Makers You Need to Know in Auburn-Opelika
In a world where just about anything is an Add to Cart and 2-day shipping away, it’s easy to forget the joy of supporting small businesses. Artisans pour their heart and soul into their wares, and the care and attention to detail that each maker puts into their craft shows in the quality of the product they create. If you’re looking to invest in superior products, look no further than these three makers in Auburn-Opelika.
Emma Jane Designs
Maker Emma Jane Hunt started her company when she was just 16 years old after realizing a void in the accessories category: jewelry that would stand the test of time – both in design and quality. So Emma Jane Designs was born. With a philosophy of high-quality and sustainable fashion, Emma Jane Designs focuses on versatile style, promoting the dignity of humanity, creating jobs, and empowering women. They take great pride in sourcing the best materials to create the best product. Each piece is made by hand in the studio by a team of designers using 14k gold-filled, 14k rose gold-filled, and sterling silver wire and chain with semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls. The outcome is a line of pieces that are equally stunning and timeless.
Website: Emma Jane Designs
The locAL Market
The locAL Market celebrates all things locally made. It was opened to highlight high-quality Alabama makers and to give them a platform to show and sell their handmade or homegrown products. Artisans, potters, painters, musicians, farmers, and more feature their products at The locAL market. Throughout the year, you’ll find special events like Meet the Makers nights, local bridal shows, holiday events, and more. Classes are also available, and some examples include after-school art courses in mixed media, watercolor basics, and even a Christmas card calligraphy crash course.
Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm or by appointment
Location: inside J&M Bookstore 115 S College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Website: The Local Market Auburn
Sure, you can make your purchases from big box stores or get them in your hands in two days with one click, but are you making a quality purchase? It’s important to consider the process it took to create your products and the people who were affected by it. We think Michael Stricklin says is perfect, “Even if you decide not to purchase from us, we hope that you will purchase with a purpose from makers, from artists, and from average Joes just chasing their dreams and living life by their own terms.”
When you get your products from makers like Loyal Stricklin, Emma Jane Designs, and those artisans featured at The LocAL Market, you’re making an investment in someone’s dreams, you’re bettering the world, and you’re getting a high-quality product. That’s a win-win-win if we’ve ever heard one!
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