Photo by Menique Koos (@meniquekoosphoto)
Mari Doffin is a polymer clay artist from Duluth who loves to play with shapes, colors and themes. She primarily creates earrings, which are sold online and at a number of local boutiques.
Emily Pilz of Em’s Gems Lake Superior Jewelry creates necklaces, earrings, sun catchers and other decorative items from agates and glass found on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Her partner in the enterprise is Emily Rakos. Both are 2020 graduates of the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Video by Angelina Sonnen.
Yarrow Mead is a metal smith who works with Northern Minnesota “gems” including local stones, agates and seaglass. The pieces she creates proudly show tool marks and uneven, organic shapes that reflect the North Shore.
YM: I am a silver and gold smith working with primarily local stones, beach glass, and American sourced metal. I was trained in jewelry by Stephen Hoglund, who is a very talented smith out of Grand Marais, as well as through my time working as a Props Master at the Hamline University Theater Department, under Theater Director Bill Wallace. My personal style has been influenced by both of these men, as well as my childhood on the North Shore of Minnesota. I am greatly inspired by the shapes and textures along the shores of Lake Superior, as well as my personal Nordic heritage.
Louise Payjack-Guillou came to Duluth via London, where she studied jewelry making. She currently works in a studio in the Duluth Maker Space, and sells her work through an elegant e-commerce website.
L. P. G.: I’m a jeweler working primarily in sterling silver and gold. My current work picks up on intricate and ornate details from found and collected objects. Often choosing antiques which have been beautifully worked with fine engraving, embossing etc. and distilling elements of these into modern clean forms to be worn as everyday luxury. Recently I’ve been having fun playing with larger precious and semi-precious stones such as natural emeralds, sapphires, turquoise and labradorite. The inclusion of more stone setting in my work has really opened new creative outlets for me, plus it’s a lot of fun sourcing colourful stones; they’re like candy to me!
Over 30 artists will be attending and creative items ranging from photography, glass, jewelry, clothing, home decor, ceramics to items made of natural and recycled materials will be for sale. This is the 3rd year for this local artist fair.
Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
New location: Unitarian Church, 835 W. College St. (on the bend of the road in between UMD and CSS). Free parking – above ground and below ground.
Come shop from over 30 local and area artists who make things out of natural materials or recycled/upcycled items. The fair will be held from 10 -3 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Unitarian Church, 835 W. College St. Food will be available to purchase.
The fair is organized by WendyUpNorth.com. For other local art fairs go to the website to see the calendar. There are a few more openings in the July 23, Woman-Made fair.
My talented friend, Gail Blum, makes beach stone necklaces and now has a website where you can get one, too. Free domestic shipping!
Each of these fairs has different local artists — only a few overlap.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, the Get it Local Gift Fair will be held at Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E., and will have over 30 Duluth-Superior artists, nonprofits, and local-made or grown items for sale. The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will also serve as a drive (please bring items) for new or gently used children’s (picture) books which will be donated to the Red Book Shelf/United Way and there also will be a collection for Hygiene products to go to the local Salvation Army. From wreaths to jewelry to home decor to dog treats you will find plenty of great things to pick up — all in one setting in one day.
This Saturday is the 3rd annual Get to the Point Awesome Art & Gift Fair – all with local artists within about 30 miles of Duluth. Very cool items. Books, jewelry, candles, soap, and much more.
Lafayette Bldg, 3026 Minnesota Ave., 2 miles past the Lift Bridge.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. 17 artists. Start your holiday shopping early. Pick out some things for yourself. Meet the people making the creative items.
