Read on to meet more of our amazing local vendors for this year’s RTP Mistletoe Market! If this will be your first time attending the Market, here are some pointers to keep in mind:
- Have an appetite: Arepa Culture and the Tenco Coffee Truck will be on site for the duration of the event. Some vendors who sell food might even provide samples. Either way, you’re going to be snacking, so come hungry!
- Be thirsty: Wash down those delicious arepas and samples with a complimentary glass of wine or beer provided by Bombshell Beer Company.
- Bring cash: Not all of our vendors accept credit or debit, so bring cash to be on the safe side!
- Spread the holiday cheer: Our friend Buddy the Elf once said, “The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” While you’re shopping local, The Victorian Carolers will be roaming around The Frontier 800 singing songs to set the mood for the holiday season. Feel free to join in on your favorite holiday tunes!
Company: The Qi Garden 
Mastermind: Lucia Shaw
Q: Are you a one (wo)man show, or do you have employees?
A: I am the Soap Maker in Chief! (a one woman show)
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: I started soap making as therapy really. I traveled for my work for years, and soap making was such a quiet and relaxing activity. I gifted my soaps to friends and one day someone suggested I sell them.
Q: Give me an elevator pitch about your business.
A: My designs include a Buddha collection and my ever-growing floral collection. I design each mold and then have it hand carved in silicone, which is why my soaps have so much detail. Using silicone molds also allows me to not use alcohol in my soap or to un-mold my soaps.
Company: The Tockery
Mastermind: Ryan Mentock
Q: Give me an elevator pitch about your business.
A: I make custom wood and acrylic artwork that is usually related to Durham or North Carolina. I love adapting customer ideas and also offer custom graphic designs.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration?
A: Most of my artwork is North Carolina-inspired. I also buy a lot of things from the Durham Rescue Mission and refurbish or re-purpose them, so I’ll usually find something cool and figure out what I’m going to do with it later.
Q: Is this your full time gig or side hustle?
A: This is one of many side jobs or me. I do it more for fun and as a way to be artistic sometimes.
Company: WorldWick Candles
Mastermind: Abby Hilyer
Q: Where do you draw inspiration?
A: The inspiration for each candle comes from each individual state or school. We pulled ideas from a state’s natural beauty and popular destinations. For schools, we look at traditions, student life, or attributes of the university itself. Our goal is to create three truly unique scents for each and to capture what it is like to live in that state or be a part of the fan base for that school.
Q: How do you get the word out about your business?
A: We mainly use social media to promote and spread the word about our candles. But our customers are the best source of advertising! When people tell us they bought our candles, or received one as a gift, they always say how much they loved it!
Q: What’s next?
A: The Mistletoe Market marks the end of our holiday show season. We hope to expand our collections by adding more candles. Tell us which candles you would like to see next!
Now that you’ve met some of the vendors, mark your calendar for December 13 from 4:00-7:00 PM! It’s your chance to #shoplocal while giving back to the community (this year, 15% of all proceeds made at the event will go to Code The Dream). See you at the Mistletoe Market!