Spirit Glassworks

Vendor Spotlight: Spirit Glassworks

After working many years in the restaurant industry, Melissa Joy set out to pursue a life that was more aligned with the things that made her feel inspired and happy.

“I took a job assembling glass jewelry for a local artist. The pay wasn’t much and I honestly thought it was just layover until I found something else but something very unexpected happened. I really enjoyed doing it and I was good at it.” 

She worked at the studio for a few years and eventually was set up to work from home which allowed her the creative freedom to start my own designs. “Soon I was selling my own work at craft shows and officially formed my own business.”

“In 2010, I started playing around with post consumer glass bottles. With the skills and equipment I had acquired over the years l, it just seemed natural for me to try and utilize the beautiful glass that is discarded daily by the buckets full.”

“Each bottle I use goes through a multi step process. It is cleaned and cut, broken down and separated into tops, bottoms and middle parts. It then goes through one or multiple kiln firings. I use each part for different applications in my work.”

“ I really love being able to take all this glass that may otherwise end up in a landfill and reuse it. I am proud to say that my work is Recycled, Sustainable and a true transformation from trash to treasure!”

Come see Spirit Glassworks on October 10 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)

JJ's Woodcrafts

Vendor Spotlight: JJ’s Woodcrafts

Jack Jones always loved woodworking and gardening. After retiring in 2000, he realized how many small wood scraps were left behind from various woodworking projects. That was when “JJ’s Woodcrafts” began making birdhouses from recycled materials.

Jack creates and builds birdhouses and feeders from repurposed barn wood from the 1800’s. Each house is unique and decorated with old hardware found in barns being dismantled.

Jack spends hours researching birds to learn about their living habits. Each house is built with care and creativity. As most wood is 50-200 years old it has been naturally weathered and distressed with variations in grains, knots and wear. Each house is as unique as the wood used to make it.

Come see JJ’s Woodcrafts on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)

Terraintextures

Vendor Spotlight: Terraintextures

Alyssa Cuesta has been creating handmade jewelry, paintings, and other forms of functional art containing real dried foliage and mushrooms foraged in PA since her creation of Terraintextures in 2017.

“When I find a desirable mushroom, I stop, crouch down, and scan the entire area at almost ground level to be sure I didn’t miss any other mushrooms… Especially for tiny mushrooms, once I find one I keep a really close eye on the area I found that mushroom in; kind of similar to searching for shark teeth. If there’s one there’s probably tons more. I also take advantage of my sense of smell. I can always find morels and oyster mushrooms just by smelling the air and directing myself to where the scent came from. It sounds crazy but when a scent is learned it’s easy to recognize! “

Each piece of work made by Alyssa is unique and thoughtfully designed to display a treasured, miniature environment as seen occurring naturally in nature.

Come see Terraintextures on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)

Phillip Marc Sons of Liberty

Vendor Spotlight: Philip Marc Sons of Liberty

Considering its location, there may be no more appropriate McConkey’s Market vendor than Philip Marc Sons of Liberty. Philip constructs hand painted signs that recreate iconic symbols from around the time of the American Revolution.

“We were at my brother’s house, and I was sitting across from a tavern sign my sister-in-law had just purchased at Colonial Williamsburg,” Philip says. “As someone who has always loved American history, I decided in that moment to create art inspired by that time period. I went home that night and sketched my first signboard – Ben Franklin’s ‘Join or Die’ political cartoon.”

Philip uses seven-inch tongue and groove southern Georgia heart pine floorboards as the base for his pieces, each of which is distressed to simulate age. Some have worm holes, ax markings, dents, cracked paint, and even simulated musket ball holes. 

Philip says there are many historic images that appeared around the time of the Revolutionary War that have been lost. He believes Americans should know the meaning behind these images, some of which helped to spark America’s birth. 

“My objective is to reintroduce some of these meaningful symbols as a way to educate and celebrate our national freedom,” he says.  

Come see Philip Marc Sons of Liberty on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA). 

Storcks Design

Vendor Spotlight: Storcks Design

How many concrete artists do you know? We’ll wait. 

Husband and wife team Rich and Jennifer Storcks started their hand-cast concrete business in 2017 when Rich made the first Single Cigar Ashtray, a patented concrete cigar rest and ashtray combo that is their best seller.  

“A year later we added color to the design and began our signature marbling pour, combining multiple colors in one piece to create a natural stone effect,” Jennifer says. “Today we have seven different stock color combinations and over 20 designs. Our concrete line also includes coasters, other cigar ashtrays and rests, and a collection of cannabis accessories and home goods.” 

Rich and Jennifer work in their home garage shop alongside their miniature schnauzer, Randy. Their designs can be found in stores across 43 states and in backyards around the world.

“We’re always the booth men love because there’s never enough stuff for them at these shows and they flock to us!” Jennifer says. 

Come see Storcks Design on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)