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Less than a month to go until Crafted at Frontier RTP! We hope you are getting excited, because we definitely are, and that you have you calendars marked for May 2, 4:00-6:30 p.m.! Our 40 vendors will be at Frontier 800 with a wide variety of handmade masterpieces, which could make great gift for someone special  (*hint* Mother’s and Father’s Day are coming up).

Did you know that our vendors have pledged to donate 15% of the proceeds made at the Market to Susan G. Komen NC Triangle to the Coast? If that’s not exciting enough, there will also be complimentary beer and wine, as well as a chance to win raffle prizes.

A quick tip: not all of our vendors accept credit or debit cards, so be sure to bring some cash. We want to make sure you don’t miss out on anything you have your eye on!

Company: ParMar Media

Mastermind: Jeff Wilson

Par MarQ: How did you come up with the idea for your business?

A: I really wanted a modern/artsy map of Grayson Highlands State Park, but there wasn’t anything available so I made my own. From there I figured, why not try some other locations and see what happens?

Q: What is your productivity routine?

A: I work full time and ParMar is a side project/passion for me. My productivity routine is basically do what I can when I can.

Q: Tell us a story about an experience that left you feeling like you had succeeded with your business.

A: It is a combination of things, but I would say the first time I felt like that was when we had our 1000th sale on Etsy (we are over 2300 now). The absolute most important experience that made me feel successful would be when the new YMCA building in downtown Raleigh selected one of our maps to go from the first floor stairwell down to the gym where it wraps around the corner wall.

Company: Crown Jules Clothing

Crown JulesMastermind: Julie Zerbe

Q: Give me a three-sentence elevator pitch about your business.

A: Handcrafted children’s clothing and American Girl sized dresses, bags, hair bows and aprons. We take great pride in providing the customer with the highest quality workmanship and fabrics. Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of a young lady, so for every dress sold, we make and donate a dress to The Ryan Epps Home for Children in Haiti!

Q: Where do you draw inspiration?

A: My inspiration comes from wanting girls to look pretty in dresses.  My desire is for orphans to look beautiful! I love what I do, I love all the colors I get to work with, but the most important thing to me in life is the smile I see on an orphan girls face when she tries on a dress.

Q: What is your productivity routine?

A: Generally I am in my “Happy Room” sewing studio by 9:00 a.m. and I’ll sew all day if no one interrupts me! That gives me great joy!

Company: Olivia’s Art Gallery

Mastermind: Olivia Gatewood

Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?   

A: Most of the larger commercial earrings were too heavy and lacked uniqueness.  I wanted to create affordable, original, miniature paintings to adorn the body.

Q: Tell us a story about an experience that left you feeling like you had succeeded with your business.   

A: When I received recognition by Governor Cooper a few weeks ago at a reception at the Executive Mansion for my contributions in the arts in NC and most of my complements were on the wearable art adorned by my granddaughter, daughter and me.

Q: Fun fact about yourself?

A: I am a three-time European Division women’s black belt fighting champion. My black belt is in Combat Shotokan.