A Heart for Art: Meet Local Makers

How did you get started?

I was always a creative creature. One watercolor class was all it took to get me hooked and find my passion. You know how they say “opposites attract”? Well, in watercolor, “patience” on letting the paint move and do its thing has been and continues to be a life learning experience for me.

Tell us a little bit about your work.

My watercolor work is mostly realism from the world around me. My paintings range from flowers, barns, creatures, to landscapes. I sell originals and cards out of my originals. I also make shadow box scenes with sea glass and shoreline materials, which I mostly gather from Hemlock Lake, backing them with watercolor scenes.

What inspires you as an artist?

As an artist, the world inspires me. I see around me every day, which means taking many photos of Livingston County. The terrain, seasons, and hometowns are unique and pull at my heartstrings. I have lived here for most of my life. I have visited other places, but nothing compares to its beauty.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Tell people your passion, educate yourself, and listen to yourself. Do what you are drawn to. Have a practice book and “use it”. If you feel you’ve made a mistake, finish anyway. Let it become a happy accident. Something is always learned when you try.

Wicked Grove Soap Co.

Tell us about yourself and why you decided to become an artist.

I just celebrated my 29th anniversary of being a bath and body maker. I got started in June of 1996 on the island of Jamaica. I was on my honeymoon and the resort had a class at their spa where you learned about different oils and butters and were able to make your own body butter. I was hooked.

What inspires you as an artist?

I’m driven by my customers’ reactions to my products. People tell me all the time that they love my soap and that it is all they will use. I have some of the greatest customers who have shown their support for me for years. I have a loyal following, and I am very thankful for that. I create custom orders and scents upon request, and my customers love that option.

How do you decide what to focus on?

I design by scent. I carry a limited number of seasonal scents, but I have 700 other scents that rotate in and out. Everyone always asks me what my favorite scent is, and my answer is "the scent I just poured”. I usually have 30 to 40 scents lined up for weekly production. I have a handful of custom scent requests every year. I love blending scents to see what I can come up with.

What is your production schedule?

In June, I start preparing for the holiday season. [By then] I have already started fall production, and will start winter production in the next six weeks. I have to stay about six months ahead of the calendar to have products ready for each season. In the season, I usually spend seven days a week in my shop making.

Don’t miss Lisa and Pam at the Willow Creek Venue in Lakeville for the 3rd Annual Simply Positive Artisan Show and Sale. On November 1, explore the work of over 30 local artisans. Free parking and admission, shop amazing handmade items to kick off your holiday season!

Tell us about yourself and why you decided to become an artist.

I come from a long line of very talented women. My grandmother, great aunt, mother, and aunt were all, to one degree or another, seamstresses. I have been sewing since I was a child...so I can say I come by my craft naturally.

I primarily work with fabric and sewing, but I also enjoy trying my hand at various other things. I made my first outfit of clothing in 7th grade, sewed for my children when they were young, made a few formal dresses, and discovered quilting along the way. When my first child was on the way, I took a quilting class and made my first quilt entirely by hand. No machine work. Each piece was lovingly sewn by hand.

What do you love to create?

My lap quilts are one of my favorite things to make. They are ragged flannel and fleece, and so warm and wonderful. The upcycled mittens are great – they are made of a sweater that has outlived its usefulness as a sweater and are lined with fleece. I wear them every winter, and my grandkids get a pair each year.

Why do you love Little Lakes Community Center?

I love Little Lakes because it is literally down the street from me. I've done craft fairs, Etsy, and a few other things, but I like selling locally and meeting the local need. Little Lakes carries a beautiful variety of handcrafted items. Stop in some time to see what is available. You will find something you like and maybe a little inspiration along the way to try your hand at something new or refine something you already do.

Flying Dog Gardens Pottery

Tell us about how you got started.

I took a pottery class at Allegany College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, during my freshman year. I loved it! Little did I know then that I would not come back to it for almost 40 years. I started lessons at Studio Sales Pottery in Avon because my son’s soon-to-be wife, notable local potter Alysha Baier, started teaching there. Amazingly, the love was still there!

What inspires you as an artist?

As a potter, I am working in a medium that has been around for at least 10,000 years. As a maker of pottery that is meant to be used every day, I realize that there is nothing new; nothing that hasn’t been made before. My task is to produce items that are enjoyable to use; that please the eye and the hand. I enjoy pushing myself to create the best work I can, every day.

G.O.A.T Organics

Tell us about how you got started.

We’re a first-generation family farm creating handcrafted, all-natural products made with fresh goat’s milk. What started as a simple curiosity about natural living turned into a full-blown passion for clean, chemical-free skincare and household essentials. We make everything ourselves—from moisturizing lotions and soothing soaps to gentle shampoos, mineral sunscreen, bug spray, laundry detergent, and dog shampoo.

Goat’s milk is our star ingredient because it’s packed with skin-loving nutrients and works wonders for sensitive skin. We may not come from a long line of farmers, but we’ve built something special with heart, hard work, and a whole lot of goats.

Tell us about the work you’re most proud of.

Some of our best sellers started as customer requests! We’re especially proud of our goat milk lotion—it’s incredibly moisturizing, feels amazing on the skin, and has become a favorite for people with sensitive or dry skin. Another product we’re excited about is our newer natural hand sanitizer. It’s alcohol-free, gentle, and made with ingredients that clean hands while keeping them soft not stripped. Both products really show what we’re all about: effective, natural solutions that people can feel good about using every day.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned retailing locally?

One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is how valuable community support and honest feedback truly are. Being in a space with other small makers has pushed us to grow, stay creative, and stay true to what makes our products different. It’s also taught us the importance of presentation, storytelling, and consistency. People connect just as much with why you do something as with what you make.

For anyone just starting out, our best advice is: start small, stay authentic, and don’t wait for perfection. You’ll learn so much just by putting your work out there. Talk to your customers, show up at local markets, and be willing to adapt. The heart of your business doesn’t have to be polished; it just has to be real.

What’s coming up for you?

We have some exciting things coming up! We’re currently developing a natural, organic dog treat made with the same clean ingredients and care as our skincare products because our pets deserve the best, too.

Our business is rooted in creating chemical-free solutions for both people and pets, from handcrafted goat milk skincare to household and pet care essentials. We’re always exploring new ideas that align with our mission to provide safe, effective alternatives made with intention and heart.

Founded by Dawn Johnston, Simply Positive is more than just a gift shop; it’s a hub for creativity, collaboration, and community growth. Explore a wide array of items, including collectibles, one-of-a-kind treasures, pantry essentials, gourmet teas, coffees, chocolates, local artisan creations, jewelry, handcrafted and painted items, repurposed goods, and furnishings.

Shop from over 50 local artisans at this gift shop. Offerings include goat soap, woodcrafted items, etched glasses, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, baby items, artwork, knit mittens, caps, scarves, and shawls.

A quaint little store where you are treated to a surprisingly fun treasure hunt every time you venture through the front door. As a co-op store, each member is an owner and takes pride in their space while offering reasonably priced items, including high-end home furnishings and personally made items such as jewelry, scarves, wine charms, and even sweet treats.

A majority of the women in WE Shop are local artisans seeking a place to display and sell their art while also being part of a creative community. The WE Shop also has space for any women entrepreneurs to hold classes. Classes include: paint-and-sip nights, basic photography classes, holiday decor, wooden signage, and card and jewelry-making classes.