Made in Moses Lake promotes local artists

MOSES LAKE - Although farmer's market activity has halted for the winter, some items from popular Moses Lake vendors are still available with the recent opening of Schmiggitty Made in Moses Lake.

A group of 11 farmer's market vendors got together to brainstorm ways they could keep their businesses going even though the market season had ended.

"A bunch of us from farmer's market were trying to find a way for winter vending," said Melinda Henry, one of the artists who helped open the Made in Moses Lake store.

Dan Ogden, who also sold at farmer's market, suggested they partner with him and rent the space next to the Eagles lodge on Broadway Avenue where he was already making his Schmiggitty Sauce.

Henry said it made sense to her and the other artists, and so the idea for Schmiggitty Made in Moses Lake was officially born.

"While many of us will still do the farmer's market, it's nice to have this home base," said Henry.

The grand opening of Made in Moses Lake was held in November. Since then, Henry said business has been good.

Henry specializes in making license plate signs and her handcrafted "Redneck wine glasses." But the store also sells jewelry, recycled art, hand blown glass, toys, furniture and handcrafted wood items.

Specialty greeting cards and photography prints are also available at Made in Moses Lake.

"There's a little bit of everything," said Henry. "And everything is made in or around Moses Lake."

Customers can also custom order wood crafts, vinyl signs and other items if they can't find what they are looking for, she said.

Henry said that so far, Cornfusion specialty popcorn, Schmiggitty Sauce and Lava Babies, which are sculptures made of ash from Mount St. Helens, are the store's best sellers.

Henry said although there are 11 core artists who stock the shelves at Made in Moses Lake, they also sell items for a handful of other local artists.

Henry said like herself, the artists involved in opening the store were just tired of selling their items online and in the classifieds.

"We were sick of meeting people in parking lots to sell our stuff," she said.

Henry said customers have told her that visiting the store brings out their inner creativity, something she said the store's artists want to continue.

"I think it's great that people come here and feel inspired," she said.

Henry said the store plans to eventually offer art classes for people to come in and make items similar to the ones sold at the store.

"They can leave with a product and learn the trade," she said. "We also want to increase the artistic ability of Moses Lake."

Ogden said the store is starting to see an increase in last-minute holiday shoppers. He said Made in Moses Lake is a great one-stop shopping place for people scrambling to finish their Christmas lists.

"Nothing in here is the same," said Ogden. "If you like unique, then this is the place to find it."

Schmiggity Made in Moses Lake is located at 1515 W. Broadway Ave, next to the Eagles lodge. They are open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.