NORMAL — In November 2022, Bloomington resident Lindsay Sullivan started her own custom jewelry business called Linked by Lindsay Permanent Jewelry.
Since then, she left a 13-year career in the marketing industry to pursue her business full-time, hosting pop-up events and organizing private home parties.
“The easiest way to describe permanent jewelry is that it doesn't have a clasp,” Sullivan says. “So we use something called a jump ring and weld it to the chain by hand to secure it to the chain. You can choose a chain, whether it's gold or silver, and we can make bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Masu.”
Sullivan was one of many women from across the state promoting small businesses at the March Makers Market at Destil Brewery on Sunday. The brewery has partnered with 100 Women for Good in honor of Women's History Month.
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Permanent jewelry was part of the appeal for Bloomington resident Jackie Miller. She keeps an eye on events at Destill, and she said she loves supporting local business owners.
In addition to jewelry, Miller said she is also a fan of the handmade items on display.
“It's like we shop all year long and at Christmas because it's fun and quirky,” Miller said.
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Amy Rosado, owner of Dainty Duo Creations, said she has been making personalized gifts for the past five years.
Although Rosado can do laser-cut and laser-engraved decorations, her focus on customized children's items, such as eyeglass holders and Tooth Fairy boxes, separates her from similar businesses. he said.
“We carry a lot of different children's items that a lot of other vendors don't carry, so we have the things that (kids) want when they're attending these types of events with their parents. It’s kind of amazing to see,” Rosado said.
Sue Necessary, former marketing director for OSF, started collecting shells and sea glass for use in mosaics and other decorative items about five years ago.
To gather raw materials, Necessary traveled to Northern California, Hawaii, and Sanibel Island, combing the coasts for shells and sea glass. Sea glass is discarded shards of glass that have been smoothed and reformed by sand and water, sometimes over a period of decades.
Necessy said he could spend hours searching for glass and shells.
“I'm up from sunrise to sunset,” she added. “In fact, it's similar to working in a mine.”
In addition to providing extra produce to local food pantries, Samantha Homerding, owner of Black Sheep Food Initiative, which also designs floral arrangements, has set up a certified kitchen to diversify her food offerings. He said he would like to develop it.
“A lot of grocery stores don't like to use ugly vegetables, but they still taste just as good as regular vegetables, so it's important to be able to do something with them, whether it's in a sauce or as a cut-up vegetable.” I’m ready,” Homerding said.
Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee
