Arizona Artisan Creations: A Marana–Area Makerspace

How one local artisan shop is lending a hand to entrepreneurs and the community while providing local keepsakes unique to our region and perfect for those visiting.

CreditArizona Artisan Creations

Turning dreams into reality that is what Arizona Artisan Creation in Marana has been able to do, providing a makerspace for local entrepreneurs to have a chance at getting their hand-crafted creations out into the world.

Having finally moved into her first brick-and-mortar in May of 2022, Owner Aubrey Garza, wanted to make that possible for any home-base artisan looking for a home as well.

Her store features local Arizona artisan crafts that can only be found in this region, making it the perfect gift shop stop for anyone visiting Marana and wanting to take a keepsake back with them.

“It is all about giving people a leg up, that is all I wanted,” Garza shared. “Make it an opportunity for home-based businesses.”

She started as a homebase artisan making candles and taking her goods to stores and trying to have them featured throughout Southern Arizona. She has since expanded to custom shirts, tumblers, and potion bottles.


An artisan is a skilled craft worker who creates material objects partly or entirely by hand. A traditional technique that calls for high-quality items with attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Finally landing a space of her own, Garza wanted to make it an opportunity not only for her but for other home-base artisans and vendors looking to reach more clientele.

That’s exactly how her business model works. For $70 a month, an Arizona vendor or artisan is given a one-column, eight square feet area, consisting of six cubbies to display their crafts for sale.

“It is just about joining forces,” Garza said.

Artisans are also given access to link their websites to the Arizona Artisan page. They can also contribute to the Arizona Artisan Blog and be featured on their YouTube Channel.

With space to house 84 artisans, there are currently 60 that makeup Arizona Artisan Creations.

Nearly 40 of them are local Marana artisans, others come from Tucson, Red Rock, and Sahuarita.

Arizona Artisan Creation hosts an outdoor market from October to March on the third Saturday of every month out front of its building. It is also free for vendors to set up.

What kind of things are for sale in the store?

The store is run by volunteers who are also artisans and vendors who make up a lot of what is sold in the store. There are no percentage of the sales taken, anything sold is given straight back to the artisan.

Some of the artisans include Mountain Creations by Betty specializing in jewelry and beaded bracelets. Heavenly Glow by Angel specializes in beauty products, skincare, shampoo, conditioning bars, and lotions. Creations by Biff which offers painted resin base art. Full Heart Creations specializes in shirts, cups, crochet animals, and puzzles.

Arizona Artisan Creations also features food through the cottage law. You can browse through select jams, sourdough bread, bagels, and more.

Garza's business model has gained recognition, having been nominated five times and most recently in 2024 for the Rural Small Business of the Year Award in Pima County.

“I couldn’t have a better group of people,” she shared.

Now living in Marana, Garza grew up in Tillamook, Oregon, knowing the small town feels all too well.

“Marana is just an amazing supportive small town, it makes me think of the Gilmore girl’s town, and the small town I grew up in,” she said. The tree lighting, the Founder’s Day, those are small-town things, and the community comes together, I like that. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

Brandon Mejia

Author

Brandon Mejia

Tourism & Marketing Specialist

Brandon is a product of the Marana Unified School District and proud Arizona Alumni. His multi-faceted background includes radio and television news, social media distribution, public affairs and communications. He loves spending time outdoors playing in his slow-pitch softball leagues, golfing at Quarry Pines, and being an avid cross-fitter at his local gym, CrossFit Onward.
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