Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.

Our Makers of the Month for November 2021 are local artists and entrepreneurs Donald “Murph” Murphy and Margaret Oliver (and family)!

Murph and Margaret, along with their blended family of five children, have found a calling and common bond in both their business interests and artistic pursuits.

With a degree in Business Development & Accounting, Murph has long been the “numbers guy”. His past passions have included running a small business of 20+ years (Murph’s Lawncare). Despite a difficult time where personal issues necessitated the closing of those operations, he met Margaret who encouraged him to consider restarting his services.

In March of 2019 “Murphy Enterprises” was established, a new name and a new start to the next lawncare venture! With support from Margaret as well as the children being involved in various aspects of this new endeavor, Murph found his life to be moving in positive directions and his clientele steadily rebuilding.

Although this type of work had always been of much enjoyment to Murph, Margaret keenly envisioned other opportunities, mainly in the artistic realm. Following Murphy Enterprise’s second anniversary, Margaret organized her ideas and interests into a plan for incorporating hand-crafted and custom-made, yet still affordable, locally sourced goods into the umbrella of their business model.

Having a passion for art and creativity since her own youth, Margaret always enjoyed thinking about how to bring her children’s artwork, as well as other people’s ideas, to life while creating cherished memories in the process.

A short time later, a laser engraver was purchased and a whole new branch of their business was born! All of the family members take part in different aspects of design, implementation, and marketing as well as sales at local festivals and craft shows. Each person, regardless of age and skills, has contributed in their own unique way.

ILLUMINATE ME offers the customization and creation of images on various types of materials including wood, acrylic, marble, tile, leather, glass, paper and more! Their services include engraving, etching, cutting, and printing. Types of wood incorporated into their designs have been birch, cedar, cherry, hickory, mahogany, maple, and walnut. Free estimates are provided for custom projects.

Creating custom photos has been one of their newest endeavors and highly popular for the holiday season. Find all of these and other amazing items in person at these locations:

*Port of Leonardtown Winery in Leonardtown (www.polwinery.com)

*The Gathered Roots Boutique in Leonardtown, behind Kevin’s Corner Kafe (https://www.facebook.com/Gathered-Roots-Boutique-105615191368779)

Upcoming vendor events:

November 11, 2021 from 1 to 5 PM at Port of Leonardtown Winery.

November 21, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Fall Craft Fair - Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, info here.

November 27, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Briar Branch Alpaca Boutique & Farm, details here.

December 10, 11, and 12th, 2021 at the Charles County Fairground/ Kris Kringle Event, details and hours here.

View their work on Facebook and reach our featured artists by email at: murphy_enterprises@yahoo.com. Phone numbers: 240-925-6925/301-672-7554