Small business Saturday takes up third weekend of Viva Corrales!

CORRALES — Mother’s Day weekend marked another celebration in Corrales with the continuation of Viva Corrales!

With a focus on Small Business Saturday, there were some familiar and new faces added to the roster of businesses in this year’s celebration. Mi Casita Home Decor, which opened in Corrales in February, celebrated the day with discounts and pot painting.

Owner Gloria Rodriguez gave people succulents to plant in the pots.

“We had a couple people not show up, but it was kind of good because we really only have room for 12,” she said.

Rodriguez’s collection of Mexican artisan decor was a popular stop for shoppers. There was always a friendly “hello” when someone walked in.

Just up the road from, the courtyard in front of Indigo House and Inhabit Galerie was buzzing, both figuratively and literally.

According to owner Marisa Ravalli, the theme of Inhabit Galerie’s latest exhibition, which will run through June 29, is “Hive/Buzz,” focusing on art around bees. One of the artists that sells her brand in the Galerie’s small shop, Melanie Yanke, also had a table out front for Small Business Saturday.

Yanke Designs, her business, is centered on “celebrating feminine spirit” by selling artisan “goddess” jewelry and works from her “Rebirthed” collection.

Yanke’s works have deeper meaning than people might realize.

“I am a small business. I’m also still a practicing health care professional, so I have my own practice that I help women with breastfeeding and feeding problems, and I’m a beekeeper,” she said.

She is also a retired midwife, which reflects in her “rebirthing” collection because many of the pieces come from the births she’s been a part of. Each piece has a component that tells a story about a birth. The proceeds of her sales go toward teaching medicine and general motherhood support services in the area.

As a beekeeper, she also sells honey and wax products in the Galerie.

Ravalli, who is head of a small business of her own, said she is all about supporting those local small businesses that have a purpose. Her shop is full of similar products. She is currently supporting a University of New Mexico student who embroiders clothing that has been lightly used and resells them with a new look.

“Small business Saturday also gives me a chance to meet new people,” she said.

Other businesses that took part in Small Business Saturday were Hear 4 Health, Desert Bird Mercantile, Corrales Hemporium, Sage Valley Pottery, Corrales Teas and Chocolates, Dendro Technology and Belle’s Urban Deli.

There is one weekend left in the Viva Corrales celebration.