By Claire Sachse
claire.sachse@tryondailybulletin.com

Just a few steps off Trade St. in Tryon, and worlds away from her former life in the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, Ashley Menetre welcomes visitors and shoppers to her newly opened artisan market called The Nest.

The small shop was Menetre’s idea to “bring a collaboration of artists together,” and to highlight more than 20 local and regional vendors’ talent, crafts and products. An artist herself, Menetre’s works, done in a variety of found objet media, are also on display.

Upon entering the store, the shopper will notice immediately the scent of handmade soaps and soy candles made by White Oak Creek Soap Company. With scents like “Pineapple Souffle” and “Turkish Mocha,” the soaps are creatively named, blended and packaged. Solid lotion bars come in flavors such as sugared lime, blackberry bliss and coconut lime verbena.

For the male customer, Menetre highlights the mustache wax and beer soap, made by Mother & Son Soaps of Saluda. This duo also makes all natural laundry detergent.

Purses, pillows, handbags, sweaters, hats, stockings and other fabric and crocheted items are scattered throughout the store, mixed in with woodcarvings, pottery, decorative items, jewelry and paintings.

In addition to handmade crafts and art, The Nest also features a variety of jam, jelly, chutney, honey, flatbreads and fair trade organic loose tea. Menetre offers jam tastings every Saturday, all day, and in the winter, tea and organic cocoa tastings. Gift baskets are available that include a variety of condiments from the various food vendors.

Menetre said that as the holiday season approaches, she plans to add more vendors and more unique items to her inventory. She invites shoppers to find special gift items while supporting the local and regional craft economy.

The Nest Artisan Market is located at 10 Maple St. in downtown Tryon. Shop hours are Monday from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday – Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Announcements and photos of gift items can be found on Facebook by searching for The Nest Artisan Market.