At The Rust Belt Market: Tooth and Nail

The offers a unique experience for patrons as well as vendors. The new art market is host to more than 60 artists every weekend. Each week, Patch will feature one artist and get a closer view of what the heck they do.

Ferndale Patch: Who are you and what do you do?

Stacy Dumas: I am a Detroit artist living at Theatre Bizarre. Most of my work is wearable art made from found objects such as vintage hardware, feathers, birch bark, bone and leather. I also make a line of vintage stamp necklaces. In my shop you will find many old hidden treasures alongside a large selection of handmade jewelry. You might even come across a raccoon jawbone necklace or an old rare camera.

Ferndale Patch: How did you get your start?

Dumas: I graduated in 2005 from the College for Creative Studies and have been an active member of the Detroit artist community ever since. Detroit is an inspiring place and I'm grateful to be around others with such talent, passion and innovation.  

Ferndale Patch: What inspires you?

Dumas: I'm inspired by the inner body and how it works. Also by Detroit, a city where a perfect balance of nature and industry is taking shape. Many of the abandoned buildings have sprouted new life as plants and trees have begun growing inside them. I've been taking close watch as some of these buildings have transformed in the time I've been here.

Ferndale Patch: What is it about the Rust Belt that attracted you to it?

Dumas: The Rust Belt Market is a base for my new business, Tooth and Nail. I am there every weekend and have been since they opened. I will continue to be a permanent vendor for as long as this wacky, wonderful market thrives.

I had an independent business before the Rust Belt and it was very tough surviving as a small business on my own. The overhead costs and rent were too high to keep afloat. The idea behind the Rust Belt Market is comforting and exciting to me because we share space, keep rent down and get to work alongside other people who have similar goals and aspirations. We have a lot of fun at the market sharing ideas and collaborating efforts.

Ferndale Patch: Tell us one thing about your work that would surprise us.

Dumas: One thing that often surprises people when they come into my booth is the selection of jewelry made from animal jawbones. Another thing that may surprise them would be that when I was a child, I was a pretty good fisherman so much of my fascination with inner workings comes from when my mom and dad would clean the fish we were having for dinner. Bones have always been beautiful to me.

Tooth and Nail loves meeting customers and has a wide assortment of items at the Rust Belt Market. She is a permanent artist. If you prefer online shopping, stop by her etsy.