— from Marcy Montgomery for Orcas Makers —

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is celebrated in many towns as a time to recognize and support small businesses that are an important part of the social fabric of small, rural communities. Orcas Makers are opening their doors on Saturday, November 30 and invite locals and visitors to come explore and support their creative arts, food and wellness products, and island made ingenuity.

Saturday Open House events include:

Girl Meets Dirt 208 Enchanted Forest Rd

Open House featuring heritage preserves, shrubs and bitters plus a Makers Showcase with local Ceramics by Chandelle Anderson, Fleece to Garment fiber arts, Loombound leather journals and OrcaSong healing botanical products. Hot cider, shrub mocktails and music welcome in the holidays.

Orcas Food Coop 138 N Beach Rd

Locally grown and made showcase of Orcas foods with free samples at the popular food market in the heart of town. Great place to support local farms and creative food makers – from granola to coffee, to jam to sea salt, chai and locally bottled cider – make a great gift basket of local makers’ yum and fun.

Creative Minds Gallery   123 N Beach Rd

Special ‘Meet the Artist’ makers showcase features Orcas Island artists with Porcelain tile by Janet Gadallah, Art quilts by Sheila Gaquin, and Ceramic and metal sculpture by Maria Root. Creative Minds is a co-op gallery featuring painting, ceramic, fiber, jewelry, furniture and sculpture.

Felt + Ceramics Studio|Shop   Eastsound Square at 109 North Beach Road

Step into a gallery and active makerspace showcasing Ceramics and found object assemblage by Sharon Ho, Felted art, clothing & accessories by Christa Smith, Ceramics by Mary Jane Elgin and Local wood ware by Orcas Workshop.

Printshop Northwest   Eastsound Square at 109 North Beach Road

Great Northwest prints on your choice of clothing, bags, tea towels, gift cards and wall prints. Clothing printed on shirts and kids wear as you watch, or off the rack. From orcas whales to the fearsome kraken, fun images celebrate the Northwest.

Island Thyme and Crow Valley Gallery   296 Main St

Long time Orcas makers of locally grown botanical body care products are hosting an Open House featuring glass, ceramic, painting, jewelry and sculpture by over a dozen local fine artists and artisans with 10% off storewide – all warmed by hot cider and snacks. Shop the Rock and keep it local.

Map and Gallery of Makers work is online at www.oneisland.org/orcasmakers and on Facebook at OrcasMakers.

This Small Business Saturday event is sponsored by the San Juan Makers Guild, Orcas Chapter, sjmakersguild@gmail.com