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<\/p>\nST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Along Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach, tents lined the street, artwork filled display booths, and business owners shared more than just products with customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For many vendors at the Corey Art & Craft Festival, the event represents years of hard work, career changes, and the pursuit of lifelong passions.<\/p>\n
From Military Service to Beekeeping <\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
For North Port Apiary’s Davyd Fedotenko, the road to running a small business looked very different just a few years ago.<\/p>\n
Fedotenko previously served in the Air Force and later worked in structural manufacturing for helicopter parts before joining his father’s beekeeping business.<\/p>\n
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Now, he travels throughout the region selling honey and bee-related products while educating the public about the importance of pollinators.<\/p>\n
Fedotenko says festivals like the Corey Art\u00a0& Craft Festival are vital for small businesses because they provide opportunities to connect directly with customers while helping raise awareness about environmental issues.<\/p>\n
“It’s important because it helps local makers instead of just big business,” he said. “It helps us continue helping the bees and raising awareness.”<\/p>\n
Reinventing Careers Through Creativity <\/p>\n
Dig deeper:<\/p>\n
For Red’s Shadow owner Alecia Peck, her artistic journey began after a major career setback.<\/p>\n
After spending 30 years in the restaurant industry and later working in the medical field, Peck lost her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking for a fresh start, she began creating resin keychains before eventually finding her niche in flower preservation.<\/p>\n
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Today, preserving wedding bouquets and creating custom resin artwork is her full-time career.<\/p>\n
Peck credits her success to the pride she takes in every piece she creates.<\/p>\n
“My passion comes from my heart,” she said. “If my name goes on it, it’s going to be as close to perfect as I can make it.”<\/p>\n
A Lifeline for Small Businesses <\/p>\n
Events like the Corey Art & Craft Festival offer more than just a weekend sales opportunity.<\/p>\n
For many artists and makers, festivals create valuable face-to-face interactions with customers that can’t be replicated online. The events help vendors tell their stories, build relationships, and generate the support needed to sustain their businesses year-round.<\/p>\n
Artist Christopher Mize knows that firsthand.<\/p>\n
After working numerous jobs throughout his life, Mize eventually found his calling as a full-time artist.<\/p>\n
“I always wanted to be an artist,” Mize said. “Although I had 16 different jobs, I finally figured it out. It’s what God intended for me to do.”<\/p>\n
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He says festivals allow him to reach new audiences while continuing to do what he loves.<\/p>\n
“As long as I can lift this tent, I’ll keep doing it,” he said.<\/p>\n
Following a Passion\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Running a small business is rarely easy. Vendors say there are good weekends and difficult ones, but the opportunity to pursue work they genuinely love makes the challenges worthwhile.<\/p>\n
Peck says resilience is part of the job.<\/p>\n
“Some days are great, some weekends are wonderful, and some not so good,” she said. “You have to have tough skin.”<\/p>\n
Still, when asked what keeps her going, her answer was simple.<\/p>\n
“I love what I do,” she said.<\/p>\n
For the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs lining Corey Avenue, the festival serves as a reminder that taking a chance on a passion can become a livelihood \u2014 and every customer who stops by helps make that dream possible.<\/p>\n
What’s next:<\/p>\n
The next Corey Ave. Art and Craft Festival week is October 3rd\u00a0and 4th\u00a0of this year.<\/p>\n
The Source: Sources for this web article include conducting live interviews as well as information provided by the Corey Ave. Art & Craft Festival organizers.<\/p>\n