Like a huge portion of our community, I spent this Small Business Saturday frequenting local businesses.

I started my day with a cup of Gabrizio coffee, enjoyed lunch at Round Oak Revisited, shopped for great deals at Who kNew, and visited friends at Apothica Teas.

It’s always a treat to visit with the entrepreneurs who have made their small businesses into full-time operations patrons can frequent on a regular basis, but another highlight of my Small Business Saturday was chatting with entrepreneurs at a smaller scale. These individuals have turned hobbies and crafts into part-time jobs they do in retirement, or on the side of other jobs.

They work hard to perfect their craft until they have a product they are confident customers will enjoy. Then, they take a leap of faith, create dozens of handmade items — each unlike any other — and buy a booth at a craft show or create a website for their goods. Just like that, a small business is born.

At the Local is the New Black artisan show at the Grand LV, I saw soap made from breast milk, handmade earrings, macramé home décor, personalized signs, hand-carved household utensils, woven hats, toys and much more.

My twin sister also has a small business selling homemade purses, headbands, keychains and more (check out “Crazy Craft Lady” on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy!). While my sister is the patient, determined creator, the creative gene skipped me — but that does not stop my addiction to enjoying others’ work.

Much like talking to brick and mortar shop owners, these artisans’ eyes lit up when I asked them about a particular pair of earrings, or how long it took them to crochet the winter cap I later ended up purchasing.

One woman presented beautiful ornaments and carved Christmas décor her family created in spite of a traumatic medical issue. A carver’s wife joked that her husband’s wares were his saving grace — a way to get him out of the house and off her nerves.

I loved these stories so much that, in true journalist fashion, I have decided to share them with you.

Just like brick and mortar shops, these artisans felt your love this Saturday. As Pizza Transit had its highest sales day in 32 years, a local candlemaker grinned ear to ear on social media, proud of her record sales day. The local cookie dough shop sold out of dough, and Grand LV owners saw their investment in these small businesses pay off.

I was inspired by Melanie and Donny’s desire to showcase these businesses and give them a chance to continue to grow. Now, we are doing our part to do the same.

Starting next Monday, we will share the stories of 12 local artisans who create a variety of goods. During the 12 Days of Crafters, we will share what these individuals create, how they started making these crafts, some secrets to their trade and where to buy their products.

As the holiday shopping season winds down, I encourage you to frequent these artisans’ booths at local craft fairs, find their Etsy shops online and give them the same small business love you showed the brick and mortar shops downtown.

When we shop local, we grow our community. Who knows? With enough support, some of these at-home businesses may one day fill our downtown shopping districts!