Meet the Skilled Makers Recently Added to Makers Market

Let’s talk about the process of making. There’s mass production and there is small batch skilled artistry. Automation may be faster but there is something important missing. Passion.

The passion embedded into a handmade item is unmistakable. Each stitch is a piece of time captured and every weave is a bit of imagination brought to life. The result tells a story of the journey of an artist, as well as the journeys of those who came before them.

And we have some stories of our own to share with you…

Aporta (textile artist – Utah)

Noelle Sharp, founder of Aporta, is a professional weaver, knitter and conceptual artist who earned her BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago in Fiber Materials. Her scarves and wall hangings are knitted and handwoven on a wooden floor loom using fibers such bamboo and wool. She is dedicated to revitalizing the textile industry in the US and continues to work with local sheep farms to support their wool production. Splitting her time between Utah, Chicago, and Iceland, she carries with her a wide span of influences.

Billet & Blade (wood carvings- Nashville, TN)

As a child, Kelly Roley, owner of Billet & Blade, spent her weekends in her grandfather’s wood shop. Watching a stack of dusty boards transform into an heirloom was captivating and flame of love affair with wood was sparked.

Her connection to the wood’s grain and texture begins with locally sourced fallen or trimmed wood, and is then cut and carved using simple hand tools like an axe and carving knives. Billet & Blade spoons and serving boards boast of authentic rustic beauty and heritage craft.

Christina Nicole (jeweler- North Carolina)

The charm of Christina Nicole’s jewelry is that her process begins with being present in her surroundings of the North Carolina countryside, inspired by the woods, a nearby lake, or her garden. Each piece is made from scratch from start to finish, all by hand, and made to last for generations. Many pieces are etched using her grandfather’s chisel.

We have many one of a kind, exclusive pieces from this talented artist. These will go quickly, so take a peek!

Find more exclusives on Christina’s maker page!