Shop Local Artisans this Holiday Season

Jessie Balu of Balu Pottery combines clay with science by fusing her love of art and the natural sciences, “I've created a body of work that reflects the quiet beauty of leaves, stones, shells, and water ripples”. She combines wheel thrown pottery with one-of-a-kind sculptures to create beautiful objects for everyday use. Her work includes nature-inspired teapots, coffee mugs, flower pots and planters, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, and sculpted jewelry. Each piece is skillfully crafted by her upon ordering. She can be found at the Farmers Market on Sunday, December 17.

Facebook.com/BaluPottery
Balupottery.com

Did you know that we have a shoe designer right here in Wichita! Aida Stenholm, owner of Killasumaq, meaning “beautiful moon”, creates unique designs for her handcrafted ladies shoes. “I only make shoes for ladies and men that like unique, top quality foot-ware. I make very limited batches in each color. Once they are sold out, there will be no more.” Customers should contact Aida for recreations in different sizes. In the near future, she plans to make custom designed shoes for her customers.

Aidastenholm.com
110 S. Hillside.

How about candle holders made from up-cycled wine bottles! Barb Perry owner of All Bottled Up does just that. She hand paints each custom ordered bottle in order to create her beautifully crafted candleholders. Barb loves working with her customers and seeing the smile on their faces lights up her day. She is currently taking custom orders so be sure to place yours!

Facebook.com/BarbPerry

I found the lost art of paper making when I met Nikki Smith owner of The Coppage Emporium. Her beautifully handcrafted paper goods drew me in wanting to know more about her and her business. ICT lover and environmentalist, Nikki makes sheets of paper using recycled stationary. Her talent doesn’t end there as she accepts special orders for all kinds of stationery, invitations, custom thank you notes, notepads and more. Find her on Sunday at the Old Town Farmers Market in Distillery 244.

TheCoppageEmporium.com

Kathy’s Quilts and Crafts is helping keep customers warm this winter. Owner Kathy Peavey comes from a long line of quilters and has an array of one-of-a-kind quilts and creates custom quilts as well. Kathy specializes in traditional quilts, like that of grandma’s, but also holds a special place in her heart for art quilts with bold colors and patterns that often have embellishments. She loves mixing colors and quilting designs to make a unique and individual product. Her quilts can be found at The WorkRoom and Hunt and Gather in Wichita.

KathysQuiltsandCrafts.com

Accessorizing the environmental way is what Christie Johnson of Reclectic Goods helps her customers do! She makes ladies jewelry and accessories using up-cycled materials. Inspired by her grandparents who lived through the Great Depression and taught Christie the fine art of repurposing. Most of her items are created from salvaged materials & thrift store finds.

Etsy.com/ReclecticGoods

With all the hassle and bustle you don’t want to leave your furry friend out. Charity Overman of Happy Trails Pet Bakery will be happy to bake a special treat for your furry friend. After starting out baking goods for animals as part of a fundraiser, the demand for her specially baked pet goods grew. Today she specializes in baked goods for animals with allergies and uses all natural ingredients in her pet cakes and home baked treats.

Etsy.com/ReclecticGoods
Facebook.com/HappyTailsPetBakeryICT

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping! Do you have a favorite ICT artisan? Share their information in the comments below.