Local Designer is a 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Nominee

For a few years now, Martha Stewart has spotlighted, supported and celebrated handmade goods from around the country with the Martha Stewart American Made competition. This year, Detroit's very own Alchemy Detroit is a 2015 Martha Stewart American Made nominee, and the voting begins Monday, September 21!

Image from Alchemy Detroit

"From Detroit to Des Moines, Spokane to St. Louis, people are choosing Main Street over mini-malls—supporting the local and the handmade," says the people of Martha Stewart American Made, and we have to agree with them.

Alchemy Detroit is a menswear-inspired brand for women started in 2013, creating classic blazers, t shirts and scarves for women who have that kind of style, or want something chic to wear in the workplace. Shelley Van Riper of Alchemy Detroit currently works out of an at-home office and space in her husband's warehouse (lucky lady!).

Image from Alchemy Detroit

"Born in Detroit, Alchemy stands for personal originality and ingenuity," says Shelley, when asked about what American Made means to her. "Alchemy allows women to celebrate their unique individuality by striving to offer timeless garments made from the highest quality fabrics and an emphasis on detailed American craftsmanship."

Nominees of the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made competition will be reviewed and judged by the editors of Martha Stewart Living magazine, and an audience vote. The winners will be announced October 23, 2015, and will win a trip for two to New York to attend the American Made Event at Martha Stewart Living headquarters, $10,000 to help grow the business and a chance to be featured on the American Made Market.

Image from Alchemy Detroit

Past Audience Choice award winners include Chase Allen of The Iron Fish by Chase Allen in Daufuskie Island, S.C., in 2014, Mary Kowal & Leo Kowal of SVGCUTS in St. Charles, Ill., in 2013 and Brian Howell of The Bee Man Candle Company in Canastota, N.Y., in 2012.

For more information about Alchemy Detroit and Martha Stewart American Made Awards, go to Martha Stewart's website. Don't forget to mark your calendars to vote for our local designer!

Do It: Course Offered to Help Artists Grow Creative Businesses

Detroit Art & Business Institute has partnered with Access Growth to offer a business course crafted specifically for all makers. This detailed course is built to guide artists through the business steps needed to be accomplished to have be truly successful.

"Very excited to announce that my business course for the creative community is starting soon, and already accepting registrations," said Andrea Rosenfeld of DABI. Andrea, creator of the course, will instruct the course by understanding individual goals and challenges of the students participating. Makers will learn profitable pricing structures, marketing tools important to the creative community, finding ideal wholesale and retail customers, building realistic budget and sales goals, and more.

Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning June 9, at the Arab American Museum Annex in Dearborn. For more information or to register for the course, contact Hassan Bazzi, Growth Center Manager, at hbazzi@accesscommunity.org or 313.203.2677.