Come join us for a handful of lovely Market days this year in 2022
( MAY 22nd, AUG 21st, NOV 13th and DEC 11th) 
These Markets are filled with handcrafted items
that are made to perfection from local Makers, Artists and
Creators. Lets Meet these amazing Makers now. 

Would you like to become a
Makerspace market vendor?
Fill out your 2022 Application HERE

MAY-AUG-NOV-DEC

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Dustin Swiers started glass lampworking back in 2008 when he moved to Mankato for schooling. Swiers received two degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a BFA and an MA, both focused on ceramics and sculpture. He created Flame in Hand Glass as the sole proprietor in 2010. Swiers has moved his studio set-up to work out of the non-profit  Mankato MakerSpace, so he can be accessible to teach classes and create while volunteering his time as a Shop Lead. Dustin's work ranges from functional to decorative, blending disciplines of Lampworking, Off- Hand Glassworking and Stained glass techniques with Metalworking, Electroplating and Lapidary to create jewelry, custom blades, vessels and sculptures.

“As with many artists, the process is what keeps me engaged and pushes me to make. My greatest pursuit is discovery in the act of creating; simultaneously learning about my materials, craft, and self.” Dustin Swiers

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Website:https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlameInHandGlass

MAY-AUG-NOV-DEC

I have been making pottery at the Makerspace for just over a year. Prior to my time here, I had two years of pottery instruction in highschool. I originally joined the Makerspace because I was craving a creative outlet and had been itching to get back behind the pottery wheel since I graduated high school 10 years ago. As a stay-at-home-mom to three young children, it feels as if I live my life in a state of constant multitasking. My Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Makerspace have become a very important part of my weekly routine. It's a time for me decompress, relax, and focus my energy on one singular task. For me, pottery is a process driven art medium. I love making new forms on the wheel and experimenting with added textures and carving and glazes. The finished product is more than the product itself but really the journey it took to get there. Being able to sell the things I make is just the cherry on top of the whole artistic process for me. If you happen to find a pot that you love, I hope it brings you as much joy as the process of making it brought me

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www.etsy.com/shop/CozyDevotions

DEC

Miranda Bunde is a Mankato native that creates handmade stained glass panels and sun catchers. After being introduced to stained glass during a high school art class, she has continued to pursue and hone her technique and style, initially utilizing glass passed down from her great grandfather. Miranda enjoys utilizing different glass textures, and she layers snake skin and dried flowers between pieces of glass to give it more texture and dimension.

MAY-AUG 

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I'm a fifth generation blacksmith who started learning metal working at the age of 8. I am also an award winning costume designer who works with a wide array of materials.

Living in Texas making beaded jewelry for many years I was ready for a change. Moving to MN, I got here as soon as I could, metalsmithing became my passion. As an artist, working with metals to create shapes, textures, 3D techniques and colors is very appealing. I love pounding on metal!!!! Using recycled materials, such as coins, vintage elements, adds another dimension. As an instructor, introducing students to the tools, metals, torches is very satisfying. Hopefully, you'll like my jewelry and much as I like making it!

MAY-AUG

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I love gemstones. I started loving them when I went to Hazelden in November of 2010. My counselor told me that I needed to start expressing myself with something artful. Being a nurse my whole life. I hadn't explored anything "artsy". After completing treatment, I moved into a sober house (I was 40 years old) and the owner was a jewelry maker. She took her time and showed me how to make earrings to start and then moved on to wrap bracelets. The reason I named my company "Jittery Jewels" is because my sober house owner and I would go out for coffee and then make jewelry. Hence, I named it "Jittery Jewels". I've been in recovery for 12 years. Making jewelry was a HUGE part of that.

MAY-AUG-NOV-DEC

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I make organic, minimal ingredient personal care products. I make the products that I use, and I started making these products initially because I could never find products that met my standards. I'm allergic to so many things, and most products I've tried in my life make my skin react violently, usually accompanied by sneezing and other allergy symptoms that come about from synthetic scents and questionable ingredients. I want to be in control of what I put on my skin and in my body, but everything seemed to have fillers, or toxic substances that I did not want in a product. All of my recipes and blends are my own. They have all been tweaked and perfected over the years of making them for my own use and for my family. Every ingredient has a purpose, every ingredient is high quality, and everything is formulated for sensitive skin types. From lotions, to soaps, balms, aromatherapy rollers, bath soaks, essential oil soy candles and more, I've got something for everyone.

MAY- AUG- 

Ernie Harris is a self-taught woodworker. His love of cribbage got him started in creating cribbage boards. He then started making trivets and canes. Ernie also reclaims lumber to make wooden canes & has made and given over 30 canes to people in need using unique wood species like diamond willow, ironwood, persimmon, and elm. Ernie moved to Mankato from Michigan four years ago and uses woodworking to keep busy.

 NOV, DEC

I am a ceramic and textile mixed media artist. I recently graduated with a Master of Fine Art from Southern Illinois University in ceramics. I use primarily clay and textiles in my work and try to merge them every chance I get. The duality of hard and soft materials has always been compelling as it relates to many other applications of daily life. I find inspiration from the knick-knacks of my family home as well as patterns found in nature. My work varies from recognizable objects to formal shapes and textures, I make varying forms as a way to bounce ideas off each other and continue having fun while making.

AUG- NOV- DEC

I'm a life-long crafter and a recently retired preschool teacher. During the pandemic, I taught myself to do macrame and found that I really enjoy it. It's actually very meditative. I began by creating plant hangers, but moved onto so much more -- wall hangings, coasters, key chains, Christmas ornaments, etc. I enjoy the challenge of trying something new and seeing the result, especially when my creations are displayed in home decor.

NOV

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Dave Johnson born and raised in southern Minnesota.  After 40+ years working in manufacturing and now retired took a trip out West and became interested in antler décor/creations.  He used antler sheds to make his designs.  During another trip out West Dave became interested in jewelry-making using vintage silverware.  Since vintage silverware doesn’t appeal to some people, Dave can take the old family pieces and give new life to it in the form of bracelets, necklaces and rings.  There’s something very enjoyable about wearing jewelry from the box of silverware your grandma or mother had.

Dave is self-taught with his designs leaning on his manufacturing background.  He looks forward to meeting you at Makerspace Market.

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AUG

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Hi, I’m ARK! An African American artist from Monticello, MN. I moved to Mankato a year ago to focus on my painting techniques and personal growth—and ended up finding an amazing community of makers who support one another. I am a mostly self-taught artist in pursuit of a master’s in art therapy. A lot of my inspiration stems from the therapeutic process of expressing oneself. I believe the choice to create, is a bold and courageous act of self-love that everyone should endeavor.

AUG

 I like to make things….all the time. I mostly like to create things that involve patterns in some way shape or form, and most things I make have a cultural component to them. For me art making is a meditative process. There is something about the repetition that is found in patterns that make me happy. Most recently I have been making seed bead earrings, but I also create dot mandalas and knit amongst other things

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NOV

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artoftheearth.org

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I find inspiration in nature. Through my art, I strive to capture its emotion and bring more beauty into this world.

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MAY

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Amy Gregg is the Minnesota Book Award-nominated author of Relic Chosen: Magic and Madness from North Star Press. She is also the author of Through the Woods and Next Weekend, from Lulu Publishing. She began her writing journey in middle school and never thought to stop. Save for those four years while attending Concordia University, St. Paul to get her B.A. in Psychology. And that handful of years to start a family. Somewhere in there, she sleeps. When not writing she enjoys watching movies, reading, spending time with family, and spirited discussions of all things Marvel. A native Minnesotan who grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, this “city girl” lives with her daughter and 15lb cat west of the Twin Cities. Amy is currently working on a rural cozy mystery series soon to be released from Fox Pointe Publishing.

MAY-AUG-NOV-DEC

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Kendrick is an aerosol mural artist and over all Maker. You have probably seen quite a few of his works around Mankato! He is indeed  one of the founders of the Mankato Makerspace, and  he oversees  our finishing / paint room as a Shop Lead. He has recently been working on  the Glowforge at the space to make wooden  ornaments, magnets. jewelry, wall hangings and wall plates.

"I work all day and burn all night... Blue Collar Burns"

DEC

I started making pottery about a year ago after taking a beginner pottery class at Makerspace! I enjoy the the challenge of creating items that are functional and interesting to look at. I am inspired by all the makers and artists that I work around and hope that reflects in what I present! Cheers!

NOV- DEC

The medium I use is everything in nature. I do driftwood nature & Native Beings. And Painted stones. I love the Driftwood Nature Beings. They all come from the Mississippi river and take on their own personalities as they come to life. I gather all the materials that I use to make my creations, so I have a hand in it through the whole process.♥️

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www.aligningthesoul.com

DEC

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Stained glass is something I started in high school when my dad said, “You need a hobby.” I’ve created at least a handful of pieces each year for more than 20 years. I love Frank Lloyd Wright’s window designs — who felt stained glass windows should frame nature and were meant to be looked through. I think the best quality of glass is its color, followed by its texture. Mostly, I use the copper foil method, but periodically work with lead came.

MAY-AUG-NOV

100% homegrown corn fed Minnesota maker! I make (or at least attempt to) a large variety of things from weapons to instruments to visual art. Whatever I find interesting that month is what you’ll find me working on! No official training mostly self taught with some help from friends.

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MAY-AUG

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I am recently retired from teaching which gives me a lot of time on my hands. So, I decided to put those hands to work on crafting items for sale. Crafting as a hobby has always been my passion from handmade jewelry, crochet and knit, to large home renovations. All of my items are made with love and care. As I am just starting out, my inventory is limited to mostly crocheted items such as bulky blankets, beanies, scarves, pillows, etc. but will be expanded over time. All items carry my special brand and can be personalized just for you and your preferred taste. Stop by my booth to see for yourself the quality of craftmanship put into each item.

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http://cindyshandcraftedgifts.com/