted to create something that gets you into the Halloween spirit but also brings together people who share this love of the odd and unusual,” said director Bernadette Gasga, who designed the craft market with San Jose Makers, an organization that hosts market spaces for local creatives.
The sound of mariachi music and the smell of churros filled the air as people in Halloween costumes wove through rows of booths.
“I’m a maker myself and I love spooky stuff, so this event is right up my alley,” said Kat Alcoser, who was dressed as a cheetah. “There aren’t many communities like this, so it’s great to have a place where everyone can come out (and) be festive.”
By midafternoon, families and teens filled the outdoor space. Some stalls leaned into gothic and horror themes — creepy dolls, crocheted bats and taxidermy shadow boxes — while others were more classic fare, selling plastic pumpkins, ghosts and skulls.
“I just love that everyone can be themselves,” said vendor Elianna Banda, who sold multiple items like crochet pumpkins and bats. “They can be spooky, they can be anything. That’s the fun of it.”
Some who came appreciated seeing a range of communities represented.
“You see pagan and witchy communities here and even Mexican culture with Día de los Muertos,” said Rebekah Kerby. “It’s wonderful to represent the people of the dead.”
Crystal tables were especially popular, drawing customers to sift through bowls of sparkling stones.
“We both like crystals — it’s something my mom and I can bond over,” said Jenna Rosetta, a teen who came to buy crystals with her mother. “She got me into them, but now I think I’m even more obsessed than she is.”
Affordability was important for many sellers. “I want everyone to enjoy them, no matter what they can afford,” said Banda, whose top price was $15.
Rosetta, browsing the booths, agreed.
“Events like this make it easier to find unique things locally,” she said.
Nearby, the Delgado-Salazar family’s table drew crowds with their “ghost booties” (small ghost figurines) and tiny tea light pumpkins.
“During Halloween season people really love the crafts and it gives us a chance to be creative with what we make,” said Lori Salazar.
For others, the day carried deeper cultural meaning.
“Being Mexican American, Chicana, the Day of the Dead is such a big part of that experience,” Guerrero said. “For me, Halloween ties into that tradition.”
Dressed in goth black, 15-year-old Jessica Flores, noted the overlap between communities celebrating Halloween.
“There’s a lot of Mexican American people in San Jose,” Flores said. “Halloween and Día de los Muertos kind of blend together — you see people celebrating both, and it really reflects who we are.”
Beyond the costumes and churros, the sense of community stood out.
“It’s not just about selling — it’s about connecting,” said Phoenix Artifex, whose booth featured creepy dolls.
For Kahlo Dior, dressed as a devil, that sense of belonging was especially important.
“I think it’s a small community that really deserves more visibility, especially for queer people who don’t always have spaces to be themselves,” they said.
One particularly peculiar booth drew in many with unusual goods.
“In the Bay Area, there’s only a couple places you can get captive bred spiders, and I think I’m the only person that does it exclusively,” said vendor Ruthie Schaeferle.
Reflecting on the Peculiarities Market, one story stood out to teen vendor Kayla Wally. The young customer who described how one of their family’s creepy dolls comforted her in the hospital after surgery.
“That was a really moving story,” said Wally. “It showed how impactful (our crafts) can be.”
Sonia Mankame is a member of the class of 2026 at Santa Clara High School.