Savannah Waterfront Association's monthly Crafts on the River creates network of mutual support

Savannah is steeped in creativity, but this special trait is a little more complex than simple arts and crafts.

“I think humans create because we have to. We have needs, and once those needs are satisfied, I think we all realize there's something else still there that needs expression,” Crafts on the River founder and organizer Rachel Irvin said.

That need for expression comes to life at Crafts on the River, a monthly maker's market where up to 70 artists and craftspeople from across the Southeast share their work on Rousakis Riverfront Plaza. But they aren’t the only ones benefiting from this opportunity.

After supporting a childhood friend whose mother passed away, Irvin grew to understand the impact of losing a parent. After various nannying jobs, that understanding inspired a partnership between her business, RachelMade, and Inheritance of Hope, a nonprofit organization providing retreats and resources for families in need of comfort and community while facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness. As Crafts on the River came to life, the partnership expanded even further into the maker community.

With each market, local makers and artists raise roughly $5,000 in donations to Inheritance of Hope by selling handmade art, jewelry, body products and food items, among other offerings. Irvin’s thorough selection process ensures more makers have a chance to share their work, but she’s selected a few remarkable folks to spotlight as the final market of the year approaches.

Spotlight on Crafts on the River makers

Familiarity and comfort fuel Alchemy and the Sea owner Ashley Flynn, a New York native whose love for Savannah shines through her jewelry. Although Flynn’s style consists of beachy colors and shimmering crystals, the truly special elements come from her perspective on jewelry as memories.

“When people are coming and shopping, they're not looking for something mass-produced. They're not looking to take something with them that reminds them of everywhere else they've been in the world,” Flynn said. “One of the things I think is really interesting about this market is that you get to take a little piece of Savannah home with you. To me, that's a piece of nostalgia that you get to bring home.”

This philosophy is ingrained in Flynn’s jewelry, allowing Crafts on the River visitors to literally take a piece of the city home. Each of Flynn’s pieces features copper reclaimed from historic Savannah homes, creating keepsakes that take accessorizing to the next level.

On top of being memories, accessories are also a form of self-expression, a concept at the root of the beautiful works at Danielle Girardeau Art Jewelry. Girardeau’s jewelry shrinks original paintings, drawings and prints down into distinctive, handmade rings, earrings or pendants. By selecting symbols that spark joy or carry special meaning, each mini artwork adopts a unique meaning for each wearer and everyone they meet.

“Art can be therapeutic for people in so many ways. It can help you work through emotions, express yourself, or serve as an escape. It can ground you in a way—and I believe the same goes for community,” Girardeau said. “Connecting with the real people around you can bring you back into the present instead of being buried in our busy, disconnected lives. I think a great many of us could benefit from coming back down to earth and appreciating those around us and what they have to offer.”

For many people, that connection also comes in the form of food, and Bloom Cookies co-owners Nicholas Granstrom and Daven Felipe supply that need through their decadent cookies. But these aren’t just any cookies. Bloom’s innovative new flavors are infused with botanical, culinary-grade flowers to create new combinations like rose pistachio and lavender.

“When they see cookies, most people just want to get maybe a chocolate chip or a white chocolate—very common flavors—so they think, ‘I’m just gonna get the chocolate chip,’ but a lot of times, we'll have them try different flavors, and they're like, ‘this is really good,’” Granstrom said.

While a fresh chocolate chip cookie might be the most familiar option, it’s worth trying something new at this booth. The pair always offer samples and love receiving feedback on their new flavors.

“It’s very gratifying to do something and showcase it to other people,” Felipe said. “It's so fulfilling to see that other people love what I do.”

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At Wheelie Good Dog Treats, that feedback comes in the form of a wagging tail as treats made with human-grade ingredients form life-changing connections.

Inspired by owner Erica Cannon’s happy-go-lucky pooch, Pigeon, Wheelie Good makes regular donations (of the monetary and treat variety) to local shelters and rescues and hosts other aid programs. Cannon also adores helping pet owners navigate life with disabled pets. During Crafts on the River, she can be found selling treats, but she also spends a lot of that time connecting with others.

“When you go to these craft fairs, you can talk to the person making something and connect with them. I meet people whose dog might have something that's going to turn into paralysis, or they might have something else, and I can say, ‘Hey, these are the resources I used’ or ‘This is where you should go,’” Cannon said. “The vendors also feel like a little family, and we all become very close. We talk to each other all the time and often travel to the shows together.”

No matter what they create, each maker at Crafts on the River has a role in creating a network of mutual support that expands beyond the creative community. And at the heart and soul of this massive market is one dedicated maker determined to make a difference.

“There's always somebody to reach out to if you're willing,” Irvin said. “A beautiful thing about being human is that you can lift yourself up by lifting others up.”

Crafts on the River takes place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 29-30 at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Crafts on the River spotlights creatives, makers