Local Aspen Artisans Create Clothing, Accessories, Art and More

Celebrating the Innovation, Imagination and Creativity of Makers

ASPEN, Colo. (Jan. 2017) – Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley are home to dozens of artists, artisans and craftspeople. Many sell their wares at the Aspen Saturday Market from June – October, but others are found at shops in town year-round. Knowing an authentic artist behind a purchase and having the opportunity to meet the artist, changes the shopping experience and creates a genuine human connection.

Following are just a few shops and and artisans who create curated collections of handcrafted, small batch, and locally made products:

Aspen Emporium & Flying Circus: Aspen Emporium, owned by local entrepreneur Shae Singer, offers a unique retail shopping experience and sells handcrafted clothing, jewelry, home accessories, and more, from local artists and vendors. Many of the artists arerepresented at Aspen’s Saturday Market in the summer. (315 E. Main St.)

Aspen Hatter: Athlete, artist and outdoorsman Chris Roberts made personal jewelry and hats solely for himself in Texas before arriving in Aspen. Shortly after moving to town, Roberts decided to offer his talent to others and opened a storefront. Roberts creates custom-made hats designed with a personal touch for each client and always include a bit of his own flair.  (465 N. Mill St.)

Cold Mountain Craft: Trevor Washko is a naturalist, a writer, and a leather craftsman, who ​developed his craft during several years spent dwelling in the high mountains surrounding Aspen, Colorado. He was the resident naturalist for ACES and unofficial “mayor” of the silver mining ghost town of Ashcroft. After many journals failed to hold up to harsh days guiding, he designed and created a leather cover to protect his thoughts and observations.  He now creates a variety of fine and unique leather items, including fly wallets, bags, home accessories, and flasks, using hand-selected oil-tanned hides, which are hand-cut, hand-punched, hand-sewn, and hand-sold.  Beautiful and functional, durable and personal, simple and authentic, Trevor says “My work is a reflection of me, emerging from the place that I call home.” Cold Mountain Craft goods are available online or at the Aspen Saturday Market.

Heidi Hat: When local ski pro Heidi Wade couldn’t find attire for the slopes that kept her both warm and fashionable, she decided to create her own line. Heidi Hat is an eco-friendly line with a collection of hats and yoga wear for women, children and babies, all hand-sewn by seamstresses that live in the Roaring Fork Valley. The collections, designed by Heidi and her daughter Kelly, can be purchased at the Aspen Saturday Market, online, and at a variety of retail locations across the country.

Maker + Place: Maker + Place is a new concept in Aspen that offers one-of-a-kind handcrafted home and lifestyle wares from all over the world. Owner Michaela Carpenter-Olson, a weaver herself, wanted a place that combined production into the retail environment, so she offers open-air studios to local craftspeople invites the customer to take part in the creation process. One of their craftspeople is weaver Clarity Elise Fornell, who has the goal of creating pieces with less waste and more intention. Clarity focuses on the change of thought processes in appreciating and honoring the tradition and beauty in utilitarian goods and home wares. (316 E. Hyman Ave.)

ReCycle Art Aspen: Local cycle artist Billy Taylor creates unique bicycles in the ReCycle Art Aspen based studio. The bikes, sold online and at the Aspen Saturday Market, are functional works of art with various vintage components incorporated into each bike. (302 Airport Business Center)

Susan Carrolan Millinery: Susan Carrolan Millinery produces women's and men's hats in classic styles that compliment the modern looks of today. Each hat is hand made using traditional millinery techniques emphasizing detailed construction and using only the finest materials, including a fall line of felted fur hats and wool caps and a spring line of panama and specialty straw hats. Hats are available at the Aspen Saturday Market, at Bloomingbirds in Aspen, online, and at specialty shops throughout the country.

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For visitor information, visit www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.800.670.0792 or 970.925.1940