![Indiana Artisan features Hoosier-made items on Carmel’s Main Street 1 CIC COM 0123 Indiana Artisan 2](https://youarecurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CIC-COM-0123-Indiana-Artisan-2.jpg)
By Desiree Williams
Indiana Artisan, a nonprofit that promotes Hoosier-made crafts, foods and beverages, recently opened its second shop in the Carmel Arts & Design District. The shop is more than double the size of the original shop in the French Lick Resort.
![Indiana Artisan features Hoosier-made items on Carmel’s Main Street 2 CIC COM 0123 Indiana Artisan 1](https://youarecurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CIC-COM-0123-Indiana-Artisan-1-200x200.jpg)
Former Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman created Indiana Artisan primarily as an economic development organization, but the Indiana General Assembly altered the program in 2010. As a nonprofit, Indiana Artisan searches for and fosters extraordinary work crafted by Indiana artists, foodists and beverage makers by creating markets and shops to showcase their work.
“It’s a seal of approval if you see something that is certified by (Indiana Artisan),” said Lily Pai, a Carmel resident whose jewelry designs are in both shops.
Pai said French Lick is a niche market and geared more for tourists, so the Carmel shop is a great opportunity for the local community to see and feel the quality of Indiana Artisan items.
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The shop, 111 W. Main St. Suite 120, features furniture, wood art, paintings, instruments, food, photography and more. Retail Manager Rosalyn Demaree said retail has such a strong future within Indiana Artisan because it provides artisans from small towns with a much larger audience and encourages customers to travel to new places to shop.
“We’re bringing diversity,” Demaree said. “We’re bringing new ideas in art to Carmel. I think we’re bringing people. Indiana Artisan has a good following.”
The shop is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
“I see this as a place for people to go and buy gifts, and I hope people utilize this opportunity in the community because I for sure will be shopping there for my friends and family,” Pai said.
For more, visit indianaartisan.org.