Made MV – Artist Co-Op Opens its Doors – Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard

Before I am in full swing with food and restaurant blogs, I am loving the chance to find new Island artists. Not long ago, Made MV opened its doors. Made MV, located on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, is an Island artist cooperative.

So many artists don’t have a space to call their own, and doing the flea market circuit, though fun, can be hard for some. The solution? Made MV – where owner, Holly Lawyer, an artist herself, provides a place for artists to showcase their work.

Holly found it challenging not having a permanent space for the season for her art. Being an artist herself, she was not in the position to open a store just for her work. One day her friend suggested she open a store, but make it a co-op. This would help her and help a number of other Island artists who were in a similar position.

Made MV

Currently, Made MV features almost 25 Island artists, with more to come. The location is really great. Circuit Avenue gets some serious foot traffic during the Summer months, so you have a captive audience. Plus, it’s close to the beginning of the street which is an added bonus.

There are range of things that might catch your eye, from Island edibles to candles to earrings to art. All make great souvenirs for visitors or great to have for yourself.

Holly loves art, she has forever, and has gone through different phases of what medium she focuses on. Currently, she is working on her jewelry line, a couple other fun things for the store, and of course her signature Scarf Dress.

You probably have seen these dresses at the Ag Fair. Holly, as a mom of three girls, wanted to design a dress that could grow with her children. Originally, the dresses were made from recycled scarfs, but evolved into fun cotton fabrics. First, it’s a dress, then can be worn as a tunic, and some are even reversible. How clever!

There are other Island jewelers featured as well. Something that really caught my eye, M.V. Fishskin Jewelry. The jewelry is actually made with fish skin, obviously treated. No one wants to smell like striped bass when heading out.

But seriously, Dexter Nerney makes really cute earrings. I wasn’t sure what they were made of at first, but once you figure it out, it’s really cool. He marks what the fish was and in some cases when it was caught, like the 2015 Derby. What a fun find, and the price point isn’t high. Earrings run about $25.

Perhaps wearable art is not what you’re looking for. How about coffee? You’ll be able to get Chilmark Coffee at Made MV, finally an Oak Bluffs location. This coffee is great for you, a hostess, gift, souvenir and more.

Of course there’s artwork for your walls, including So Focused Photography, which features Island themed photography. I really like these pics from under the pier in Oak Bluffs – so simple, yet so beautiful.

Something else that was really simple, but quite the piece was the Island rock lamp, by Lisa Leonard. The lamp base is made with a collection of rocks from the Island, an interesting way to have a little bit of the Vineyard in you home.

There are a lot of options at Made MV, and the bonus is that everything is made on Island, and most items are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, which makes each purchase a little more special.

Made MV is currently open Thursday – Saturday, but will be open 7 days a week during the Summer months.

You can learn more about Made MV on Facebook. And speaking of social media, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Google+, Pinterest and Youtube.