Liz Kornbluth (L) and Adrienne Bely (R) network and sell their art. Artist Janet Steele is showing her mosaic tile jewelry and mirrors for the first time at the Somerville Local Art Market. ~Photos by Julia Fairclough Somerville Local Artist Market offers great venue for artisans By Julia Fairclough It was the first time that Janet Steele had ever shown her artwork, but any anxiousness was easily assuaged by the cozy darkness of the back room at the Burren pub in Davis Square, as well as the low-keyed atmosphere amongst the other artisans there. Steele was joined by about a dozen other local artists and artisans during the Somerville Local Artist Market (SLAM) at the popular Irish watering hole. The back room at the Burren, usually reserved for live music at night, was transformed into a relaxing market, brimming with unusual and innovative art work, rendered by artists like Steele who were trying their hand at selling what they love to create. Steele, a Malden resident who works for Harvard by day, got serious about her art when she stopped drinking nine years ago. She used to quilt, but has moved on to creating mosaic mirrors, jewelry, and boxes using tiles that she has created. "I stopped drinking and got sober, and it changed my life," Steele said. "I started doing art."

Steele finds images on computers-such as from Italian and French Impressionist paintings-and transfers them onto paper. Her process involves printing the image, burning it onto white clay.

She heard of SLAM via an email advertising promoting this new outlet for local artists to get their work out there. She thought my not give it a try. She had at that point created quite an inventory of work. SLAM has been around since January 30 and takes place every other Saturday.

"It's wonderfully cozy in here," she said, looking around the room. "I have really enjoyed this. It makes me want to try other shows."

Adrienne Bely, a Wakefield resident, recently quit her job for a printing company to do her screen printing full-time. She just started her own business, The Sneaky Penguin (www.thesneakypenguin.etsy.com), and had an array of tee shirts on display.

"This is a great way to get my stuff out there and to give out business cards," she said, adding it is very "freeing to work for myself, although nerve wracking. But somehow I am able to do it."

Liz Kornbluth, was selling her "Sneering Earrings" next to Bely (www.sneeringearring.com). This was her second Saturday at SLAM. Kornbluth, a Brighton resident, has been making earrings for the past year.

"I started by repairing my own," she said. "Then I just taught myself."

She added SLAM was a great idea since during this time of year there aren't many craft markets. They are often geared toward the larger holidays.

Nearby, a man with a friendly smile stopped to pick up one of Steele's mirrors, admiring the colors of the tiles, the intricacy of the detail. His name was Herb Cummings, and he grew up in Boston. He lives in Milwaukee now and was in town visiting his two daughters. He saw the SLAM sign outside the Burren and was intrigued, and then delighted to see the market inside.

"I think this is a fantastic idea," he said. "I love the variety of art. There's a lot of new art, but it's definitely not amateurish."

Ashley Mahserjian of New York was perusing the market with her sister, Lydia, of Watertown.

"I think this is a great expression of emotion and art," Ashley said, while admiring jewelry made of recycled metal and gemstones. "What you find here is something you definitely could not find in a mall. It's different. It's refreshing."

Lydia agreed. "I like that you can find such unique art here that you could not find anywhere else."

SLAM features up to 20 artists on a given Saturday. Artists may participate at several markets, but each market features new artists who have not previously exhibited. All media is considered for market exhibits. Thus far, the market has consisted of mainly arts and crafts, but SLAM organizers hope to extend offerings to include baked goods, artisan cheeses, preserves, and other gourmet treats.