At West Slope Startup Week, entrepreneurship isn’t just for techies. We see this whole activity of “starting up” as a mindset that can’t be co-opted by a few industries. That’s why our programming includes opportunities for entrepreneurs of all makes and models; including creatives who will find an entire track dedicated to their unique needs.
And, for a second year, we’re hosting the Rural Creative Collective Night Market featuring fifteen rural creatives offering everything from craft chocolates to artisan jewelry to fine art.
The Night Market will take place on Wednesday, October 7th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Powerhouse Science Center Museum, 1333 Camino Del Rio in Durango. (We know it’s dinner time, so there will also be food trucks if you’re getting hangry.)
Come support your fellow entrepreneurs and human-powered endeavors. Who knows! Maybe you’ll get a head start on your holiday shopping… or find a gift for yourself.
Meet the Vendors
Blue Sage Art – Ignacio
Ann Salviazul of Blue Sage Art, based in Ignacio, works in watercolor, gouache, charcoal, pencil, and pen. She’ll bring greeting cards featuring Durango area buildings, landmarks, and trees, along with small prints and framed originals. Ann has been creating art since childhood and is looking forward to seeing how her work is received by the Durango public and to connecting with other creatives.
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Love Lucky Dog – Durango
Julia Ginna of Love Lucky Dog, based in Durango, handcrafts pet accessories including reversible bandanas, tug toys, plush bears, and cozy vests. After retiring from a corporate public relations career, Julia turned her creativity toward her two rescued dogs, and the venture has since grown into a multi-market business.
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Purple Elephant Up-Cycled Totes – Bayfield
Louise Westervelt of Purple Elephant Up-Cycled Totes, based in Bayfield, makes totes from discontinued upholstery samples, rescuing sturdy, beautiful fabric from the landfill. She typically brings around 50 totes to her booth. Now retired, Louise says she misses working with the public and loves selling at markets.
Rainbowz Hair Tinsel & Henna Stencils – Durango
Lisa Bandy of Rainbowz Hair Tinsel & Henna Stencils, based in Durango, offers hair tinsel and temporary henna tattoo stencils. She began practicing tinsel application while job hunting and fell in love with the craft, first on wigs and then on kids. Lisa wants to support the Durango area hair tinsel trend and show how fun and easy it can be.
Rogue Goat Soaps – Hesperus
JJ Johnson of Rogue Goat Soaps, based in Hesperus, handcrafts goat’s milk soaps, lotions, and whipped tallow, along with a men’s line, natural chapstick, and tallow candles. A butcher of more than a decade, JJ started the business using leftover beef fat to make gifts for family before demand grew. She’s always looking to build local and broader connections and to share and learn from other makers.
Shelby Shakes – Durango
Shelby Kohn of Shelby Shakes, based in Durango, makes granola from spent grain upcycled from Steamworks Brewing Co., offered in five flavors and both compostable bags and glass jars. Shelby started experimenting after wondering what happened to the brewery’s leftover grain, eventually learning it was still rich in protein and fiber. This will be her fourth year at WSSW, and she values the chance to educate people face-to-face about upcycled food.
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Siren in Suspenders Sewn Goods – Durango
Shandra McClanahan of Siren in Suspenders Sewn Goods, based in Durango, creates hard-wearing totes and body bags from locally salvaged, reclaimed materials built to withstand mountain weather and everyday use. Shandra is driven by a desire to keep usable materials out of the landfill while making gear built to last, not to be replaced every couple of years. Each piece is one of a kind, reflecting her belief in reuse over waste and function over mass production.
Sparkle & Mud – Hesperus
Kate Ishay of Sparkle & Mud, based in Hesperus, creates hand-thrown and painted functional pottery, from mugs to serving dishes, along with hand-beaded earrings, which she sells through Instagram, a gallery space, and in-person markets. She took up ceramics after the death of a friend and added beading after her daughter was born.
Studio451 Jewelry – Durango
Erin Weaver of Studio451Jewelry, based in Durango, handcrafts jewelry from brass, copper, sterling silver, and bronze, sometimes set with gemstones, and will bring earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. She studied art and southwest studies at Fort Lewis College, where she learned silversmithing, and later drew on her career in Four Corners archaeology to shape her designs before founding her studio in 2013.
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The Crafty Tortuga – Durango
Lauren Rodriguez-Martinez of The Crafty Tortuga, based in Durango, hand-sews kitchenware, home decor, and other goods. A stay-at-home mom, she returned to sewing after her first child was born and has been selling her creations for about a year, finding it meaningful to see how people enjoy them.
The Happy Marmot – Pagosa Springs
Paula Jo Miller of The Happy Marmot, based in Pagosa Springs, paints whimsical watercolor animals offered as originals, giclée prints, and greeting cards, and also creates handcrafted stained glass suncatchers. She began selling art after retiring in 2010, took a hiatus to train for an Ironman, and returned this year to teach herself watercolor and stained glass under her new creative persona. Paula Jo is excited to debut her new direction and share it with the local maker community.
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True Radiance Tallow – Durango
Alli Cloyd of True Radiance Tallow, based in Durango, renders her own beef fat into skincare products designed to be gentle on skin and the planet. She started making tallow to help treat her son’s eczema, and the products have since helped many customers with skin sensitivity. Cloyd is looking forward to meeting other entrepreneurs and new customers.
Velvet Coyote – Durango
Sloan Gingg of Velvet Coyote, based in Durango, curates secondhand clothing, accessories, jewelry, and original artwork sourced from thrift and consignment stores across the Southwest, hosting vintage pop-ups in partnership with local businesses like Second Deli and The Bookcase and the Barber. Gingg and her two partners launched the slow-fashion business in 2025 after years of thrifting together.
Vermont Sticky – Crested Butte
Krista Powers of Vermont Sticky, based in Crested Butte, is a third-generation maple syrup producer who returns to Vermont each year to make syrup with her family before bringing it to Colorado to craft value-added products like maple hot cocoa and hydration mix. She launched the business in 2016 with her father’s encouragement. Krista is excited to share her small-batch, single-source maple products with Rocky Mountain West maple lovers.
Wildermoon Soap & Self Care – Durango
Casey Padron of Wildermoon Soap & Self Care, based in Durango, makes soap, salves, and lip balms using locally sourced, fair-trade, and natural ingredients inspired by the high desert and mountains. For Casey, soapmaking blends artistry and science, drawing on ingredients from her own garden. She’s relaunching her business this August after a two-year hiatus and is eager to reconnect with the maker community.
