Chip and Joanna Gaines’ annual Silobration wrapped up Saturday night with plenty of music, fun and unusual merchandise.
Some of the sellers at the huge get together come from right here in Central Texas, and for some, the annual show has helped make dreams come true.
Ellen Mote didn’t start off with her own jewelry business.
She says life, and the Lord, have brought her here.
"I’ve always loved working with my hands and from a young age, I always wanted to be an artist," said Mote.
She earned a degree in metalsmithing and jewelry design, and after a couple of life changes, decided the time had come to chart her own course, using her passion as her guide.
She takes sterling silver, bronze and gold fill and forms them by hand into wearable art.
That art attracted the attention of “Fixer-Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gains who included her in the annual Silobration which brings in shoppers from around the world, to see wares offered by the Gaines' and a select group of their favorite artisans.
"I just thought it would be a storefront and just full of Joanna’s cool stuff, but, this is better than I expected,” said Colleen Webbles from Rochester, Minnesota.
It puts up-and-coming craftspeople in front of potential customers.
Ellen Mote says it puts her, in front of potential friends.
"I love just getting to interact with people and making connections. I even put on my Instagram today, ‘be sure to come collect your hug’ because that’s my favorite part, just meeting people and making connections,” said Mote.
Best of all, Ellen’s designs have begun to catch on, giving her the freedom to get even more creative in the service of her art.
"Yes, it’s been amazing, the Lord has opened so many doors and it’s just been… I couldn’t imagine being where I am today when I started three years ago,” said Mote.
If you’d like to see more of Ellen’s jewelry, you can shop her website anytime.
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