Local married couple Jesse and Linda Hunter carry a legacy of their family’s barbecue business through their homemade sauces, from mild to spicy to sweet.

“I said, ‘Linda, Why don’t we just do a sauce?’ Let somebody else cook the meat, you know, get the smoke in their nose and all that,” Jesse said. “So, she did, starting with one of the flavors. Next thing I know, she done made seven of ‘em.”

Jesse & Linny’s BBQ Sauce were one of the around 100 vendors at the Winter Inclusive Market in Lawrence. They offered free taste tests and sold full bottles of their honey mustard — Jesse’s favorite, which he said pairs best with rotisserie chicken — and other sauces, including chili mango, smoked, jalapeño pineapple and more.

The Winter Inclusive Market spanned across both floors in the main building and the pavilion area at the Lied Center on Saturday, and it will return from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Shoppers maneuvered the bustling space to support food, art and service businesses.

Moniqué Mercurio, director of operations at Douglas County CORE, led the makers market for the third year. Its purpose is to prioritize Black, Indigenous, queer and disabled creatives, among others who are building their small businesses while living in the margin, and no vendor fees are collected.

“That’s why I created this space,” Mercurio said. “I used to be that kind of vendor, so I know the importance for ‘making it or breaking it’ these kinds of markets can provide.”

Andante Home

Dell Johnston and his partner Nate Gu had begun noticing skin allergies and headaches on themselves and their dachshund, Willow, several years ago. They found out the culprits were department store candles and sprays.

Thus, they decided to create their own brand of homemade, plant-based candles. They lived in Tianjin, China at the time, before moving back to Lawrence in October 2024.

Each original scent pairs with an original story, written and designed by them. Johnston gave a shoutout to all who supported the market, because they also supported the local economy.

Johnston and Gu hope to evoke memories through their business, Andante Home. 

“We get people sharing stories, like, ‘That reminds me of my mom,’ and ‘I lost my grandmother a year ago — this reminds me of my grandma,’ and ‘This reminds me of my dad’s woodshed as he would do carpentry work,’” Johnston said.

Additionally, andante is a musical term that means performed at moderate or slow tempo. The couple said Andante Home aims to connect people with scents similar to how people relate to songs. Some scents pay homage to their favorite musical artists — and also to Willow.

Solarteeth

Lawrence artist RJ Davenport uses their art to encourage folks not to take life too seriously.

Davenport sews and crochets ties and hats using scrap and thrifted materials in protest of overconsumption. They make prints that balance silly and thought-provoking messaging. Their art is largely inspired by their religious trauma, living with a chronic illness while navigating American health care, and bending gender norms — all experiences they said helped them appreciate the little things in life.

Much of their work, including references to love and white bunnies, also pay homage to their wife, Myah Davenport, who was present Saturday in support.

“If you have to be in this world, have fun with it, like, enjoy it,” RJ said.

RJ said meeting Mercurio and being part of the market has fostered community.

“It’s a great reminder of physical community in times where it’s easy to feel really isolated,” RJ said. “So much of being a small business owner and artist — you’re an accountant and a social media marketer and all these things that can feel really overwhelming and isolating, and this is the best part of it.”

Josie Crochets

First passed down to her from her grandmother, crocheting became Josie Devine’s hobby-turned-passion. Her mother bought her a crochet kit during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she took off from there.

Originally from Kansas City, Devine is currently studying higher education administration at the University of Kansas. Her small business, Josie Crochets, features crocheted animal characters, household items, accessories and more.

“It’s just been a little side project for me,” Devine said. “It’s a good stress relief as a student, and it keeps my hands moving, so I’m never bored.”

Hülya Accessories Co.

A 2021 KU graduate and Free State High School Class of 2017 alum, Safa Noor Adnan has been making art since childhood. Like Devine, Adnan truly developed her business, Hülya Accessories Co., in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adnan is a local Muslim artist who creates jewelry using polymer clay and 24 karat gold-plated hardware. Fond of florals, her jewelry and paintings of sunflowers usually sell the best, she said.

“I get inspired from the beauty of everyday moments,” Adnan said.

The market will reopen from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive.

During the market Sunday, the 2025 Phoenix Awards ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the Lied Center. It’s free to attend and all are welcome. The award recipients’ “creativity, service, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the arts in Lawrence,” the city said in a news release.

Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.

• Instagram
• Twitter

Nathan Kramer (he/him), a multimedia student journalist for The Lawrence Times since August 2024, is a senior at Free State High School. He is also a news photo editor for Free State’s student publication, where he works as a videographer, photographer and motion designer. See more of his work for the Times here.

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

MORE …

Latest Lawrence news:

MORE …