The Makers Hive Market Welcomes Local Small Businesses at Friendship Fest
The Makers Hive Market recently hosted its Friendship Fest at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Held on February 17, Friendship Fest contained a corner for everyone, with each vendor displaying unique goods. Live music filled the air, and the outdoorsy environment perfectly accommodated the large crowd.
The event featured over 50 artisans selling hand-made jewelry, art, books, candles, clothing, food, and other goods. Friendship Fest also offered the first 100 attendees free hot chocolate and invited everyone to visit the free friendship bracelet station.
“We had so much fun, the friendship bracelets were flowing, the vibes were immaculate,” TMHM said in a post.
The vendors’ passion, creativity, and originality create a more intimate shopping experience than any retail store. After speaking to a few vendors, each wanted to grow their businesses and share their stories.
Vendors and Performers at TMHM Friendship Fest
With a mission of ‘Community Over Competition, The Makers Hive Market website says, “We believe there is room for everyone to be successful! Our goal is to create an environment where small businesses feel safe and supported.”
Stoic Candles
Stoic Candles, founded by Oscar Martinez, displayed beautiful sculptured candles. These candles resemble religious iconography, Greek mythological figures, animals, and flowers. The high level of detail enticed attendees to admire each candle.
Martinez handcrafts these molded candles, infusing the soy wax with essential vegan and cruelty-free oils. He also sells vessel candles in various scents, such as vanilla, orange, and sandalwood.
Stoic Candles started selling products around four years ago, but Martinez says he began making candles eight years ago with his daughter. The pair bonded over crafting candles together and gifting them to family and friends throughout the years. Eventually, Martinez turned the hobby into a fully owned and operated business.
“I’m from Los Angeles, this event coordinator [TMHM] has events in LA, and I wanted to expand to other markets to get other people to know who I am,” Martinez said. His products range from $10 – $75, depending on the design of the candle.
To purchase a candle from Stoic Candles, visit Martinez’s website and Instagram.
SinCitious Treasures
SinCitious Treasures stood out from other vendors with various creepy and spooky hand-crafted items. Everything from cat toys, home decor, and dolls to keychains, wall art, and more filled every corner of the stand.
Sharice Crosby, creator of SinCitious Treasures, says she started selling her creations a little over a year ago. Crosby crafts every item by herself and sells them at affordable prices, starting at $5. Her shop caters to those who love horror movies and dark gothic aesthetics.
“I just kind of sit down with one project or sometimes just multiple projects at a time and just put things together and see what comes out!” Crosby said.
Crosby started her business after moving to Las Vegas from California. Now a regular around the city, SinCitious Treasures vends at events at Tivoli Village, the Silverton, and Uncommons. Of course, SinCitious Treasures’ website and Instagram also feature Crosby’s accessories and decor, which are available for purchase.
Style Snob and SunShanStudios
Sometimes, two businesses decide to collaborate, creating a successful partnership. That’s why Deanna Shanteau, owner and creator of Style Snob, and Shannon Perna, founder of SunShanStudios, sell their goods together.
Style Snob sells a collection of hand-picked clothing, offering appealing choices to all fashion lovers. After selecting an outfit from the boutique, customers can pick a pair of matching earrings from SunShanStudios. Shannon Perna hand-makes all her earrings with polymer clay, giving them a fun and youthful look.
“I’ve always been crafty and love working with my hands, so throughout the years, I’ve always done some sort of craft, but polymer clay I’ve been working with for the past four years,” Perna said.
Shanteau and Perna began selling their products together at markets in 2021.
“I saw [Shannon’s] stuff at a market. I was just visiting, and I thought it was unique…,” Shanteau said. “I’ve seen other girls who do polymer clay, but her stuff was very unique, and she has a lot of variety that I haven’t seen. [It’s] a more elevated style.”
Shanteau founded Style Snob after working in design and fashion throughout college and realized her love for styling. In just one month, Style Snob saw tremendous success.
“I basically put 12 grand of clothes on my credit card and paid it all off in two months and turned a profit, and I’ve been doing it ever since I was 26; I’m now 34,” Shanteau said. She added that owning a business provides her freedom to move around and attend local pop-up events.
Though Shanteau and Perna often vend together, both businesses have respective websites where people can purchase products.
Visit Style Snob’s website and Instagram to check out the featured clothing, with new items added every Sunday.
SunShanStudios’ Etsy and Instagram feature all of Perna’s jewelry.
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Alexa and Dawn
Performing at Friendship Fest
In addition to the vendors, Friendship Fest also featured live music performances. Dynamic duo Alexa and Dawn performed versions of popular songs like ‘Watermelon Sugar’ by Harry Styles and ‘Sugar’ by Maroon 5. The duo sang alongside vendors and provided entertainment for all who attended.
After meeting at an open mic at the Virgin Hotel, the two ladies began performing together a year and a half ago.
“[Dawn] hit me up one day, and she was like, ‘Would you like to do this show for my friend?’ And it ended up not working out, so then we had an idea like, ‘Why don’t we become a duo?’” Alexa said. “We just tried it out, and … ever since then, a lot has happened pretty fast, honestly.”
The two singers perform different genres such as rock, soul, R&B, pop, and island music. Alexa, being born and raised in Vegas, combined with Dawn’s background in Guam, helps diversify their sound. Moreover, their ability to relate to everybody garnered them an audience in the local scene.
“We play casinos, we play like dive bar events, community events as well, so anything that allows us to get out in front of everybody is great,” Dawn said. “So yeah, we’ve pretty much done a good amount in the last year.”
Alexa and Dawn’s Plan for the Future
Alexa and Dawn say they’ve talked about making songs together and hope to progress to that point in their careers.
“We’re just trying to get ourselves out there and get us used to playing together,” Dawn said. She added that with the two of them focused on making a name for themselves and playing together, they believe that writing music will eventually come organically.
The musical duo wishes to garner a larger audience and say it’s hard to be two women in the industry.
“We’re trying to break the stereotype because girls can do everything!” Alexa said.
To catch Alex and Dawn singing together in Vegas, follow their Instagram to see their upcoming events and performances.
#GetinMotion with The Makers Hive Market & Future Friendship Fests
Starting in 2020, TMHM focuses on uplifting small businesses and building a sense of community. Pop-up events occur frequently throughout the year in locations across Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, and Utah.
Follow TMHM on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to stay updated on upcoming events! Visit their website to see their upcoming events and apply to vend at a future market.
In addition, the next TMHM event at The District at Green Valley Ranch will be on March 16, 2024. Bring friends, family, kids, and pets! All attendees are welcome, and parking is free.
Keep an eye out for future Friendship Fests in your area!
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