Meet the Creators

Angie Deak

Grace and Rose Designs & Made on Main Studio

I am a graphic designer by degree and a maker by nature. I thrive in a creative environment and I’m happiest doing what I love - making things. I’ve been a graphic designer for over 20 years, working in sales and marketing with newspapers, magazines and independently for local businesses. In 2017, I began designing and constructing wood signs for friends which gave me a creative outlet I didn’t realize I was missing at the time. The signs gained popularity on social media, and over the next few years I was able to stay busy accepting orders via direct contact and through social media. My sign business has seamlessly fused my design eye and experience with my crafting skills and knack for building and using power tools. I am the owner of Made on Main, a creative studio and handmade boutique in Milford, Indiana, where I teach wood sign workshops and lead art club for kids. In the studio, we host a variety of adult and kid workshops, as well as partner with over 30 local artists to sell their products in the handmade boutique.

I’ve been married to my husband, Mike, for 11 years, and we have two daughters who keep us on our toes. We are members of Wawasee Community Bible Church and very involved and active in our local community. I currently serve as Vice President of Meet Milford, a non-profit that organizes and promotes family friendly events in Milford. I am also a volunteer art instructor at Harvest Coffee, where I guide kids through simple art projects each month. My heart is for people, and I believe everyone is an artist. My mission is to help people tap into their creative instinct and discover their inner artist.

Tonya Martin

TBrookeCandles

My name is Tonya Martin! In 2017 I started making candles from my home as a way to create joy to share to others, a creative outlet for myself, and to make clean natural candles for our home! These 100% soy candles are made in small batches here in my home in Wakarusa, IN without all the chemicals. When supporting TBrookeCandles you are supporting a mama run local Indiana business!

Samantha Tucker

Author of Daughter of the King

Samantha Tucker is a ministry writer, freelance graphic designer, model, & social media marketer! Samantha is building her brand: @Themichianagal. Samantha believes in creating a Christ-centered sisterhood with a love of small business. Samantha is married to her high school sweetheart Trevor & they have two cats together. Samantha loves coffee dates, antique shopping, & sharing the gospel!

Abi Ruth Miller

Abi’s Arrowed Art

I’m an arrow in God’s hand to bring light, hope and love into dark places. I go wherever He sends me and use whatever He puts in my hands to bless others. He’s given me the opportunity to make pottery to remind me and others that He can make beautiful masterpieces out of dust.

With His touch and in His timing, He can make any mess beautiful!

Hayley Priem

A Touch of Grace CO

A Touch of Grace Co. specializes in clay earrings and adds many embellishments to their pieces! Some of these include wood, brass, and acrylic findings!

It all started when my youngest boy was in the hospital with a septic infection in his blood. I truly felt like God had greater plans and led me to learn how to make clay jewelry during his one month stay.

Now, A Touch of Grace has been represented at many artisan markets in Indiana and Michigan, with plans to do much more!

I hope my jewelry brings you joy!

Amanda Monroe

A+ Creations

Hello, friends! My name is Amanda and I’m a wife, mother, and middle school teacher!

I began A+ Creations in late 2019 right after my daughter was born. I found myself inspired by other makers who were using their talents and sharing them with those around them. After much encouragement from my family and friends, I signed up for my first artisan market with just a few styles of handmade polymer clay earrings.

Since then, A+ Creations has grown and continues to add new styles of handmade mixed media earrings including polymer clay, brass, finished and unfinished wood, and macrame. I am excited to partner with The Light Stand Local to bring you exclusive, collaborative pieces.

Casey Haist

Founder of The Light Stand Local Market, Artist, and Author of Masterpiece Material

Hey, I’m Casey! A child of God, creative communicator, visionary, artist, writer and certified “vision + hope coach.” I’m also a wife and a Mom of two crazy and cool boys. I’ve owned business, Breath of Life Essentials, and written a book, Masterpiece Material. I’ve always enjoyed writing and God gave me that little “nudge” that the words He had encouraged my heart with weren’t “just for me and my journal,” but meant to share. I knew that I was supposed to share the images and stories of the beautiful work of identity in Christ God had done in my own life with others. I had to share that story of identity and freedom from the same perspective God had shown me, because maybe, just maybe, someone else needed to hear it in the same way I did and it would change their life.

Through owning a jewelry business in the past and experiencing the long, sometimes very challenging journey that comes along with self-publishing a book, my heart has grown for local makers, business owners and authors. I want to see them shine in their gifts so we can all experience a little bit more of God. We are, afterall, made in His image. That’s what The Local Light Stand Market exists to do.

Mattie Book

Author of Raising Special Stars

Hey! I’m Mattie Book! I hold a master's degree in nursing education and write a blog for women called Dwell at the Well. My love for Jesus is contagious, and I hope to meet readers where they are to encourage them with God's Word and equip them with God's promises. My husband, Zachary and I live with our three kids in Southwest Michigan.

All too often, mothers of children with special needs find themselves in the dark, facing struggles few people understand. I want to remind others that it was in the dark that God placed the stars. I have a heart to encourage moms to run to God's throne, see in high definition, climb to high altitudes, and walk on the waves that rage against them.

Raising Special Stars offers empowerment for moms who have children with special needs. This sixteen-week Bible study addresses the loss, loneliness, and obstacles moms face when navigating through motherhood with kids that have unique challenges. Each week provides truth and insightful perspectives for those that find themselves on paths that they did not plan. Here mothers will find relatable experiences and shared struggles, as well as confidence and security in God's promises. This is an invitation to see the stars shine from a different point of view and become fueled with purpose for the journey that was set apart for our children.

If you are a woman raising children with special needs, Raising Special Stars can bring you hope and purpose on your journey that shines a little differently.