There’s a whole lot being made in right here in New Mexico.

Artists creating incredible work. Makers turning ideas into something you can hold in your hands. Markets tucked into communities you may have driven through a hundred times. Coffee shops, farms and small businesses that make you stop and think, “How did I not know this was here?”.

That is exactly what Made & Found is all about.

Each month, we’ll take you along as we meet local artists and makers, wander through markets, discover great little places and find a few things we didn’t know we were looking for.

For our very first issue, we’re exploring Placitas, New Mexico, meeting a talented New Mexico maker and sharing a few of the places and people we found along the way.

Come along. We found some good stuff.

Jim Holley doesn't just work with steel, stained glass and wood. He turns them into pieces that feel like they belong in the New Mexico landscape.

Inspired by his imagination and the energy of the Southwest, Jim creates one-of-a-kind art ranging from sculptural pieces for the home and garden to custom-designed gates.

His work can be whimsical, dramatic and unexpected. A raven perched among the rocks. An illuminated sculpture against the night sky. A gate that becomes artwork in its own right.

What we love most is that his pieces aren't simply decorative. They have personality. They're the kind of thing that makes you stop for a second and take another look.

Jim creates from his studio in Placitas, New Mexico, and we're proud to have Designs In 3/4 Time as part of the New Mexico Artisan Collective.

See Jim's Work →

If you haven't spent a Saturday morning wandering around Placitas lately, here's your excuse.

Start at the Placitas Sellers Market, where you'll find local artists, makers and vendors and, if you're anything like us, probably end up talking to someone you didn't expect to meet.

Don't rush it.

One of the things we love about exploring local markets is that you're not walking through rows of mass-produced things. There are actual people behind the tables, and most of them are more than happy to tell you how something was made or where the idea came from.

After you've explored the market, make your way over to Soma for coffee and a chance to sit for a bit and enjoy Placitas.

And honestly, part of the reason Placitas makes such a great morning trip is simply Placitas itself. The mountains, the open landscape and that unmistakably New Mexico scenery make the drive part of the experience.

The Collective Tip: Don't make it an errand. Give yourself a couple of hours. Wander. Talk to people. Have the coffee. You never know what you'll find.

September 18 – October 4 | Taos

Art, music, culture and community come together for the annual Taos Fall Arts Festival. With gallery walks, exhibitions and events happening throughout the festival, this one is worth turning into a day trip, or maybe a whole weekend.

Explore the Festival →

September 26 | Corrales

One of those wonderfully New Mexico fall traditions, with community festivities, local flavor and plenty of reasons to spend the day in Corrales.

September 26 | Los Ranchos

Local artists and makers gather at Harnett Park for another Art Saturday. If this issue makes you want to spend more time discovering local makers, here's your chance.

That's only a peek. We've added markets, festivals and creative events happening around the state to the NMAC Events Calendar.

New Mexico is full of talented artists, makers and creative small businesses. The problem isn't a lack of creativity. Sometimes it's simply being found.

That's one of the reasons we created the New Mexico Artisan Collective.

We're building a place where New Mexico's artists and makers can be discovered, where local markets and creative events can reach more people, and where the rest of us can find more reasons to shop local, explore our communities and support the people creating right here at home.

For artisans, that means another place to be seen, share their work and connect with potential customers and opportunities.

For our communities, it means keeping more attention and dollars local while celebrating the people and places that give each community its character.

And for New Mexico? It means telling more of the stories that make this state unlike anywhere else.

Because when local artists and small businesses are easier to find, everybody benefits.

THIS IS WHAT CONNECTION LOOKS LIKE
We met Jim at a local market. That introduction led to another conversation, which led to another connection, and eventually to NMAC working with the Placitas Studio Tour as it prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Sometimes supporting local starts with something as simple as saying hello.

There's a whole lot more to discover across New Mexico, and we're just getting started.

We'll keep wandering the markets, meeting the makers, finding those little places you wish you'd known about sooner, and sharing the stories we find along the way.

Until next time, shop local, explore somewhere new, and say hello to the person behind the table. You never know where one conversation might lead.

See you next month,
Tammy, Terry & Gil
New Mexico Artisan Collective

P.S. Know a New Mexico maker, market, event or hidden gem we need to check out? Hit reply and tell us. We might just show up. 😉