Feelz Consignment, a Windham-based secondhand store, is showcasing artisans from across southern Maine ahead of its first anniversary in business.
Owner Stefanie Crockett-McKeage told Lakes Region Now that, as a former crafter who used to frequent vendor fairs, she thought the showcase would give crafters and makers a place to show off and sell their work, as well as providing her secondhand store new products.
The monthlong showcase, which runs through Sunday, Dec. 28, features about a half dozen participating artisans, including Mai Mangin’s aMaizing Soaps, Jen Foster’s Calico Crafters, Jona Jackson’s All Trades Creations, Mary Piscopo’s Wicked Decorative, as well as Wendy Martin, who makes plush Christmas gnomes, and Michelle Kennedy, who crochets stuffed animals.
Crockett-McKeage praised the artists, who range in age from 20-somethings to seniors, for their creativity, and the way in which different styles and tastes are reflected in their artwork.
Buxton-based artist Mai Mangin was selling her “aMaizing” artisan soaps. She said the idea of creating the soaps came to her when her mother received a BodyButter soap for Christmas, but was unable to find the seller. Mangin’s mother then gave her a jar with the ingredients on the back, and asked her to learn how to make the soap. Mangin said her brother, who enjoys going to craft fairs and markets, asked her to make goat milk soap, which led to her “falling down a rabbit hole,” and falling in love with the process of soap making.
While she was initially nervous about starting a business, Mangin realized she was passionate about soap making, and decided to go for it, starting aMaizing Soaps in October of last year. Mangin told Lakes Region Now that she enjoys the positive impact that her artisan soaps, with clever names such as the coffee-flavored “Dark as My Soul,” have on buyers, recalling a time when a woman bought a soap whose smell reminded her of her grandfather.
“That’s why you do it. Even if it’s just soap, it still gives people meaning,” Mangin said.
Jona Jackson, of All Trades Creation, said she has been crocheting part time for about two decades. In addition to crocheting, she also does paper and vinyl crafting, and said she is always looking for something new to make.
“Pretty much, (if) somebody shows me a picture of something on Facebook, I could probably make it,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who lives down the road from Feelz, has previously sold clothes at the consignment store and, after seeing other renters selling crocheted items there, asked Crockett-McKeage about selling her creations. During a conversation, Crockett-McKeage brought up the craft fair, and Jackson, who thought the idea was excellent, decided to join right away.
In addition to the crafters showcase, Feelz is also preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of its opening on New Year’s Day. Crockett-McKeage said once the crafters showcase ends on Dec. 28, she will prepare for the one-year celebration, which will include light refreshments, as well as giveaways and flash sales.