Tucked away on the other side of the hill, where people chatter and bustle about, spring is turning into summer and the Noblesville Farmers Market has started again for the season. Vendors sell all kinds of different homemade goods, lining tents up along the paths of Federal Hill. Shining in the beating sun, one tent returns year after year, a tent called Noblesville Rocks.
Junior Grey Calvert displays their variety of handmade jewelry in the corner of Noblesville Rocks. Their creations glimmer, reflecting tiny rainbow lights on their customers.
“I do a lot of beaded jewelry. Things with wire and a lot of different glass beads,” Calvert said. “I mostly [make] necklaces and bracelets, but I do rings sometimes. I bead those little flower rings, the stretchy ones.”
Calvert and their father have been attending the Farmers Market together since they were six years old. It wasn’t until later that Calvert began selling their jewelry.
“I’m definitely very close with my dad. We’re interested in a lot of the same things,” Calvert said. “Getting to work hands on with [the jewelry] and I get to help out a lot and it’s fun.”
For ten years, Grey’s father, Michael Calvert, has consistently attended the Farmers Market to sell his creations. Along with fossils and crystals he sells, Michael offers his handmade jewelry.
“I’ve always worked with stone and cut and polished it. I [started making] it for friends and family, and then decided to take a risk and do it at the Farmers Market,” Michael said.
Michael was a vendor at the market a few years before Grey joined him. Throughout the years of attending the market, he has witnessed Grey grow.
“Grey started coming to the market when they were about six or seven. And when they first started, they were just hanging out, and weren’t helping or anything. They would come with me and hide under the tablecloths and go to sleep,” Michael said. “They were about 10 or 12 when they started making and selling jewelry, and they started simple with simple stuff, but they’ve gotten really good.”
Following in their father’s footsteps wasn’t the only reason Grey started making jewelry. They’ve always considered themselves to be an artist, as they also paint and draw.
“It’s just the artistry of [making jewelry] and being able to have a tangible piece of art,” Grey said. “I get to curate things and really see it. I’ve seen people at school wear [my jewelry], and I think that’s really cool. That’s probably my favorite, one of my favorite perks of it.”
One of the many people wearing Grey’s jewelry around school is Jaysa Richerson. Richerson has attended the Farmers Market for around three years.
“I have rings and necklaces from [Noblesville Rocks] that I’ve worn since freshman and sophomore year,” Richerson said. “That’s like the main reason I go [to the Farmers Market] is actually to go to Noblesville Rocks. It’s my favorite shop, and it’s got lots of cool stuff.”
The Noblesville Farmers Market is Hamilton County’s oldest farmers market, starting in 2012. From the start to now, Michael has seen how the market has brought the community together.
“I feel like [it’s] one of the hearts of Noblesville. It’s nice being recognized by so many people from week to week,” Michael said. “It’s nice feeling like your community has an activity that everybody can participate in, even if people don’t buy and just walk around and look. I feel like it gives you a deeper sense of community with your neighbors.”
Similarly, Richerson feels the same sense of community as Grey when she attends the Farmers Market. After visiting several times, she feels as if she’s built a close bond with Noblesville Rocks.
“It’s very welcoming. It’s very like everyone’s connected. It’s just really nice to go there and just see so many familiar faces,” said Richerson. “It feels like a tight community. It’s really nice just being able to have that sort of [familiarity] and comfort there.”
Michael Calvert is offering 10% off of your entire purchase with Noblesville Rocks if you mention this article and The Mill Stream.
