Love Local: Clawson Makers Market
Welcome to one of my many blog highlights from my 2020 project Love Local Project: Clawson! As a Michigan native in love with my little downtown I wanted to do something to keep the lights on in these wonderful small businesses in Clawson. My friend Nicole Rall and i met with as many business owners as possible, photographed them. We were able to chat with each of them and hear how we can help support them during 2020. It’s truly my hearts desire to see small businesses survive this economic crisis and since i haven’t hit the lottery yet, I thought I would put my talents to use for a good cause. Please, please, please consider shopping small first. Each and everyone of these beautiful humans have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into these places. Your support means the world to them.
The first business on our tour of Clawson through the Support Local Project is Clawson Makers Market. I was giddy to hear from them and their eagerness to be part of this. I am a hardcore creative and respect the heck out of anyone who hosts spaces like this. Working with multiple creatives can get complicated. But what a wonderful way to share amazing craftsmanship in one great shop. Not only that but it’s also a Crafting Class Studio in one place. Obviously classes are on hold and being curated to look a little differently when they can begin them again. If this wasn’t all cool enough, they also made over 2,000 masks for our local medical professionals and sold another 3,000 to the local community!
When I contacted Bonnie, the owner of Clawson Makers Market, she asked if we could include the artists that display their work in this space. “Absolutely!” was my answer and I’m so happy she had this idea. What a great way to display all the creativity wrapped up in this business?
I had a few questions I asked of all the owners who posed for this project and I’d like to include Bonnie’s here:
What are you currently doing to keep your business open?
“To keep our business open, we followed executive order and closed retail and started an online store for our 50+ Makers! We also used our space and resources to make over 5,000 PPE masks and surgical caps for medical, frontline and our community. All PPE is FREE to medical personnel, but we do now offer them to curbside walk in business for the community.”
How can customers contact you to support your business?
“The online store was such a success we have decided to keep it. But people always love to browse a great artist market, so we look forward to Executive Order that will allow us to reopen our inside Marketspace. Summer will bring outdoor art, produce, honey, eggs and flowers on Saturdays and Sundays as well as art classes and events.”
How long have you been in business?
“We celebrated out first year in business March 1st of this year, now are super excited to (re)acquaint June 1, 2020”
This was such a great group to meet and learn more about. I’m looking forward to browsing their space soon and supporting local creative locals. In the meantime, check out their online store here. And follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on their events!
