Once a year, a group of San Marcos artisans and vendors make what, for some, is one of perhaps a few appearances in the non-virtual marketplace.

The host of SMTX-mas, San Marcos seamstress Angie Ramirez, has a downtown San Marcos studio but said, "I probably sell more skirts in Australia than I do in San Marcos" via the Internet.

"The bad thing about the Internet is a lot of us have companies, but San Marcos residents don't know about us," Ramirez said. "So we're trying to bridge the gap a bit."

SMTX-mas will be held for the third year on Dec. 7 in Ramirez's studio, Angie's Sweatshop, at 215 W. San Antonio, San Marcos.

The event, featuring 14 local vendors, begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Ramirez said the event is intended to give exposure to local artisans who don't have a retail presence in town.

"For some of us, the only way we are able to sell is the Internet," she said. "For some of us, this is the only physical representation we have."

Wares sold at the annual event are a balance of printwork, jewelry, fine art, woodwork, stained glass and clothing, Ramirez said. Prices start at about $5.

Angie's Sweatshop sells primarily cotton A-line skirts with silk screenprints on them. She sells on www.etsy.com and her website, www.angiessweatshop.com.

Hundreds of different combinations can be made with the prints and skirts, Ramirez said.

The local shop owner said she envisions a future in San Marcos that leans on its local retailers. The local retail scene is improving, she said, but the local marketplace must improve, and the city must invest in initiatives to promote small businesses here.

Despite the attention their products receive from patrons across the world, Ramirez said not many San Marcos residents know about them.

"All of us have a few local customers," said Ramirez, who owns Angie's Sweatshop. "What allows us to sustain ourselves is to sell all over the world."