SAVANNAH–Dozens of Lowcountry vendors gathered at last weekend’s Punk Flea Market, selling items ranging from snake bone jewelry, sparkling crystals and even taxidermied mice.
A mix of veteran vendors and fresh faces decorated the venue as they displayed their works. From hand painted saw blades to Coraline-esque dolls, there was something for everyone.
“We wanted a piece for our house, and no one would make it, so we just made it. And we liked making them so much that we just kept going until there were too many. So we sold them,” said Cricket Strickland, representing Atropos Media Works, a licensed taxidermist based in Augusta, Ga.
The animals used were either lab born, used as a food source for another animal or found by roadside.
“I felt like, you know, they didn’t really have anybody that really loved them in their first life. So, like, in their second life, then they’ll have someone that loves them and cherishes them,” said Shelly Strickland, owner of Atropos Media Works.
Nick Ugolik, owner of Nobody’s Business, is a newer vendor at the Market.
“It’s called Nobody’s Business, basically because I do a lot of oddball stuff and a lot of people got opinions about it,” said Ugolik.
As a former tattoo artist, Ugolik has since used his skills and left over materials to paint a variety of items, including saw blades.
David Lewis, owner of Twin Stibnite Minerals, offered a variety of items including jewelry, polished minerals and $5 grab bags that could be filled with anything from lapis lazuli to tiger’s eye. His business has been invited to a variety of shows over the past few years.
Lewis also mentioned his favorite mineral to work with.
“Fluorite is probably one of my favorites. And I love jewelry because there’s a piece for everyone. I think everyone resonates differently with different sizes, different colors, different rings, and it can really make or break an outfit or a person.”
SCAD student Greta Aubrey attended the flea market in search of unique pieces for her wardrobe.
“I’m here just for clothes. I like weird things too, so like the butterflies were cool,” Aubrey said in reference to the preserved butterflies being sold by another vendor.
“I like things with ruffles and things that people don’t generally wear,” said Aubrey. She continued her search through the various racks around the venue.
Jessica Toney, owner of Trash Clown Designs, explained her process for creating her dolls.
“There’s no set patterns for any of them. I do different characters like Coraline, Pogo the Clown, the Terrifier, Art the Clown and just different kinds of clown dolls…I make people, make them in all different sizes. They’re just kind of cool,” said Toney, who has been a vendor at the market for about four years.
“Just do it. I mean it’s art, you can’t mess it up, and you’re always gonna wonder if you don’t take a chance. You just let people enjoy your art the way you make it,” said Toney on advice to other creatives.
