Maker’s Market is a monthly art venue created to give local artists the opportunity to display their work. This month’s theme is the “Art of Love” in honor of Valentine’s Day this Saturday. Directors Amanda and Jason Heavner agreed that one of the most unique aspects of this event is the vast array of products available.
“I think our diversity is what sets us apart,” Amanda Heavner said. “We are not strictly an art market, a craft market or a farmer’s market. We are all those things in one. We welcome anything made by hand, whether it be painted, sewn, baked or grown.”
Among these diverse vendors is Natalie Rodgers, former organizer of the Maker’s Market.
“I’ll be bringing handmade jewelry and costume horns,” Rodgers said. “Crazy combination, right? But once people try on the headdresses, they see the appeal. There’s just something special about being a unicorn or satyr. Most of my pieces, jewelry or otherwise, are inspired by my various hobbies from belly dancing to renaissance fairs to geek culture and such.”
For many artisans, Maker’s Market brings publicity to his or her business. Michael Satterfield, who will be attending Maker’s Market for the third time, said it highlights his business, Satterfield Pottery.
“It really puts your business on the map,” Satterfield said. “It’s about the community giving back and artists sticking together. I do it every chance I get.”
Each year, the market brings in new vendors as well, such as John Willcoxon. His creations can be found through Mississippi Madness on the Square or Green Door on Molly Barr. This weekend, he will bring artwork, some made from the reclaimed wood of old barns and old shacks, each with symbols carefully carved into them. His work has been presented to the governor of Mississippi, and he featured in an episode of NBC’s “Fix It & Finish It.”
“I’ve never been to Maker’s Market as a vendor, but I’ve been as an observer,” Willcoxon said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to come out and view the work of local artists. It’s a vibrant part of the community. And it’ll be Valentine’s Day.”
Michelle L. Zerangue, of Cypress Lake Soaps, will be bringing multiple products celebrating both Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras.
“This weekend, we will be bringing king cakes, our handcrafted soap and some of the leather goods we have recently started making,” Zerangue said. “Our soap company is Cypress Lake Soap; we specialize in natural essential oil soap that is healthy for your skin and environmentally conscious. The leather is Ox and Lamb Leatherworks. We began doing this in order to involve the kids in our home business and as a way for them to learn a new art or skill.”
Amanda and Jason Heavner are passing on their love of the market to their daughter, Lyric.
“We actually have a children’s market section that my 11-year-old daughter Lyric Heavner heads up,” Jason Heavner said. “We are open to anybody of any age.”
Vendor Natalie Rodgers said the family is known for their work.
“A lot of people know J-Man’s stuff,” Rodgers said. “It’s bold and iconic, but his wife and daughter make some absolutely adorable felt and fabric creations, sometimes mixing found objects in to make miniature scenes so cute you just want to squeal.”
The market is open today from 4 – 8 p.m. with a champagne reception at 5 – 6 p.m. On Saturday, the market is open from 10 a.m – 4 p.m. Both today and Saturday, the Powerhouse will house an Art of Love Cabaret Show at 7 p.m.
