Nestled in the heart of downtown Travelers Rest, TR Makers Co. is a well-known hot spot for artisans and art lovers alike. Here you can find handcrafted goods from local and global makers, as well as maker kits, unique gifts for the home, and so much more! Shop in person or browse our website. Then have your items shipped or schedule complimentary curbside pickup.
Looking for an experience or class? TR Makers Co. also encourages everyone to play creatively-regardless of age! Choose from an extensive variety of art-based activities, such as our Play Dates, Arts Lead Learning Classes for kids, Mini Makers, birthday parties, private events and custom experiences. We even offer offsite event planning for groups!
Be creative or be inspired, your journey of the handmade arts continues at TR Makers Co through events and locally curated goods.
Thank you for supporting the artisans who help to make this happen! Follow along on Facebook or Instagram @trmakersco.
Meet the Makers
Mackenzie Elliott
Owner, Painter, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator, Certified School Counselor K-12
Mackenize took over as the new owner of TR Makers Co. in the late summer of 2025. She has over 15 years of experience teaching children and adults of all ages. She is extremely excited to continue the mission of TR Makers Co. and provide a creative and welcoming environment to all who walk in the doors. Mackenzie has been involved in the arts since a young age. She attended a weekly afterschool art class that turned her into the artist she is today. After graduating from the Fine Arts Center Visual Arts program, she attended the College of Charleston. She returned to the upstate and discovered her love of teaching. She finished her Masters Degree in School Counseling in 2022 while running a successful art business.
Kristin LaRoy
Founder, Multidisciplinary Arts Educator, and SmartARTS Certified Teaching Artist
“We are all creatives; it is the unique gift that makes us human.” These words, spoken by Kristin LaRoy, are the basis for her work as the director of TR Makers Co. and as multidisciplinary arts integration educator. While LaRoy enjoys creating her own works of art in the performing and fine arts realm, she is also passionate about helping others reach their own creative potential and experiencing the arts for themselves.
In the year 2015, LaRoy founded the Travelers Rest Makers Company—a haven where individuals of all ages are not only inspired by fine crafts but also instructed in the techniques that underpin these artistic endeavors. Beyond adult and student arts programming, LaRoy pioneered a Homeschool and Mini Makers program with a multidisciplinary arts integration approach, an effective conduit for imparting academic lessons using multiple art forms. Her dedication to private education has also spread into the public school system. LaRoy has become a SmartARTS certified teaching artist and works with teachers throughout Greenville County to create unique lessons that integrate dance and fine craft with their curriculum.
In recent years, LaRoy’s endeavors have garnered her several notable accolades, including the Carrie and Skip Gordon Emerging Teaching Artist Award and the title of Travelers Rest Business Person of the Year. Furthermore, her programming has received acclaim as a family favorite, earning recognition through Kidding Around Greenville’s KABOOM awards, where it was distinguished as the best Art Program and secured a finalist spot in the Best Baby/Toddler program category.
In addition to her career achievements, LaRoy takes great pride in her role as a devoted wife, mother of two and dog mom of one. She finds joy in embarking on adventures and embracing the great outdoors. Her adventurous spirit has led her to explore various corners of the United States and traverse the landscapes of seven different countries.