From home to market
Local artisans skillfully create one-of-a-kind products
By Sonia Duggan
In a world full of mass-produced goods, there’s something special about giving a gift that’s truly one-of-a-kind. For those seeking more meaningful options, local artisans offer handcrafted items that not only make a statement but also support the creative spirit of small businesses.
As these makers transition from farmers markets to holiday shows, their unique products—intricate glasswork, decorative tiles, candles, wood products for people and pets and soothing goat milk soap—provide a personal touch to gift-giving, perfect for those looking to add a little heart to the holidays.
In this issue, we talked to five local creators, all with a unique skillset, about their products, their inspiration, where you can find them and much more.
Get Lit Creative Candles, Lavon
Owners: Cindi and Stephen Roberts
How long have you been in business?
We started making candles as a hobby and for friends and family over a year ago. We went to our first market on Mother’s Day this year.
How many people are involved?
Just my husband Stephen and I
What types of products do you sell?
We sell candles made to look and smell like alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, such as margaritas, martinis, pina coladas and bourbons as well as cokes, coffees, hot chocolates and desserts. We also like to re-purpose wine and liquor bottle for candles. I purchase most of my glassware from thrift shops, garage sales and marketplace as well so I can pass the savings on to the purchaser. Our motto is reduce, reuse and recycle!
What inspired you?
I made a margarita candle for a co-worker at my regular job and the enthusiastic response from everyone who saw it encouraged us to try to make a business around the idea of making candles that look like the real thing.
What is your favorite product(s)?
The margaritas. A lot of detail goes in to making one look real.
Do you make anything special for the holidays?
We try to add something different for each holiday or season such as eggnog for Christmas and pumpkin for fall.
Where do you sell your products? Any upcoming markets?
At local farmers and vendor markets, particularly Wylie, Sachse, Rockwall, Plano and McKinney.
Upcoming markets: Rosini’s Vineyard, Nov. 17, Heath Holiday Market, Nov. 23, Wylie Arts Festival, Dec. 7, McKinney Makers Market, Dec. 14.
Follow Get Lit Creative Candles on Facebook or email Cindi at [email protected]
Petite Reverie Farm, Wylie
Owner: Lianne Crawford
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been doing goat’s milk soap for just over two years. This is my first year of seriously doing vendor events and promoting my products. Last year, I was dipping my toe in and figuring things out, mostly selling to my friends and neighbors
How many people are involved?
While I am the sole employee of my company, it really takes my whole family and then some in the journey to the end product. My husband helps with the heavy lifting, animals, set up at vendor events, childcare and much more while I focus on my customers.
My mom helps label and package my products and helps me sell at my vendor events. My dad always comes to help break down my vendor events and picks up feed for our animals. My friend Amanda also steps in and helps me sell at vendor events from time to time and she is my main source of feedback.
What types of products do you sell?
I currently sell goat’s milk soap and lotion, tallow lip balms and homemade soap dishes. My soap is not like the “melt and pour” soap where you buy a brick of soap already made and melt it down. I use my special formula of different types of oils and goat milk at specific ratios to get the right amount of cleanliness, foaminess and rehydrating feeling.
What inspired you?
Initially, I got my first dairy goat, Raven, and I wanted my family to drink her milk to help us get good gut bacteria and live a healthier lifestyle. However, her milk was very “goat tasting” and none of us could stomach it! Then, I got the idea to start making soap. I had been trying to lower my plastic usage and choose products without all the unnecessary and harmful chemicals and ingredients and homemade soap was my answer to one of my problems.
I started making goat’s milk lotion because my son gets lots of mystery rashes. He’s got sensitive skin and it was so hard to find a good lotion also without all the “junk” in it!
What is your favorite product(s)?
Definitely my soaps. I love getting ideas for a beautiful soap and making that first cut and seeing that it turned out just as good as I had hoped. It doesn’t always happen! Sometimes colors don’t stay the right color after the soap chemical reaction (saponification) happens, or I poured it at the wrong consistency and it’s too thick and lumpy or too runny.
Do you make anything special for the holidays?
I currently have cute peppermint candy shaped goats milk soaps! I will also have lumps of charcoal soap that I will be selling as “Lumps of Coal” for those who have made the naughty list.
Where can individuals find your products? Any upcoming markets?
Send me a message at [email protected] or on Facebook to get the free shipping code and arrange a pickup/drop off. Also, visit petitereveriefarm.com.
Find us at Bozman Farms Holiday Craft Fair in Wylie, Nov 9; The Wylie East Booster Club Merry Marketplace, Nov 16 and the Wylie Arts Festival,
Dec 7.
Katy Tiles, Inc., Rowlett
Owner: Katy Imhoff
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been making tile art and trivets/hot plates since 2020
How many people are involved?
Just me, myself, and I! I’m currently in the process of hiring Brand Ambassador’s to help run some of the local markets.
What types of products do you sell?
I make handmade ceramic tile trivets/hot plates for hot dishes. These are functional decor for your home and make great gifts. They withstand over 1800º F and have a full cork backing. I have 1,000s of designs to choose from. I also make handmade mosaic tile art that I sell online and at Dulce Interior in the Arts District in Dallas. These are large wall pieces made from ceramic tiles with a custom welded frame. Each piece of art is a single image broken down into individual tiles and then reassembled into a unique piece of art for your home.
What inspired you?
Colors. I just really love bright, vibrant, bold colors. I’m also a big fan of home items having multiple purposes. With the trivets you can have a nice piece of art which you can display on a tile stand or hang a wall with a plate hanger— and when you need it you can pull it down and use it as a trivet/hot plate. It also makes gift giving super easy and I’m not a big fan of shopping. I make custom trivets as well so you can just send me a photo and voilà a personalized piece of functional home decor unique to you.
What is your favorite product(s) that you make?
That’s a hard one to answer. I really love them all, but being a dog and cat mom, I’m partial to the dog and cat trivets…especially my Cocktail Cats and Poopin’ Pups.
Do you make anything special for the holidays?
Each season I have seasonal Trivets/Hot Plates.
Where can individuals find your products? Any upcoming markets?
I sell my products online on my website, katytiles.com and on Etsy: katytiles.etsy.com. You can also find me at local farmers markets: Downtown Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Sachse, Wylie, Carrollton and Flower Mound, along with some others throughout the year. I announce on facebook.com/katytiles, which markets I’ll be attending and when.
Darte Glass, Farmersville
Owners: Sue and Brad Darte
How long have you been in business?
I [Sue] started creating fused glass when I lived in the Houston area in 2012. It was a hobby which turned into an obsession. I mostly gave away my products to friends and family, but after moving to Farmersville, I started attending events and created my own website, darteglass.com.
How many people are involved?
The joke is that I’m the artist and Brad is the Mule! He helps me setup and tear down at events, makes displays for my designs and is the mastermind behind our popular PMC150 Murrini Chopper. Only people in the glass industry could appreciate what this product does and how it saves them time and physical pain. They no longer must manually cut rods of glass with hand/tile nippers.
What types of products do you sell?
I make various products using melted glass, called fused glass. Jewelry, spoon rests, night lights, Christmas Trees, vases, wind chimes, sun catchers, yard art, wall art and much more.
What inspired you?
Often, I see something that catches my eye and think, “I wonder if I can do that in glass?” However, many times customers will ask for a specific product. They’ll see something I’ve made and ask if I can make it the same in a color that they have in their home. Other times, someone will challenge me to make something new. That is fun and frightening at the same time. It’s that fear of failing. But I try!
What is your favorite product(s) that you make?
I think because of the significance of the butterflies, I enjoy those the most. They are one of the most difficult to make and require lots of work and multiple firings. But they always turn out beautifully.
Do you make anything special for the holidays?
I make Christmas trees out of glass—some with LED lighting in the back and some with a votive tealight holder and a multicolored electronic tealight. I’ve also added a laser machine to my equipment inventory and now engrave slate coasters with holiday themes or make ornaments out of wood and even engrave ornament balls.
Where can individuals find your products? Any upcoming markets?
We sell on our website at darteglass.com and we ship. We will be at the Farmersville Market, the first weekend in November and December. Also, in November, the Vintage Market Days in Alvarado, the Plano Holiday Market and the Mingle Jingle Holiday Marketplace in Fredericksburg.
Zukkos Woodworks, Royse City
Owners: Jason and Amy
How long have you been in business?
We started our business in 2021 and started doing markets January of 2022.
How many people are involved?
I [Jason] do the woodworking and Amy does all the pretty painting and designs. I am also fortunate that my in-laws (Amy’s parents) help a lot. My mother-in-law does a lot of the painting and staining and my father-in-law helps me assemble the raised dog feeders. Of course, our dogs Zukko and Parzival are our product testers for durability and effectiveness.
What types of products do you sell?
We sell handmade farmhouse decor and pet accessories. These include our raised pet feeders, kennel toppers and leash holders. We also started a “man section” which includes our man coasters, bottle openers, wine caddies and cocktail smokers.
What inspired you?
We started out of need for our own pets. When we got our new puppy, Parzival, he was struggling to keep food down. After a pricey visit to the vet, they told us we just needed to elevate his food bowl. And after hours of research, our raised dog feeders were created. Next, I created a topper that sets on top of a kennel because it seemed like every time I needed to set down my water glass, the only surface near me was the kennel. Then after making all the raised feeders we had excess wood circle cutouts — and I hated the idea of just throwing them away— so we started making trivets and the man coasters out of them. By using the scrap pieces, we can minimize any wasted wood.
What is your favorite product(s) that you make?
I love making custom products for customers. Getting to bring their ideas to life is always exciting for me.
Do you make anything special for the holidays?
We try to always add a little something to our product lines for each holiday. Right now, we have some fall pumpkin door hangers and Christmas we add a few Christmas ornaments and tabletop decor along with some more seasonal door hangers.
Where can individuals find your products? Any upcoming markets?
We sell all our products at markets in the DFW area as well as Canton First Monday Trade Days, Etsy, and on our website: zukkoswoodworks.com
We will also be at First Monday Trade Days in Canton for both the November and December markets, as well as Heart of Melissa in November and the Dec. 7 Wylie Arts Festival.