I use borosilicate glass rods and manipulate them within a stationary bench torch. I also use real Gold and Silver to create different colors and effects

My passion for hot sauces started when I first tried some hot sauce when I was 7 years old. I loved the flavor of it so much, I decided to make some for my dad's upcoming birthday. After a quick glance at the back of the ingredients label, I set out into the family garden to gather the ingredients, threw them together in a food processor, and blended them up. That year, dad received a bottle of vinegar with pepper chunks floating in it. Undeterred, I set out and tried again, and after a trial-and-error period of 3 years, I created a hot sauce that was "pretty much perfect". When my father tried it, he exclaimed it was so amazing that I could sell it! In the Spring of 2012, Nicolai Amende Signature Hot Sauces was established, and continues to produce gourmet-style hot sauces to this day!

Aaron is a mental health therapist by day and a ceramicist by nights and weekends. Half of his ceramic work is wheel-thrown, and he likes to focus on form diversity, preferring to keep each piece unique and rarely replicating forms. The other half of his work involves ceramic printmaking with plants. He likes to use plants from his garden and neighborhood, and through printmaking, he enjoys studying the diverse compositions of plants and how clay captures intricate details and textures.

My name is Xochi and I've been drawing my whole life. I started with notebooks full of scribbles and inventions, and ended up here, still scribbling but turning them into stickers and buttons instead. I wholeheartedly believe art is something to be shared with everyone, and also something you make for yourself first. My favorite things to draw are people and faces, and invent new monsters or deities. In addition to digital and traditional drawing, I like to paint and crochet.

Christina Donley is an illustrator and printmaker from Saint Peter, MN. She received a Bachelors in Art and Interdisciplinary Design from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Her work spans a variety of subjects, often whimsical and cartoonish in nature. She enjoys creating detailed works, with lots of things to look at. It inspires her to bring others joy and excitement through her art. She sells prints of her illustrations, as well as fun stickers of her designs. She also screen prints t-shirts and illustrations.

Hello and welcome to Imaginarium Designs. I am a mild-mannered college instructor by day and a maker by night. I grew up believing that creativity was something you were born into. About 10 years ago, I started taking art classes at South Central College and found that I loved painting dots. I started with small canvases and expanded to jewelry and then any item that acrylic paint would adhere to. I scour thrift stores for boxes, canvases, letters, and anything else that might be interesting to paint. I love giving discarded items a new lease on life. I now believe that anyone can be creative. They just need to explore different mediums and give themselves time to build some decent skills. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You just have to give it a try.

Although I didn’t make a full time career of it until my early 30’s, my life has always revolved around art. I started in my adolescent years filling every notebook with doodles and cartoons. I soon graduated to acrylic painting which led me to my truelove, watercolors. Fast forward to today, I’m now teaching watercolors across Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa in various art and/or community education centers. I believe art is just as important to small communities as it is to larger cities. Since being diagnosed with various spine and spinal cord diseases in 2023, it’s been my personal goal to create as much and teach as much as possible. If life has taught me anything, it’s that art has always been my constant. My go-to in times of stress, happiness and pain. I hope to help others find peace through art as well.

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 feature of glass is its color, followed by its texture. Mostly, I use the copper foil method, but periodically work with lead came.

Hi! My name is Garrett, and I specialize in a couple mediums. I have a plethora of blacklight reactive stretched canvas work, as well as a large inventory of tie-dye apparel. Whether you want to wear the art, or be interactive with it, come find me!

I’m Andie Kukacka, lifelong Minnesota rockhound, gem & mineral collector, and developing lapidary artist. I love sharing my stone and other natural material findings with my community, and find joy in bringing the beauty of semi-precious gemstones to light. I take pride in collecting many of my local materials myself from their natural sources, and take care to be transparent about how and where I source my materials from abroad. Whether sourcing stones from other miners and collectors, I hand select each stone for its uniqueness and quality. I’ve been teaching myself a variety of lapidary skills for 5+ years, and have recently expanded into bezel setting my own works. I’m personally drawn to agates and jaspers as some of my favorite stones.

As an artists who is self taught I have a love of all things creative. Nature is very inspiring to me and is often part of art. Currently, I am working in resin with real flowers embedded in layers of colored resins. I like reinventing new art pieces using old elements such as old frames, glass pieces, etc. I also like to employ new techniques such as laser cutting/engraving on wood and incorporating that with the resin.
My grandfather was a master carpenter and wood continues to inspire me throughout career as well. If it hadn't for him I may never have experienced the love of making and creating.

Hayden Camelot Kaleda is an artist and graphic designer originally from Rapid City, SD, who graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from Black Hills State University in May 2023. Currently, Cam is living in Minnesota and is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Windom Area Health.

Cam's current series of artwork combines serigraphy, mixed-media painting, collage, and sculptural elements into works that embody the messiness of living. Their practice currently investigates how the personal becomes archival—how private histories, often unspoken, emerge in the wake of crisis. They have extensive experience with digital media, self-teaching Photoshop and video editing since middle school, and has developed graphic design skills through their college education.

When I was little, I loved to doodle and would draw houses or superheroes. I also would trace drawings that I liked , but never felt satisfaction since it was not my own work. As I got older, I improved my artistic techniques by teaching myself different fundamentals like, shading, lighting, and drawing heads. At this point, I started to feel good about my art...but there was one thing missing... imagination. After searching on YouTube, I was inspired by an amazing traditional media artist by the name of "Akihito Yoshitomi". As I started learning frames and basics from this artist, I gradually shaped my frame (witch is a way of mimicking bones in the body with basic shapes) and got better and better, to the point where i can now add my own imagination. I like to work on meaningful art that you can't really see the meaning in, but to find it from your own point of view, and also anything that interests me like, character designing, gothic Victorian dresses, and out of the box art done in traditional media.

Wild Essence is a heart-led cottage food brand based in Le Sueur County, creating adaptogenic electuaries and superfood chocolate bars that blend herbal alchemy with everyday nourishment. Each creation is crafted in small batches using local honey, organic raw cacao, and 8 functional mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps — all chosen for their ability to support immune & inflammation resilience, brain health, and long-term vitality.

Every chocolate bar is made without sugar, dairy, soy, or fillers — just wholesome, synergistic superfoods. The healthy fats in cacao act as the perfect carrier for the body to fully absorb the nutrients from our proprietary 8-mushroom adaptogenic blend.

Wild Essence is co-created by partners Taylor and Griff, who share a passion for holistic wellness and intentional living. Griff, the maker and electuary creator, has been developing his honey-based recipe for over eight years, inspired by his father’s journey with bladder cancer. His father has now been in remission for six years and continues to use the electuary daily to support vitality and wellbeing — a living testament to the healing potential of nature’s medicine.

Taylor, a self-taught maker, certified breathwork facilitator, and sound healer, brings her background in holistic health, ritual, and sensory healing to the brand. Alongside the edible creations, she also crafts Soul Scents — a line of ritual mists that double as body and room sprays, made without artificial fragrance. Each blend is designed to ground, uplift, and restore balance through the senses, and is used in Taylor’s breathwork and sound healing sessions to help participants relax and reconnect to presence.

Together, Wild Essence and Soul Scents invite you to reconnect with nature’s medicine, awaken your senses, and bring balance, vitality, and ritual into everyday life — in a way that feels consciously indulgent.

I became hooked on wood turning after taking a weekend class with Jim Sannerud at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN, about 16 years ago. Jim introduced me to “green turning”, the process of turning bowls from wood that has not completely dried. I am inspired by the book, Celebrating Birch: The Lore, Art and Craft of an Ancient Tree (North House Folk School)

My bowls are a reflection of my philosophy and work. I love how they change shape as they dry after turning. While I strive for consistency, each bowl is unique and “moves” as it desires. My bowls and spoons are functional, natural, durable, food-safe, hand crafted, and beautiful, as the projects in Celebrating Birch demand.

Caleb Stoner is an artist, blacksmith, jeweler, lapidarist, and all around maker. He creates a variety of works spanning an expansive range of subjects, both functional and aesthetic, employing many mediums he has learned over his years as a maker.

He likes to create unique handmade pieces using multiple materials such as various metals, wood, stone, and other periodic elements. Almost all of Caleb's work has elements of "from scratch" or self gathered materials. Caleb pays keen attention to the minute details that all together create pieces that are intricate and interesting to look at.

Metaphysical jewelry. Weaving Love and Light into Copper and various Stones and Crystals to create joy.

I started making pottery about three years ago after taking a beginner pottery class at Makerspace! I enjoy 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!

Handmade jewelry of all types made from vintage silverware. I get excited about seeing how vintage material is re-purposed.

Since Mary Ann Schwartz was a small girl, she has been playing in the mud. Once grown, she was given the opportunity to pursue formal training at the University of WI Parkside, in Kenosha, WI; in 2006 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) focused on ceramics and fibers. After assisting in the opening of a ceramics studio at Lemon Street Gallery, She taught ceramics at the RAM Wustum Museum of art in Racine, WI and local galleries. Working on various custom and personal works, both functional and sculptural, has been rewarding.
After relocating to Mankato, MN in 2024, Mary Ann joined the Mankato Makerspace. She enjoys the process of making vessels that can be touched, held, and interacted with; finding their way into daily rituals; so personal, primal and intimate for each of us. Each vessel is an invite to connect. The touch of the human hand forming the clay reaches out and touches another human hand utilizing the same vessel.

My name is Signe Jane (they/them) and I am a queer artist from Southern Minnesota. I paint, collage, make zines, sew and embroider, write, do digital art, and have recently started to challenge myself with creating sculptural work. I make art because I believe making art is part of being human and it is a powerful tool for social change. My work explores the intersections of political and personal themes, color and texture as emotions, and often uses imagery from nature. I am primarily self/community taught with just a few college art classes under my belt.

Hi there! My name is Emily, the artist behind the adorable creations at Stitches By Em. I picked up the crochet hook in 2022 and haven't really put it down since. I am a self taught crochet artist specializing in all things soft, tiny and adorable! My work is carefully stitched with love and can be customized to fit nearly any idea you may have! What makes me the most excited about crochet is how satisfying it is to see each stitch come together to make something amazing. I take great pride in my work, come see for yourself!

I am a painter living in Mankato, MN with my husband and two cats. I graduated from MSU with a BFA and an MA degree and went on to get my Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Dakota. I now teach painting at MSU as an adjunct instructor.
I work in a lot of different media and do commissions ranging from traditional portraits to book illustration to wood burning. But my first love is painting. The work I sell at the markets are original paintings in ink. I begin with an abstract process of pouring ink with rubbing alcohol and then paint highly detailed scenes from nature into them. They are a representation of the human impact on nature. I almost always approach a sensitive topic with a little humor, so the natural imagery is often paired with a bit of trash or a human element that speaks about our impact on the environment.
I also sell prints, merchandise, cards, jewelry, and stickers!

I will start out telling you why I make the things that I do. It gives my brain an outlet for all the ideas that run around in there. I love making things with my hands, sewing, cross stitch, hardanger, painting, macrame, making jewelry, stained glass-- the list goes on. I have never meet a craft that I haven't wanted to try. Some don't work out others I continue to work on and become more skilled at using the x-tool with wood cutting and engraving. I have a couple of new items to share with you be sure and stop by and see me at Makers Market.

I believe that nature is the best artist, and sharing my love for insects and oddities brings me so much joy. Through delicate and meticulous craftsmanship, I create one-of-a-kind pieces that capture the beauty of nature and the smallest of lives, either through preserved butterflies, or drawings and paintings depicting natures beauty. I have been practicing art for my entire live. Most of the flowers that I use are grown in my garden and dried by me. I use real, sustainably sourced insects to create handmade art pieces and oddities. All of my insects live out their lives on a beautiful conservation farm in Arizona, only to be collected after their natural passing. The sustainable farming of butterflies aids conservation efforts by providing incentives to protect butterfly habitats and support natural biodiversity.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy my work!

We are sisters who grew up in a cozy log home nestled in the woods of Northern Minnesota, where our love for nature first took root. We started spending creative time together, and during a weekend getaway, a chance stop at a charming little shop inspired us to start making earrings. That spontaneous moment sparked Fernie—a carefree expression of our shared creativity and deep connection to nature. Now, we design handmade polymer clay earrings inspired by natural elements that bring joy.

I'm just an old retired woodworker. Most of all my pieces are one of a kinds. I like to reuse items like post from staircases or spindles for tables legs. Lately I've been enjoying mixing woods for cutting boards and charcuterie boards from hardwood flooring. Much of the wood I've used is from other old woodworkers that have passed on and left their 60 to 80 year old pieces of Walnut to a next generation. I like to mix woods with different metals like copper or black pipe.I have a small shop in St Peter next to the house I grew up in.

Hey-o it’s Kyle and you’ve entered my brain space, welcome! Here you will find the shattered shredded and dripping wet remnants of my mind attempting to realize that connection with you. I do art because it’s the first thing that gave me a semblance of meaningful release after losing my 20s to overloading my grey matter circuitry hard, and after the reboot, when nothing gave me pleasure and numb ache was all I knew, a shining pen beckoned me and took up in my hand and gushed forth upon the papers of the earth. Here are some results, enjoy!

Shelley Caldwell is a local artist who produces mixed media works on paper. Her work combines observational drawing of botanical & other subjects from nature with formal abstraction, emphasizing line, pattern, & color using a variety of processes & materials. She is an MSU, Mankato graduate with a BFA & MA in Drawing & Installation & has also taught at MNSU & Gustavus. Shelley’s work has been shown extensively throughout the region & has received grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Springboard for the Arts, & Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. Compelled by the surrounding landscape, she presently works from her family farm in Faribault County.

Shelley will be offering original works on paper, prints, and plants!

From an early age I knew two things about myself; I loved creating things, and I loved gift giving. It wasn’t until college that I realized that my fondness for baking would allow me to do both at the same time. I started my cottage food business, Happy Day Baking Co., in 2023 once we moved back to the Midwest with the goal to move away from the “special occasion” nature that bakeries have and towards the opportunity to create happiness and make every day special. I’ve narrowed my offerings a bit to the items that I most enjoy making and the ones that allow me to continue to come up with new flavor combinations/designs/etc. There’s an “over-the-top” and “extra” energy to some of the products, but I love seeing people’s faces light up when you can tell them things like “there’s a whole mini cupcake inside that cookie”. This year I’ve been really trying to focus on serving our home community by finding and creating opportunities to partner with local businesses around Mankato and the surrounding area. I’m always looking to create another #happyday !

I have been doing leather craft for more than 35 years and have been making shoes and boots for more than 20 years. I started leather craft with a kit from Tandy. I took classes at Tandy and advanced my skills with instructions from masters like Tony Laire, Jim Linnell, Peter Main, and mentor Robb Barr.
After being laid off from my job of 19 years, part of my separation package was retraining for a different career. I chose to apprentice under DW Frommer I in Redmond, IR. I learned to create cowboy boots with traditional methods. Upon returning home, I attempted to get a loan to start my own shop. While being nice, they would not grant the loan to purchase the machines I needed to make boots full time. Well, shoes and boots were made long before machines ruled the industrial world. I began researching historical footwear construction. My original focus was 1770 but rapidly expanded. Currently I make footwear from Viking Age, native moccasins, Renaissance footwear, 1800s footwear, Civil War brogans to modern shoes and boots. I hand constructed footwear and started my business part-time. I saved money and purchased old, historic machines as I could afford them, or they were given to me. Along the way I learned to use the machines and, more importantly how to recondition and fix them. Currently, I have most of the machines needed to make cowboy boots.

I have been teaching leather craft and shoe making at the Mankato Makerspace since 2017. Find my classes on their website.

I started painting to drowned out some of the negativity in the world, It makes me happy to paint; so my hope is that my paintings put a smile on at least one person’s face. Also I am inspired by natures beauty, so the majority of my paintings are flowers, rocks, landscape and water, etc.

My name is Angela Korte, I’m a self taught jewelry and fiber artist with experience and formal education in many different artistic mediums, ranging from graphic design to painting to fibers. I’ve been creative all of my life and started making jewelry at age 10 and have been crocheting for over 18 years. I take inspiration from all aspects of my life; my children, nature, and all of my experiences along the way, making wearable colorful art to be enjoyed by all ages.

I make table runner, placemats children books pillowcases baby blankets critter blankets and paper crafts. I do all my sewing of the product that I make because I enjoy sewing. I am self taught. I have make cloths when I was high school. Then I was say at Mom I make product for a consignment shop then I move started Craft show I enjoy them.