Beacon is known for its thriving creative outlets and is home to many artisans and makers. As popular handmade markets, including Hudson Valley Hullabaloo and the Hudson River Exchange, pop up across the region, a new unique shopping opportunity is coming to Beacon. On May 6, welcome Self Made - A Makers Collective. Self Made is a modern-day marketplace where the top craftspeople of the Hudson Valley and beyond will gather to showcase their work. It will be held at the University Settlement Camp -  a unique location which provides a scenic backdrop surrounded by the beauty of Mount Beacon, but isn't too far from Main Street.

Yes, this is the same day as the first Cupcake Festival in Beacon, but Self Made will be open longer, so you can swing by both events. This Self Made - A Makers Collective will definitely be an oasis of bustling yet peaceful creative browsing and inspiration, compared to the intense jam session vibe of the Cupcake Festival. That festival will feature some of the Hudson Valley's most creative cupcakes, set alongside the top shopping opportunities at Beacon's storefronts, who are eagerly planning for the big day.

So What Is This Self Made Makers Collective?

Bringing their collective 10-plus years experience and creativity to this inaugural event, Self Made is the creation of Holly J. Coley and Christina Silvestris. Christina is the maker behind local skincare brand Hudson Naturals, and Holly is a fashion writer for Organic Hudson Valley Magazine and blogger at The Mighty Mite. They have been working on this event for a year! They were both excited to see how much initiative creative people were taking to turn their talent into businesses, and wanted to encourage more of that in the Hudson Valley by providing a showcase opportunity like this. “If you were creatively inclined, you might just make it a hobby or perhaps take your skill to the city. But what the handmade/Made in America movement has shown is that if you have the drive and know-how, you can create something sustainable.”  

Why Beacon For The First Year of the Self Made Makers Collective?

According to the founders, they wanted to make an impression with local shoppers in the first year, and they figured that Beacon would be the ideal place for Self Made to kick off. “Beacon is an area that supports creativity, entrepreneurship and small business, which is what our show is about. In many ways, Beacon embodies the spirit of the event,” says Holly. Both Holly and Christina grew up in the Hudson Valley and have seen a big evolution of the area, especially Beacon, over the last 10 years. Self Made's curators have hunted all over to include something for everyone regardless of age, budget, or interest.

For vinyl collectors, Sound Shack Beacon will be there; if you’re into fashion, there will be several fashion vendors for men and women. If you’re a foodie, enjoy the food vendors including Beacon’s Glazed Over Donuts and craft beer from Catskill Brewery and food trucks parked on the grounds. You may also see some familiar names like Virginia Piazza Pottery and Weird Beard Candle Co. who sell at Remade, and Tess & James whose work is also carried in Beacon shops.

The Trickle Down Effect of Supporting Independent Designers In Multiple Locations

Supporting independent designers can have a trickle down effect, as makers like to order supplies from other small businesses, which helps those businesses thrive. “In the long run, it helps grow local economy and creates an environment like the one Beacon has,” says Holly. By shopping at Self Made, you can expect to have a good time and find some amazing, unique gifts, but the larger goal is for customers to also walk away with a better appreciation of what is being made in the community, and feel inspired to explore more local shops and discover new brands as the emerging designers create new wholesale accounts with stores.

Check out Self Made: A Makers Collective on Saturday, May 6, from 10 am to 6 pm at the University Settlement Camp on Wolcott Avenue in Beacon. Follow the collective on Facebook and Instagram for vendor updates!