Meet the Makers - December 2021
Welcome to our “Monthly Mini Feature”! We are highlighting different local artisans and crafters who have been busy imagining, creating, dreaming, and doing.
Our Maker of the Month for December 2021 is Theresa (Terri) Hunt of Terri’s Touch of SOMD!
Terri is a self-taught artist who has had a great love for art since elementary school, where adding drawings to her assignments helped to keep her interested in schoolwork at hand.
As she grew older, Terri started painting on her father’s homemade wood furniture and her mother’s hand-sewn fabric art pieces which were in turn sold at local craft shows.
“Terri has to touch everything!” was how James described his daughter’s keen interest in adding flair to anything and everything destined for the shows.
Years down the road, Terri’s mother presented her with a simple dried gourd.
“What do I do with this?” was the pressing question in Terri’s mind, whilst not very impressed with the very plain-looking plant material.
“Paint a Santa on it!” her mother Carolyn replied, resulting in the first of many holiday creations!
As she was first introduced to gourd art at a very busy period of her life, Terri found her free time to be limited as she was married and simultaneously working and raising children, including Morgan, a special-needs daughter .
When Morgan passed away all too soon, Terri found painting to have a therapeutic and calming effect which evolved into her “happy place” amidst the sorrow and grief of losing her daughter.
Through support of friends, family, and her faith Terri applied to rent a small shop area in the newly opening Shepherd’s Old Field Market.
As one of the first tenants in 2017, Terri entered a new chapter in her life and has since found much joy in creating and sharing her crafts with others.
Terri’s specialty to this day is - you guessed it - hand painted and dyed dried gourds, with her favorite decorated in Christmas themes!
Since no two gourds are alike, each has its own personality and meticulously designed style. Other items featured in her shop are painted vintage pieces such as old wooden sleds as well as cutting boards and utensils decorated using wood burning techniques.
In honor of her late father’s memory, our featured artist fittingly named her new business “Terri’s Touch of SOMD”.
Be sure to visit Terri’s page on Facebook to see a preview of items headed to Shepherd’s Old Field Market for weekly deliveries.
Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, if you see one you love Terri welcomes you to contact her via sending a Facebook message, email: theresabhunt@yahoo.com, or by phone at 240-925-5773.
Thank you Terri for being a valued member of our artistic community, we are very much looking forward to visiting your shop at SOFM and seeing your future projects!
*Shepherd’s Old Field Market: https://shepherdsoldfield.com/ (Located at 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650, see website above for current open days and hours (including special event and holiday hours).
*Facebook: Terri’s Touch of SOMD (https://www.facebook.com/Terris-Touch-of-SOMD-580130772485956)
