Kaha Spirit Arts Owner Brings Good Vibes, Great Art to Tarpon Market

This week, Tarpon Springs Patch sat down with Tarpon Springs Market vendor, Kaha Spirit Arts. Owner, Rose Marie Brown is a self-proclaimed creative expressionist and it shows through her work.

From painting to writing and working with textiles to silver art, Brown's offerings are a true gem for the Tarpon Sunday Market.

The basics:

• Business name: Kaha Spirit Arts (the word "kaha" means "strong" in the Pacific islands)
• Owner: Rose Marie Brown

Tarpon Springs Patch: What product(s) do you offer at Kaha Spirit Arts?

R.M. Brown: Products include "handmade one of a kind fine silver earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets. Fine silver is almost pure silver-.999parts/1,000, earrings, necklaces and bracelets made with gemstone and glass beads" plus "paintings using various mediums."   

Tarpon Springs Patch: What drew you to be a vendor at the Tarpon Sunday Market?

R.M. Brown: "I love Tarpon Springs. When I lived in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach more than a dozen years ago, I would travel to west Florida, vacation in the Bay area and visit Tarpon Springs. It’s a great place to relax.  I love the rich atmosphere and ambience.  There are some lovely shops and the sponge docks are fun. I knew it would be a great location spend time on Sundays and offer some of the things I make for sale. The shops in the area compliment my products and I hope my products contribute to the local offerings as well. I love it that it’s an up and coming market as well."

Tarpon Springs Patch: How important do you think it is for folks to shop/buy local?

R.M. Brown: "One of the things we hear so much is I grew up in a community, a neighborhood and now those neighborhoods are all disappearing. Part of what makes a strong community is local commerce. I’ve lived in many other countries where shopping in local specialty markets is still a way of life. There are still weekly green-grocer markets that bring in fresh, delicious, produce; and specialty vendors that sell anything from sewing notions to handcrafted gift items. It’s so wonderful not only supporting individual small business people at local shops and markets, but you’re also helping to sustain a real community environment.  Besides, it’s just plain nice to be able to talk and know the people that provide services and things we need. If you want to ensure good customer service, know the actual person that provides the service."   

Tarpon Springs Patch: How often will you be vending at the market?  

R.M. Brown: "I plan on being at the Tarpon Sunday Market each weekend now thru the end of Spring."  

Tarpon Springs Patch: What thoughts do you have for the future of Kaha Spirit Arts and yourself?   

 R.M. Brown: "In the long term, the plan is to keep having a good life.  In the short-term, I fly back north to Vancouver Washington – along with other snow-birds – in April of next year.  The migration south starts again in the fall."

Brown says that she has high hopes for the future.

"It’s been a wild ride, so far," Brown added. "One of my goals is to connect to everyone by sharing some of my own creativity; and hopefully, add to other’s own personal stories."

Find out more information about Rose Marie Brown and Kaha Spirit Arts online and stop by the Tarpon Sunday Market to see her art in person.