Wylie resident Lianne Crawford of Petite Reverie Farm will be one of 200-plus vendors showcasing their wares at this year’s Wylie Arts Festival Saturday, Dec. 7. Courtesy photo

In an era dominated by mass production, there’s something uniquely personal about giving a handmade gift. For those looking to add a touch of heart to their holiday shopping, local artisans offer one-of-a-kind items that blend creativity, functionality and craftsmanship. Many of these talented makers, who began showcasing their creations at local farmers markets, will present their work at the Wylie Arts Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Among the many talented artisans with booths at this year’s market is Get Lit Creative Candles, based in Lavon.

Cindi and Stephen Roberts, the duo behind GetLit Candles, an innovative candle line, have transformed a passion into a thriving business. Their specialty? Crafting candles that look and smell like popular drinks—margaritas, martinis, and hot chocolate, to name a few. Many of their candles are made from repurposed wine and liquor bottles sourced from thrift shops, reflecting their commitment to sustainability.

“We started as a hobby, but after I made a margarita candle for a co-worker, the enthusiastic response inspired us to go further,” Cindi said. Each creation is meticulously crafted, with margarita candles standing out as their favorite product. For the holidays, they’ve introduced seasonal scents like eggnog and pumpkin.

Find Get Lit Creative Candles on Facebook or visit their booth at the festival to see their latest creations.

Wylie’s own Petite Reverie Farm, run by Lianne Crawford, is bringing creativity and craftsmanship to the festival. Specializing in goat milk soaps, lotions and tallow lip balms, Lianne’s natural products are the realization of a childhood dream.

Inspired by the self-sufficiency of the Ingalls family in Little House in the Big Woods, she envisioned a farm-centered lifestyle.

While her path initially led to pharmacy school, her dream came to life thanks to the steadfast support of her husband.

“Petite Reverie,” which translates to “little daydream” in French, perfectly encapsulates her journey.

“I began making soap when my family couldn’t stomach the taste of fresh goat milk,” Crawford said. “I wanted to find a use for the milk that also aligned with my goal of reducing plastic and harmful chemicals.”

Initially selling to friends and neighbors, Crawford took a leap into vendor events this year, including the Wylie Farmers Market. Her handcrafted creations stood out for their quality and natural ingredients.

Unlike mass-produced soaps, her products use a special blend of oils and fresh goat milk, resulting in bars that are cleansing, moisturizing and ideal for sensitive skin.

Lianne’s product line includes herbal balms infused with ingredients like plantain and calendula, perfect for natural itch and inflammation relief. The business is a true family affair, with her husband, parents, and even children, contributing to its success.

For the holidays, Petite Reverie Farm is offering festive options like peppermint candy-shaped soaps and “Lumps of Coal” charcoal soaps for the naughty list. Shop her products online at PetiteReverieFarm.com, or visit her booth at the festival.

From functional craftsmanship to personalized décor, Zukkos Woodworks of Royse City combines practicality with sustainability.

Owners Jason and Amy Ott started their business to address a need for their own pets, Zukko and Parzival, who are also product testers for durability and effectiveness.

“When we got our new puppy Parzival, he was struggling to keep food down,” Jason said. “After a pricey visit to the vet, we were told to elevate his food bowl—so we created raised dog feeders.”

Their ingenuity didn’t stop there. Scrap wood pieces were repurposed to design leash holders, kennel toppers, and even a “man section” featuring coasters, bottle openers, and cocktail smokers.

“I do the woodworking and Amy does all the pretty painting and designs,” Jason said. “I am also fortunate that my in-laws help a lot. My mother-in-law does a lot of the painting and staining, my father in law helps me assemble the raised dog feeders.”

Zukkos Woodworks also boasts a festive holiday line, including Christmas ornaments, perfect for gift-giving.

“We love creating custom products for our customers,” Jason said. “Each piece is designed with practicality and sustainability in mind.”

While they are eager to grow their online presence, Jason said that local markets will always be part of their business. “We’d love for online sales to become our main source of income, but there will always be a few markets we’ll keep doing.”

Zukkos Woodworks products can be found at various markets and on their website, but shoppers won’t want to miss their booth at the Wylie Arts Festival, open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more stories about the Murphy community see the next print, or digital edition of the Murphy Monitor. Subscribe today and support local journalism.