Skilled craftsmen and women take over Georgia Maker's Festival

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - More than a dozen craftspeople gathered to sell hand-made goods at Skidaway Island State Park on Saturday.

It was the first maker's festival at the state park organized by AmeriCorps Georgia State Parks volunteers.

"The purpose of it is to bring people out to the parks and to get them to want to make things themselves, get them to want to try a new hobby, make their community better," said Amber Avery, the AmeriCorps member who organized the maker's festival.

Skilled workers like blacksmiths, weavers, and silk painters showed festival-goers on site how they create their goods. Others, like potters and soap makers, sold their homemade items.

"I'm a welder by trade, so that kind of spills over," said Jim Pender, a blacksmith. "I've always admired the works of the blacksmith and the things that he did. He was a viable part of the community back in the old days. We really enjoy going out into these events and have alot of fun with them."

Makers there say these kind of events are essential for them to stay in business and help bring the community together.

"Here is where all your bread and butter is if you don't have an actual storefront, so when you bring the store to the people, it feels a little bit more special," said Elena Elkassas-Vachev of By the Sea Soaping company.

Skidawway Island State Park's maker's festival was one of several AmeriCorps makers festivals at Georgia State Parks this month.

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