FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — This year's Made South holiday market drew about 3,500 people to the Factory at Franklin, according to organizer Chris Richardson.
"It is a celebration of Southern creativity, hospitality, and gumption, and it's just a great opportunity for us to showcase the amazing talent that all these makers and artists have," he told News 2.
For the second year in a row, a portion of the proceeds will go to One Generation Away, a nonprofit working to help people struggling with food insecurity. According to a Vanderbilt study, more than 40% of Tennessee parents reported low or very low food security last year.
Made South hosted about 60 makers and artisans from across the South who grow and create high-quality goods, including Grace Strawn, who started Ginger & Pearl seven years ago.
"Everything is handmade. I literally start from raw 14 karat gold fill or sterling silver, I design my stuff, I solder it, wire wrap gemstones," Strawn explained. "I love simple pieces, so I feel like really a lot of women from like teens all the way up to grandmas love my style because it's just unique without being too ornate."
As you get ready for this holiday season, Richardson encourages people to support their communities by shopping locally.
"These people do this work because they believe in it and it means something to them, so for us to give this community a chance to support these makers with their dollars and with their attention and social media and all that stuff, it just makes sense and it's the best thing that we can do to support these small businesses," Richardson said.
If you're interested in learning more about One Generation Away, follow this link.