GRANITE CITY — Saturday’s Melting Pot Market in Granite City’s Civic Park lived up to its name as artisans, vendors and musicians combined to make an eclectic and festive atmosphere in the community’s downtown.
The event featured many one-of-a-kind handmade items, including those offered by Alton resident Cassandra Johnson, who gets her inspiration from an unusual source.
“I use my stress to help me create things,” said Johnson, the owner of CJ’s Curio Closet. “I design some wild, multi-colored pieces myself so that shows how much stress I have.”
Not to worry, though, because Johnson’s stress was abated by brisk sales on Saturday.
“Selling things is a stress reliever in itself,” Johnson said. “So really I’m making my own medication.”
Granite City resident Marietta Chapman of Minnie’s Miniatures was selling a lot of items she makes from epoxy.
“Making these things takes a lot of time and thought. I spend all day doing this kind of thing,” Chapman said. “In my designs I try for anything new and different, unusual things. And I think it’s wonderful that I can sell these creations at this market.”
Toni Peel was born and raised in Collinsville and even though she now lives in Arkansas, she wouldn’t miss the Melting Pot Market and a chance to sell what she calls “fluid art.”
“My art is abstract and everybody sees it differently, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Peel said. “This is an artisan’s market. So this is where the people who appreciate my work should be.”
The Melting Pot Market featured a variety of regional goods, home décor, art, skin-care products, jewelry, locally-made crafts and other items, all accompanied by live entertainment. For Bill Adams of Granite City and his family, it was an excuse to explore downtown.
“We just came to see what was here and get out of the house,” Adams said. “Events like this have really brought downtown back from what it has been.”
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