Fresh Take: AfDesigns

What’s your favorite part of the market?

The interaction of the community and fellow vendors.

How and when did you become a part of the downtown market?

I’ve been with the market since June 2008. I started out making beaded bracelets and then I started doing glass-fusing. I got out of the beaded bracelet market and developed my glass fusing. This year we’ve expanded; I say ‘we’ because my daughter is here with me. She does all of the tie-dye clothing. This year we’re doing hand-stamped jewelry.

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What do you sell?

Mainly glass-fused pendants, bracelets and earrings. Also, hand-stamped pendants; with these, we can customize the jewelry. We can put a name on them, different phrases, initials and things like that.

Talk about the process of creating your items, the time, supplies and skills involved.

For the glass-fusing I had to learn how to cut the glass and what tools to use. And depending on what glass you use, you need to know what temperature to set your kiln. Basically with glass-fusing it’s just playing around with the materials available to create the look. With hand-stamping I use a brass hammer, metal punches and a steel bench block. And it’s just practice and more practice.

What do you like about being a part of the market?

I have a full-time job, so Monday through Friday I’m at my regular job. On the weekends (at the farmers market), I really have enjoyed the people. We have such a great following of people that come to our booth and I have made a lot of friends. It’s really the interaction of people. That’s one of the things that brings me back every Saturday.

What types of conversations do you typically have with your shoppers?

I have become such good friends with some of them, so our conversations will be about what they did this week. And also, some people come back and ask if there’s anything new that I have. Our conversations are combinations of friendship and craft.

Do you sell at any other locations?

Last year we signed on with a store on Washington Street called Tri-State Artisans. We’re selling there. We’re looking to get into some other venues, shops and other shows. Right now it’s primarily the farmers market.

Is this a hobby or more for you?

It’s a hobby at the moment, but I would like for it to develop into more than a hobby.

What inspired you to begin your business?

I’ve always done some kind of craft. I come from a family of people that are really good with their hands and who are always doing things and it’s in my blood to be always doing something. I thought about not doing it, but then I honestly don’t know what I would do. I’m sure if I stopped doing it, within year or two I would be back doing something again. I’m a creative at heart.

How did you come up with your name, AfDesigns?

It’s really just a combination of my name, Angela Floyd, making it AfDesigns.

What’s one thing you’d like a new shopper to know about your business?

That we really try hard to put out a good quality product that someone will enjoy, whether it’s for themselves or for a gift.

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Columbus Downtown Farmers Market

When: 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, ending this coming weekend.

Where: On Brown Street between Fifth and Eighth streets in the Cummins parking lot.

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