Q&A: Rust Belt Market Puts Spotlight on Artists

The Rust Belt Market, a market for artists and artisans, will open its doors for the first time from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday inside the former Old Navy Outlet building at 22801 Woodward Ave.

More than 60 artists will participate in the opening. Ferndale Patch caught up with a few to talk about their work and why they've hooked up with the Rust Belt.

Shannon Smith of FeatherHeart Trading Co.

Ferndale Patch: What products are you selling?

Shannon Smith: I operate under a true "trading company" umbrella.  I make handmade, organic plant-based body products, organic teas, nature-inspired jewelry and sell vintage clothing and housewares. My hope is that I will offer something for everyone.

Ferndale Patch: How long have you been making these products?

Smith: I am a trained herbalist and nutritionist, and I have been making and using my own body products and making my own medicinal teas for about eight years. The desire came from wanting to create products that are chemical-free and promote health and well-being. After studying holistic nutrition for two years, it became clear to me that what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. 

Knowing this, the question becomes why in the world would anyone want to absorb the chemicals that are in most body products? I have a simple philosophy: If you don't know what it is and you can't pronounce it, maybe you shouldn't put it in or on your body. 

As far as my jewelry line goes, I started tooling leather and making leather products about six years ago. I've always been attracted to beautifully made leather wallets, purses and belts, and the desire to learn the trade came about in wanting to preserve and carry on the tradition.

I learned leathercraft from a group of Vietnam vets who patiently taught me as they recalled stories of their youth. This is the kind of spoken lore and craft that will be lost if we don't take the time to learn from our elders and preserve the traditions.

Because it takes so long to tool and craft leather products and because the finished product of this type of craftsmanship can be costly for people to purchase, once I learned the trade, I began to look at other ways to use leather. My jewelry line was spawned from the desire to create handcrafted leather and nature-inspired items at affordable prices. I starting attaching crystals that I dug and gems that my brother finished to leather and chain, and my jewelry line was born.

Ferndale Patch: What was your inspiration behind creating your works?

Smith: My inspiration is the desire to preserve craft and tradition, while at the same time affectionately using what Mother Nature provides. Everything I make has roots in the nature, and I always strive to keep my projects sustainable with respect to the environment. In addition, I have always loved vintage clothing and vintage housewares. For me, the idea of offering vintage along with handmade items pairs perfectly together, as I am offering what is provided naturally, as well as what has already been made and provided. It's a true contract with the Earth.

Ferndale Patch: How did you become involved with the Rust Belt Market?

Smith: I became involved the moment I read about it in Crain's Detroit Business. I contacted (owners) Tiffany and Chris (Best) immediately. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. 

Ferndale Patch: Why do you think the market is important?

Smith: Not only does it give talented artists and artisans in the Detroit area an avenue to display and sell their crafts, but it is a model for the type of community building and financial exchange that I believe is our future.  

Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio

Ferndale Patch: What products are you selling?

Melanie Brooks: I am planning to present an "Artisan Beadworks" display filled with my own handcrafted Earthenwood Studio brand porcelain beads and pendants, along with handmade craft supplies from other American and local artists and recycled, unusual and vintage jewelry components. The goal is to provide new and experienced beading artists with unique materials and casual instruction for their jewelry-making needs.

Ferndale Patch: How long have you been making these products?

Brooks: I have been a ceramic artist making jewelry components for more than 10 years. I have been self-employed and living off of my artworks for many of those years.

Ferndale Patch: What was your inspiration behind creating your works?

Brooks: I love working with clay and making jewelry, so those two loves came together in my lines of ceramic jewelry components. I am currently inspired by industrial and urban elements and steampunk and geek culture. 

While I do make and sell finished jewelry, my passion is for selling the handmade components to other artists and seeing what they make with them. I see it as a collaborative effort. My Rustbelt Market booth will allow me to expand these collaborations by providing a regular space where I can teach and demonstrate to new jewelry artists.

Ferndale Patch: How did you become involved with the Rust Belt Market?

Brooks: (Owners) Chris and Tiffany (Best) contacted me after seeing my booth at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair. I immediately fell in love with the concept of Rust Belt Market and thought it would be an ideal place for me to work on a longtime dream to open a bead store, but on a smaller scale that is more realistic for me at this time.

Ferndale Patch: Why do you think the market is important?

Brooks: I think the market will provide an excellent opportunity for new and seasoned artists to make sales and connections and showcase their artworks. I think it will be an idea place for established artists like me, who want to have a regular space to sell and meet new customers.

Stephanie Whitfield of Salikas' Handcrafted Jewels

Ferndale Patch: What products are you selling?

Stephanie Whitfield: I design, create and sell exquisite sterling silver jewelry adorned with precious and semiprecious gemstones and Swarovski crystals.

Ferndale Patch: How long have you been making these products?

Whitfield: I've been making jewelry and other items for quite a number of years now. I started out designing and handcrafting jewelry initially for family and friends as a hobby.

Several years ago, I shared a studio in an art gallery for about three years, mainly exhibiting at the gallery's various events. I've always known that I would one day incorporate this activity into a full-time endeavor once I retired.

Being involved in a major car accident, the subsequent recovery and physical therapy, return to work and then exacerbation of back problems, nerve damage and chronic pain issues resulted in my having to medically leave my job permanently. In the time it took me to get my Social Security (3½ years) and my employer's continual denial of a medical disability, it nearly devastated me financially.

While I continue to deal with my disability, creating provides me the inspiration to carry on as I continue medical treatments, physical therapy, etc. It helps to calm my nerves when dealing with the various stressors that accompanied my life since my accident, but more than anything, it warms my heart to see the smiles of people who love and appreciate my artistic flair.

Ferndale Patch: What was your inspiration behind creating your works?

Whitfield: My daughter, Salika, for whom my business is named. She is the light of my life and, for most of my adult life, the inspiration for everything I do. 

In addition to that, I am a huge fan of repurposing. I refer to myself as an environmentalist because of the fire I have for doing something, anything to help save our planet. Recycling has always been important to me, and we need to each do our part to stop the wastefulness that impacts environmentally on us all. I like to incorporate this notion into my creative process. Not only is it possible to recycle aluminum and plastic, but people have also started recycling precious metals to preserve the Earth and eliminate the need for further mining operations.

Ferndale Patch: How did you become involved with the Rust Belt Market?

Whitfield: I read about this project via many online notifications. Also, while showcasing at a recent event, a couple who were admiring my work said, “You need to be at the Rust Belt!” The gentleman gave me a business card for the market, and I went home that evening and applied online.

The next day, I drove over to Ferndale — unannounced, mind you — and met with (owners) Chris and Tiffany (Best). Upon approaching the door off the parking lot, I started to introduce myself when Tiffany said, “You're Stephanie.” I was surprised and asked if she was clairvoyant of something. Tiffany stated that she had received my online application and had visited my upcoming website and Facebook pages. She also was a fan of my work, having seen my work at the People's Art Festival. I love Chris and Tiffany.

Ferndale Patch: Why do you think the market is important?

Whitfield: For so many reasons. This new market, basically an artist incubator business where artisans can make money and where new Michigan-based businesses can start or add to sales, helps to facilitate the creative culture in this area. This is going to be an amazing opportunity for local artists like me to create, exhibit, sell and interact with fellow artisans and (the) community on a grander scale. Not only is this going to be a powerful tool for selling my jewelry and accessories, it is also going to be an invaluable resource for inspiration, networking, marketing and expanding my customer and clientele base.

This new artistic project also fits in well with Ferndale's and the surrounding communities' creative environment and the entrepreneurial spirit that has exploded here in in recent years. There's a strong vibe in the direction of community-mindedness and support for local microbusiness, particularly in the art/craft/artisan markets. Best of all, consumers are looking to buy local artists' creations. People are tired of the same old mass-produced products, highly priced, less quality and — not surprising to many — mostly not made in America.

Sarah Lapinski of Wound Menswear LLC

Ferndale Patch: What products are you selling?  

Sarah Lapinski: I sell menswear. I design, cut and sew collared, button-front shirts, denim, trousers, hoodies, graphic tees and blazers with amazing design details and fit. I also offer custom gear fit to you. We offer monthly sewing classes at the Motor City Sewing Design studio in Corktown.  

Ferndale Patch: How long have you been making these products?  

Lapinski: Wound Menswear was founded in October 2004. It began very innocently with deconstructing and reconstructing vintage finds and has increased in complexity. Over the years, I taught myself the ins and outs of garment design, production and manufacturing, traveling to garment districts in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and Toronto, attending industry trade shows and contract sewing for other businesses.

Ferndale Patch: What was your inspiration behind creating your works?  

Lapinski: Making men look good. I think fashion should take you somewhere else while making you more confident, independent and authentic. I like to design with attitude. Architecture and nature are great inspiration for design tricks and curves. Some of my favorite designers make almost unwearable clothes.

Ferndale Patch: How did you become involved with the Rust Belt Market?

Lapinski: I keep my ear to the ground. I hate being left out; even if I wasn't a participant, I'd want to be able to share it.

Ferndale Patch: Why do you think the market is important?

Lapinski: I think this a great, creative reuse of space and very relevant to today's situation. Support your community, buy unique pieces that mean something, save on shipping and lessen that carbon footprint.