Columbia’s artisan community gathered at 701 Whaley St. Monday evening for a holiday presentation of the city’s local businesses, drawing a crowd of all ages to taste and buy all kinds of unique creations.
Hosted by Sustainable Midlands, the mission of the Buy, Eat, Experience Local event, according to their website, was to “advocate, educate, and celebrate solutions that balance the needs of the community, the environment and the economy.”
Their holiday party was complete with over 30 vendors displaying their handmade wares and foods. The aisles were chock-full of excited families who couldn’t help but inhale countless aromas and sample homemade snacks.
The vendors were showing off everything from personalized jewelry, to tiny plush toys, to freshly squeezed wines.
Excited to display her homemade candles, merchant Jennifer Davis Gerdes is a structural engineer taking a sabbatical — she indulged her creative side by founding J. Cottage Industries.
“It started as a hobby, and it just grew and grew, and now I’m making candles full time,” Gerdes said. “My favorite part is designing my own fragrances. What I really love is building a new scent that no one has ever smelled before. I use my lab experience, and I approach it very scientifically.”
Equally as proud of her wares is Angie Mellor, creator of LimeGreen, a creative collection of repurposed household items that she runs with her husband and two daughters.
“I was laid off and I was bored,” she said. “So I started making things out of my garage. I started collecting things that nobody had used and nobody wanted, like old records — we make things out of them and introduce them to new life.”
Her collection includes dog toys made from old fleece blankets, picture frames decorated with bottle caps, unused maps and computer keyboards, as well as tiny toy dinosaurs used as plant holders.
Her business even travels to local schools to do presentations.
“Kids love things that they recognize, like game pieces,” Mellor said. She aims to educate children about the simplicity and fun of repurposing and recycling.
Yet another family business selling their wares was Trail Ridge Farm and Dairy, which is run entirely by the Hammond family. They make goat cheese, fudge and candles, and all the tasks are delegated to different family members.
“It’s a family business, so one of my daughters makes her candles, the other one makes fudge, and we also make the cheese fresh every week,” said Kelly Hammond. “[My son Ethan and I] like the selling part. My wife and some of the other kids like the farm part of actually milking and taking care of the animals.”
Their farm has expanded from two goats — originally being used for a homeschool project — to about 60 goats. Their family unity has enhanced the experience of their local business.
While raising money and awareness for local businesses and green crafts, the event was a success for Sustainable Midlands.