On November 14, the lobby of the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center’s Shaffer MacCartney Building became a lively venue as Augusta University hosted its first Holiday Maker’s Market. The event drew more than 250 attendees and featured 27 booths run by faculty, staff, students, and alumni, offering handmade items ranging from jewelry and wood crafts to crocheted clothing and art.
Tina Baggott, interim executive vice president for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development at Augusta University (AU), highlighted the market’s value for student entrepreneurs. “Augusta University is committed to preparing our entrepreneurial students for the real world by providing real-world experiences. The AU Holiday Maker’s Market offered an invaluable opportunity for our students to network with and learn from other more seasoned AU entrepreneurs from our own AU faculty, staff and alumni while welcoming our broader community to campus to support student businesses,” she said. “We are grateful for the overwhelming show of support from our campus and community for this first-time event.”
The event also included food trucks such as Wetzels Pretzels, The Food Guys, and Ice Cream Island. A total of 59 individuals applied to be vendors, but space was limited to 27 booths.
Lynsey Steinberg, director of innovation for AU’s Entrepreneurship and Community Innovation team within the Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development unit, commented on the collaborative nature of the market: “What an exceptional opportunity to see alumni, faculty, staff, community partners and student entrepreneurs come together. Many of our vendors and food trucks sold out and were thrilled to be a part of our community. The Holiday Maker’s Market truly highlights the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that drives Augusta University forward. We could not have accomplished this remarkable market without all the amazing teams who came together. Thank you to our volunteers and every team member who supported this effort for the benefit of everyone’s success.”
Participants included both experienced artists familiar with art shows as well as newcomers testing small business ownership. Danielle Deal and Floe Maddox—students in Pamplin College—are members of the Mad Potters Organization; they noted that selling outside regular campus events allowed them to reach new customers.
“It’s a little different because it’s a little bit more in the community, rather than when we do it on campus, where it’s more just our peers and people that we know,” Deal said. “It’s nice to be able to sell to people who aren’t just going to school with us and to know that they take our pieces home and actually use them.”
Vendors represented various colleges including Public Health, Computer & Cyber Sciences (SCCS), and Allied Health Sciences. Kit Wootten from SPH sold crocheted goods through Blue Heron Stitches; Gokila Dorai from SCCS showcased her artwork instead of her usual technology expertise.
Mia Thompson, graduating this December with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, demonstrated rug tufting skills at her booth Threads and Roses—a craft she learned at AU’s Garage Makerspace: “I actually started last year here at the Garage Makerspace… I saw this rug on Pinterest – it was a My Melody rug – and I thought, ‘Well, maybe I can make it.’ So I went to the Garage… I made the rug, and I really loved it.” She later started her own fiber arts business after developing her skills further.
“I started thinking, ‘Maybe I can make more,’ and I did… I never thought about being a business owner outside of maybe in the future doing something with tech… but I never thought about having a business within fiber art. I think it’s really exciting…” Thompson added.
Sierra Collier from Allied Health Sciences used equipment at The Garage—including CNC machines—to create wooden art pieces for sale alongside her sister Makena Harrison under Misty Woods Tradecraft LLC.
Collier described their positive experience: “It’s a great opportunity for them to have us here… It’s nice that we’re able to make some of our products in the Makerspace and be able to bring them here… The really fun thing is making sports signs by using the large CNC machine that they have there. It’s like a really fun process.”
The Garage Makerspace offers access throughout the year with workshops in prototyping, electronics workstations, group events with specialists, volunteer opportunities, prototype fabrication services, guest speakers events among other resources—all free for AU students; memberships are available for community members.
Mia Thompson encouraged others interested in exploring creative opportunities: “I would definitely just say drop by… Every time I’m there I have a new idea—and I’m supported with resources to actually do it.”
