MALTA — The Innovation Center at Saratoga will host its first-ever Holiday Makers Market on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The indoor market, held at the Innovation Center’s creative makerspace at 16 Old Stonebreak Road in Malta, will feature 27 juried local artisans and makers offering a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, including: fiber arts, woodworking, jewelry, ceramics, holiday décor, take-and-make art kits, baked goods, and more. Specialty coffee drinks will be available from Saratoga Sundry.
“We’re thrilled to bring so many talented makers together in one space,” said Beth Moeller, president of the Board of Trustees of the Innovation Center at Saratoga. “The Holiday Makers Market is about more than shopping. It is about celebrating creativity, supporting our local artists and entrepreneurs, and building community during the holiday season.”
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live music while they explore the Innovation Center’s collaborative makerspace and learn more about its mission to support creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the region. The Innovation Center is a nonprofit that provides shared equipment, studios, classes, and business support for artists and makers of all ages.
In the spirit of the season, admission to the Holiday Makers Market is a canned or boxed good—or hygiene item—donated to Lifeworks’ Food Programs. The Innovation Center will also be raffling off products donated by participating artisans to raise additional funds to support the continued growth of the makerspace and its community programming.
“We want this event to reflect what the Innovation Center is all about—creative energy, connection, and giving back,” added Moeller. “When you shop here, you’re not only finding one-of-a-kind gifts, you’re directly supporting local makers and helping us expand opportunities for learning, making, and collaborating in our region.”
Editor’s Choice | Ceramics by Amoreena O’Bryon Design
For special occasions, the plate matters just as much as the food on it.
Tradition meets modern décor with ceramics that showcase the natural world. Ceramics by Amoreena O’Bryon Design, LLC. are not just a piece of functional art, they tell Saratoga’s story as the “City Within the Country.”
Twenty years ago, while a student at Middlebury College, Amoreena discovered how much she enjoyed working with clay. Born in Italy (where her father sculpts marble and her parents still return for six months a year) Amoreena grew up surrounded by art.
After meeting her husband, Bill, living in San Francisco and Woodstock, NY, they moved to Saratoga Springs, where she built a successful marketing and design business, and worked for Saratoga agencies, garnering clients including Business for Good, GE Global Research, the American Museum of Natural History, and others.
Good for Goodness’ Sake
Two years ago, Amoreena took a class at the Saratoga Clay Arts Center (SCAC) and fell in love with clay all over again.
“I’ve always loved designing and making useful, beautiful things,” she said. “I want it to have some kind of purpose. I use graphic design to communicate something, and I make my ceramic pieces to be beautiful but also to serve a function.”
Inspired by work she saw in the center’s Schacht Gallery, Amoreena began practicing the “sgraffito” process, a technique that results in images that are reminiscent of block printing. She begins by painting a black underglaze onto the greenware that is then softly carved away to reveal the color of the clay underneath (and creates the details of the design).
Dreaming of a White Christmas
The natural motifs of this simple, Scandinavian folk-art style dishware offer modern convenience with a traditional look and feel in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it suitable for any occasion and type of cuisine.
“I’m riding the wave of that black and white aesthetic that people are really into right now,” said Amoreena. She creates images of birds and animals, including some of the slightly “more edgy” creatures (her snake plates just fly right off her table when she sets up at area markets and craft fairs, she said).
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Visually appealing molded designs and painterly animals are also among Amoreena’s collection. She began selling pieces of her ceramic work this past summer at the Block Island, RI farmers’ market table her mother, painter and ceramicist Leslie Hartnett, has operated there for 37 years. Amoreena was also among the rotating selection of ceramic artists at Saratoga’s Second Sunday Market in Saratoga Springs’ Congress Park and recently exhibited at the Opus 40 Fall Faire in Saugerties, NY.
This season, add country charm to your holiday shopping list. Find Amoreena Ceramics on November 29th, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Saratoga City Center’s Holiday Craft Marketplace; on December 7th, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the LARAC Winter Arts Festival at the Queensbury Hotel; and on December 13th, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Night Work Bread Bakery’s Pop-Up Shop in Ballston Spa.
In the Spring, find her at the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Home & Lifestyle Show’s Artisan Showcase, Feb. 28 – March 1st at the Saratoga City Center.
For updates, follow @amoreena_ceramics on Instagram. For commissions and more information, visit www.amoreenaceramics.com
In this era of instant everything, a solo maker embraces the rhythm of genuine craftsmanship.
Photos by Theresa St. John
Let the earthy, rich, and subtly sweet aroma of fine leather lead you into the Steadfast Leather tent at the Spa City Farmers Market. People often wander in with a smile and a sigh as they take in the array of unique, handcrafted items. Captivating and unmistakable, the scent evokes feelings of nostalgia, luxury, and quality. Behind the table stands Jesse Rock, the founder of Steadfast Leather. His meticulous attention to detail and calm enthusiasm reflect the craftsmanship behind each piece.
Over the years, Jesse found himself craving a creative outlet. As a full-time web developer by day, with ever-evolving projects, there was rarely the satisfaction of a solid final product. “I wanted to pick up a hobby that would fill my desire to build something that had a finish line, take some raw materials and turn them into a fine finished product.”
In 2017, he found his answer in leather. It was practical enough for a small apartment and versatile for creativity, the kind of material that improves with age. “I thought, what could I make that would be functional and useful every day? A belt, a wallet, a bag that would last a lifetime.” So he dove in, teaching himself the craft one cut and stitch at a time.
Each piece begins as a sketch and becomes something functional. For Jesse, the creative process doesn’t end at his workbench. He sets up shop every Sunday at the Spa City Farmers Market, where conversations with customers often spark the next design. “The feedback I get is invaluable,” he says. “It shapes my designs and keeps me evolving.”
A Saratoga native, Jesse’s family remains a steady presence in his journey. He credits his father’s career as a carpenter for sparking his appreciation of craftsmanship. Jesse’s brother, a founder of Kickstart Cafe in Schuylerville, carries Steadfast pieces in his shop. “Please support your local makers, artists, and farmers,” Jesse adds. “Wherever you are, find that local market, meet the people, and buy something handmade.”
The name Steadfast reflects what Jesse values- strength, beauty, and purpose. “If it’s your passion, it’s worth it,” he says. Between his day job, family life, and late-night sessions in his workshop, Jesse jokes that he maintains a “work, work, life” balance. His wife, Evan, owns Saratoga Awareness, a local massage and bodywork studio. Together they’ve built a rhythm that balances family and creative life. His dream for the next five years? A small storefront, stocked with his own leather goods alongside creations from fellow artisans.
Follow on Instagram @SteadfastLeather or in person every Sunday at the Spa City Farmers Market.
In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, Rakish Vintage offers a thoughtfully curated collection of timeless clothing and accessories, connecting the past and present through sustainable style and local heart.
Tucked inside the charming, collaborative energy of Waverly Square Antiques in downtown Ballston Spa, Saratoga native Brittany McAndrew’s well-honed instinct for enduring style is immediately apparent. Her boutique, Rakish Vintage, is full of old-world charm- visually intriguing textures, varying fabric weights, and unique character that capture even an untrained eye.
“More people are realizing the value of wearing secondhand and vintage clothing for both the environment and our own physical health,” McAndrew says. Vintage is typically defined as pieces 20-100 years old, which are authentic to their period. Think wide-leg silhouettes of the 1970s or the figure-hugging slip dress of the 1990s. Her carefully curated pieces bridge decades and feel exciting to integrate into a modern wardrobe.
Rooted in community, Rakish Vintage thrives within Waverly’s co-op model, allowing shoppers to browse six days a week while the owner balances creativity and family life. McAndrew moves easily between tending to her boutique and hunting for new finds, oftentimes with her young daughter by her side. “She loves thrifting & estate sales,” McAndrew laughs. “She’s always willing to ‘help’ me with the mending and laundry.”
That personal connection is part of what makes Rakish Vintage special. McAndrew’s warmth and curiosity extend beyond the shop floor, where she often collaborates with her mother, Louise McAndrew. A talented seamstress, the elder McAndrew is opening her own store selling deadstock and secondhand fabric, also in Ballston Spa. “We source for each other all the time,” McAndrew says with a smile.
Having a physical location and getting to know locals as they become her regulars is something incredibly fulfilling for her. “Sharing your finds or just that you had a great time exploring absolutely makes my day, so don’t be shy reaching out!” For those who believe clothes should tell a story, Rakish Vintage is a treasure trove worth exploring again and again.
When asked what advice she’d give other creatives, McAndrew doesn’t hesitate: “Follow your instincts and fill a need! Both are important aspects when starting a new venture. If you don’t stay aligned with your own values, it’s too easy to get burnt out or lose direction. It’s also crucial to fill your inner circle with supportive people who value and believe in you. Lean on them for advice and perspective, but again, trust your own instincts.”
Ahead of each new collection drop, Rakish Vintage offers detailed previews on Instagram, but to experience the pieces in person is something else entirely. Each garment feels alive with story and soul, waiting for its next chapter.
Visit Rakish Vintage in Waverly Square Antiques, Ballston Spa, or follow @RakishVintage on Instagram for collection previews and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Within Alice Manzi’s luminous glasswork is a profound interplay between frailty and strength. An area sculptor who spent more than 30 years creating metal and rock statues for public spaces, Alice is now revealing her softer side with expressive figurative forms imbued with optical energy.
“It’s a totally new thing for me,” said Alice, who has traditionally practiced a more academic understanding of the human form. A Brooklyn native who was always tinkering in her garage as a young girl, Alice’s mentor, Ron Mehlman taught her how to sculpt. While in Italy, Alice learned the art of liturgical statuary from artist and Dominican priest Father Thomas McGlynn, creator of Portugal’s 18’ statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
Since then, Alice has taught sculpture, life drawing, and anatomy, serving on the faculty of Skidmore College and Russell Sage College. Her public commissions have included the National Museum of Dance’s bronze Athena-inspired induction awards (1991), and the life-size bronze sculptures of French and Indian War hero Robert Rogers on Roger’s Island in Fort Edward (2005), as well as Minne Ha Ha (2014), a fictional Native American character in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1855 epic poem The Song of Hiawatha (and the inspiration for the Lake George Steamboat Company ship with the same name).
Frozen in Time
In 2003, Alice teamed up with local artists Beverley Mastrianni and Anne Diggory to create the “Rhythms of Saratoga,” a 54’ architectural frieze for the Saratoga Springs Train Station. A decorative element that adds regional flare, the brushed aluminum images depict the New York City skyline, the Hudson Valley, and Congress Park’s Spit and Spat alongside a pair of galloping horses. The team also completed the station’s mosaic floor installation, and a 20’ frieze for the building’s trackside exterior wall.
“They still look exactly the way they did all those years ago,” said Alice.
When Congressman Paul Tonko hired Alice to design a sculptural focal point for what would become Amsterdam’s Riverlink Park in 1997, she based the monument on the Painted Rocks of Amsterdam, an example of Mohawk Indian rock painting dating back to at least 1750 that is now under water. By working from an 1836 watercolor painting by Mohawk Valley artist Rufus Grider, Alice recreated the landmark just 200 feet from its original location.
The structure’s completion was put on hold for more than a decade however, to allow for pollution from the site (which was once a coal plant) to be remediated. When it finally finished in 2011, Tropical Storm Irene inundated the city. This fall, Alice completed The Painted Rocks of Amsterdam restoration, which features 16 native warriors, a woman, and a flying goose.
Sculpture’s Golden Rule
As an experienced multimedia artist, when Alice won a grant from the New York State Council of the Arts to explore the figure in glass, she didn’t anticipate how difficult the medium would be to work with.
Then Alice discovered that by twisting tubes of glass within the torches’ flame and manipulating it with graphite tools she’d fabricated, she was able to create ethereal representations of the human form.
She’s now made hundreds of the 5 1/2″ to 7 1/2″ tall figures in different colors, yet each one uniquely follows sculpture’s golden rule. “A good sculpture should draw you in, and these do that,” she said.
Alice Manzi’s glasswork is available at the Larkin Gallery in Provincetown, Mass. and online at manzisculpture.com. For updates, follow @glassfiguresofsaratoga on Facebook.
A List of Trending Items of 2025 that Gen Z is Craving to See Under the Tree this Christmas!
Parents, we all know how hard it is to keep up with your teen on all of the new trends coming out online with the hottest must-have items! From jewelry to books, it can be very difficult to tell what your teen considers as “cool” anymore with their ever-changing personalities, but never fear, we’re here to help! In accordance with some of Saratoga’s most famous must-visit stores, here are 5 trending items that teens will be begging to see under the tree this Christmas!
1. The Vault Saratoga
10 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs
518-583-3479
ScreenshotScreenshot
2. The Vintage Shop
65 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs
718-306-8210
3. Northshire Bookstore
424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518-682-4200
4. Silverwood Home & Gallery
398 Broadway Street, Saratoga Springs
518-583-3600
5. The Dark Horse Mercantile
445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518-587-0689
Jewelry
There’s nothing more your teen will love than seeing jewelry under their tree on Christmas morning. Anything that adds glitz and glamour to your teen’s outfits will be nothing short of a hit, and The Vault Saratoga is just the store to provide the best quality and design of jewelry for your son or daughter! Featuring stunning and unique antique earrings, bracelets, necklaces and charms, The Vault has a weekly rotating selection of beautiful jewelry that’s perfect for those who are looking for a classic yet chic and elegant look. They are constantly receiving new arrivals, so make sure to stop in at 10 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs and buy the latest before they’re gone!
Vintage clothing
Slowly but surely, vintage clothing is making a huge comeback in the fashion society, especially in the direction of teens! Styles like Y2K and retro are just the beginning of what’s sold at The Vintage Shop, Saratoga’s largest authentic vintage clothing shop around! Selling anything from casual to high-end, there are a myriad of styles and options available that will make your teen ecstatic. Visit the store today at 65 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs to discover these one-of-a-kind finds!
BOOKS
It’s time to give the phones a rest! This year reading has once again made a comeback in teenagers’ lives, and we couldn’t be happier to see it! Parents, although it’s hard to admit, your teens are becoming more and more infatuated with books, and that’s with the exception of what they’re assigned to read at school! If this sounds like it could be your child, say hello to Northshire Bookstore of Saratoga! This beautiful two-floor bookstore has everything your teen could possibly imagine in the realm of books. From fantasy to non-fiction and thrillers to autobiographies, Northshire Bookstore has it all! Located on the main strip of Broadway Street in downtown Saratoga, it’s the kind of store that once you enter, it’s extremely difficult to leave. So, if your teen has caught themself in a reading slump, Northshire is just the place to rediscover their passion!
CANDLES
If there’s one thing teens love the most, it’s having themselves and the area surrounding them smell phenomenal! Candles have become a huge hit in the teen age group this year, and it’s no wonder! Stores like Silverwood Home & Gallery in Saratoga offer a plethora of candle selections, including different scents to fit different moods and seasons for an unique appeal to each candle. Their signature Lifetime Candles are accompanied with a glass wick that’s meant to last years, and they come in various shapes and sizes, along with a different look. Each candle is designed to appear as still-life; like nature frozen in time. Your teen will be obsessed with these everlasting candles that will one-up the dull scents of their everyday lives. If interested, you can purchase the entire collection in-store at 398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, or visit their website at Silverwoodgalleries.com to learn more!
BUMPER STICKERS
It’s an exciting time for teens who are beginning their driving journey! Having your teen behind the wheel can be scary, but there’s also many ways to make it fun! Especially these days, teens are finding all kinds of different, bizarre and extra ways to decorate and redesign the interior and exterior of their car once they start driving. Instead of items that are cheaply made, flashy and not to mention, expensive, we’re offering a cheaper and more traditional alternative: bumper stickers! The Dark Horse Mercantile offers a small but reasonable selection of cute bumper stickers that can serve as an addition to spice up your teen’s vehicle, as well as being a souvenir from Saratoga! Additionally located on the main strip of Broadway in downtown, The Dark Horse Mercantile is the perfect little shop for all things traditional, in the best of ways! Interested in purchasing a bumper sticker for your teen? Visit the shop at 445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, or visit their website at Impressionssaratoga.com for more information.
The Saratoga Day Spa—located at 376 Broadway, Suite 21 in downtown Saratoga Springs—recently celebrated its new ownership at a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The business is now owned by Kierra Bertrand, who “aims to provide high-quality, reasonably priced services that help clients look and feel their best,” the chamber said. The racetrack-themed Saratoga Day Spa was first founded in 2016. Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
BALLSTON SPA — Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) recently announced that Matt Becker has joined the bank as its new vice president, wealth management solutions officer.
In his new role, Becker will focus on delivering personalized financial solutions to clients with an emphasis on investment management, estate planning, tax strategies, and comprehensive wealth preservation. He will also help to ensure that BSNB’s wealth management offerings meet the diverse needs of individuals and families across the region by engaging with the community, participating in local events, and forging new partnerships.
Prior to joining BSNB, Becker spent nearly a decade at Arrow Bank, most recently serving as an assistant vice president of retirement programs and plan administration.
“Matt understands that wealth management is about more than numbers – it’s about helping clients achieve what matters most to them,” said Jeff Goliber, vice president, director of wealth management solutions at BSNB. “His depth of experience in retirement planning and his collaborative approach will enhance our ability to provide thoughtful, personalized financial strategies for every stage of life.”
Ballston Spa National Bank is a community bank headquartered in Ballston Spa.
Jones & 50 Wine and Spirits celebrated its grand re-opening under new ownership with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 21 hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The store is located at 4208 NY-50 in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided by the chamber.
Spectators prepare to hear business pitches at Startup Saratoga, an annual event that occurred this year at Innovation Center Saratoga in Ballston Spa. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
BALLSTON SPA — Startup Saratoga—an annual event similar to “Shark Tank” that allows local innovators to pitch their business ideas—took place, appropriately enough, at Innovation Center Saratoga last Thursday.
Five entrepreneurs presented their ideas to a packed house of business leaders, investors, mentors, and students. Of those five pitches, one was especially applicable to Saratoga Springs and its equine industry.
Riley Studebaker, a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) who focuses on advanced digital fabrication, is perhaps best known as the founder of MetaOrnate, a company that installed the first, permanent 3D-printed ceramic façade in the western hemisphere in 2024.
But Studebaker also grew up on a horse farm, and his latest ambition is to use a new method of 3D scanning and printing to better the equestrian world.
Saddles, Studebaker said, can be uncomfortable for horses, even when those saddles are designed for a specific horse. And since horses typically only wear their saddles for a relatively small amount of time, there’s not enough opportunity for the animals to break in their saddles in the way that a human might break in a new boot. That’s where 3D scanning and printing technology comes in.
Studebaker wants to fabricate “exact replicas of unique horses’ backs to passively break in saddles when not in use,” he said during his Startup Saratoga pitch.
The RPI prof acknowledged that some existing companies already provide a similar service, but he said these services were one-size-fits-all, lacked customization, and don’t respond to the curvature or asymmetries of horses’ backs. “It’s not that good because it’s not that accurate,” Studebaker said.
Studebaker’s solution is to use a combination of 3D scanning and what he called a “novel” method of 3D printing to create an uber-precise replica of horses’ backs that would allow saddles to be broken in without the horses having to do much of anything. This process of scanning and creating a horse’s back would only take about five days, Studebaker said.
And because horses are athletes with bodies that can change shape, the 3D scanning and printing service could be repeated a number of times to create up-to-date replicas of horses’ backs. Studebaker’s initial strategy would be to market these products to horse trainers while also partnering with saddle manufacturers and horse show venues. Some lucky horse owners might even be able to get one of these 3D-printed products for free.
“We want to make some and give them away as first-place prizes for high-profile horse shows in the Saratoga region to get some customer feedback,” Studebaker said. “From there, an active subscription is $800 per scan; four scans per year.”
Although any small boost to a horse’s comfort could positively impact its performance and thus result in more prize money, Studebaker emphasized that the horse owners he’s spoken with prioritize the well-being of their animals most of all.
“Honestly, horse people just love their horses,” he said. “One of them articulated it to me in this capacity: ‘Owning a nice show horse is like owning a race car that’s also your best friend.’”
