Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanny Trahan.
Hi Jeanny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Artisans Market Apopka was founded by three artisan/crafters who wanted to provide a venue for like-minded entrepreneurs in search of a reasonably priced venue to display their handmade creations in the Apopka area. Our mission statement focuses on empowering creative expression of our artists and artisans, fostering a supportive environment, showcasing diverse talents, and nurturing artistic development. We felt it was important to promote local small businesses featuring artisans and crafters and their passion for creating unique, beautiful, useful items, and baked goods.
Our first Artisans Market Apopka event was September of 2024. We are located in a lot behind Maters & Taters which has been there for 42 years. Local citizens are well familiar with Maters & Taters, so it was an easy draw to our market (by the way, they serve the best Amish made ice cream). Our artisans’ and crafters’ colorful canopy tents can be seen from North Park Ave, a busy street in front of Maters & Taters.
We started out with the Artisans Market Apopka events held monthly, but in March of 2025, we opened up another event date per suggestions by some of our regular vendors. So, now we offer our events on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our success has also met some challenges along the way. As with other markets throughout Central Florida, public participation has been inconsistent. Our artisans and crafters depend on the patronage from our local citizens, so if the support isn’t forthcoming, these creative vendors will cease to participate in our market. It is a bit more difficult to support our artisans and crafters during the hot summer months. Our artisan and crafter designers come from Orange, Lake, and Citrus countries to vend with us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My husband and I own and operate the Artisans Market Apopka, LLC. My professional background was in education (taught at Tulane Univ.) and in the medical field. It wasn’t until I retired from nursing that I developed a hobby of creating personalized photographic greeting cards for clients to send to their family and friends. Clients email their favorite photos of their children, grandchildren, pets, flowers from their gardens, etc. to be made into personalized notecards. Each notecard comes with an envelope matching the colors in the notecard and a sticker with that photographic image for the back of the envelope. Personalized inscriptions are provided at the client’s request.
Our advisory board members include a former teacher, Noreen Wilkins, who has 8 years of experience in the antique business and a very talented artisan, “domestic goddess,” as she describes herself, Vanessa Canzater, who creates Mala necklaces and bracelets with beautiful semi-precious stones. These two artisans contribute greatly to the operation and promotion of the Artisans Market Apopka.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Apopka has grown so much in the past few years, but it still has that charming small-town feel. Apopka is rich with a creative community that has heretofore been untapped and promoted. The Artisans Market Apopka endeavors to promote and enhance our creative entrepreneurs’ efforts.
Pricing:
- Cost to vend: $20.00 per vendor space
- Food Trucks: $30.00 per space
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artisansmarketsapopka
- Other: artisansmarketapopka@gmail.com
