Tucson is a place where talented artists, chefs, and craftspeople have taken inspiration from the incredible natural surroundings of the Sonoran Desert for thousands of years. While our sunsets are world-famous, that same sun never sets on the creativity of our finest, and we believe that everyone showcased here offers something genuinely exceptional and evocative of the place they ply their trade. We're proud to present some of our very best here in the Tucson Makers Market!
Barrio Bread: Don Guerra thinks about baking bread upon waking, when he goes to bed, and sometimes in-between. What began as a passion project in his garage with a handful of local heritage grains has developed into a legitimate national phenomenon, earning four James Beard Award nominations (a finalist in 2022!) and press coverage from Food + Wine and The New York Times, among many others. He also delivers online baking lessons for those who want to learn!
Heliotrope: Spring Winders is a jewelry designer, metalsmith, and founder of Heliotrope. Spring’s work is a celebration of the Sonoran Desert and its juxtaposition of vulnerability with timeless strength. Heliotrope is well-known for revitalizing the bolo tie — classic Tucson neckwear — and creating unique jewelry for all genders. In 2020, Heliotrope began partnering with environmental organizations in Southern Arizona and Northern Sonora, supporting their work protecting the species depicted in Spring’s stunning array of creations. You can order her jewelry directly or buy from a variety of local shops!
Monsoon Chocolate: Adam Krantz’s Monsoon Chocolate has drawn all manner of awards from industry peers and raves from anyone who has had the pleasure of tasting his product. Drawing from a variety of beans sourced around the globe and other local ingredients, the traditional chocolate bars are fantastic, the snack items dipped in dark chocolate are divine, and the bon-bons are these unbelievably ornate, hand-crafted little wonders that could capably occupy a case at the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase. Art meets candy and the winner is your taste buds at their café & retail shop on the southside!
Samirah Steinmeyer Ceramics: Samirah Steinmeyer began making ceramic dishes for her kids, transitioning from a career in landscape architecture to start a thriving pottery business under the @seedlingclayworks label on Instagram. Her work is primarily grounded in her native Sonoran Desert landscape. Each piece is a memento intended to remind us to spend more time in nature. She offers a fresh batch of work online four times per year and has a collaborative sculpture currently touring the US in museums. One look and you’ll know — these couldn’t have been created anywhere else!
Whiskey del Bac: Many journeys that lead to exciting creative moments begin with a question. Stephen Paul and his daughter Amanda were burning scraps of furniture when they asked themselves, “What if we malted barley over mesquite, instead of peat as in the Scottish tradition, to create a single-malt whiskey with flavor reminiscent of the American Southwest?” The answer to that question has been a delicious one for whiskey lovers since 2013, when their fantastic whiskey first began to flow into the Old Pueblo and into competitions around the country, winning a variety of awards along the way. It genuinely tastes like the desert that surrounds Tucson. Distillery tours are also an option!