Shopping local means supporting a family, keeping talented individuals invested in their craft and also provides a unique gift for a loved one or a decorative piece to brighten the home.
While shopping on Main Street this holiday season, take a turn down Chamber Street to the former Orris Jewelers storefront, where local artisans are showcasing items to create a festive holiday atmosphere in your home, to provide the scent of baking without firing up the oven and to provide unique decor year-round. The Holiday Artisan Market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday until Dec. 21.
Joy Barnard of Rhymes ‘n Things writes poetry and makes candles.
“The poetry came first. I have been writing poems since I was a kid,” Barnard explained. “I’m retired now, so I have time to do something I love.”
Her combined work showcases a snippet of a poem on each candle, while a 32-page booklet containing various pieces, including the full poem to match each candle are offered for $10 each or $5 with a candle purchase.
Barnard explained she chose scents that will give the home the scent of baking without the work, from banana nut bread to maple pecan and gingerbread applesauce, available in 12-oz glass containers. For those who want a festive atmosphere but don’t have the time to commit to a day of baking, the answer is in the candle flame.
She also has a 30-oz candle, available in either Christmas Spice or Snickerdoodle, which features her full poem “Through a Child’s Eyes.” This poem has a backdrop of specially drawn art, created by a friend of Barnard’s named Cheyanne who lives in Canada. The candle comes in a wide-mouth Mason jar with a star cut in the lid. The candle can be burned with the lid left on. Tree ornaments featuring the design and poem are also available for sale.
Cheyanne also created a scene for a backdrop for a poem that Barnard offers full-length on a larger candle during the warmer months of the year. Barnard takes orders year-round and can make custom orders, including bulk orders of four-ounce tins in gold or silver to be used as party favors.
“That’s why it’s nice to be a small business, you can take customer orders,” Barnard said.
JA Enterprises utilizes “firewood that was too pretty to burn,” according to Jeremiah Andrews, to provide shoppers with unique items. The wood used for each piece is gathered, rescued or salvaged and repurposed into conversation pieces for the home. Candle holders, benches, shelves and various other pieces are on display and ready to go home with interested shoppers.
Katie Behan, another vendor who is present each week, offers handmade Embroidery Hoop Wreaths in different sizes, fabrics and sayings. She has other home décor items, including Christmas ornaments, as well.
Artisan Joe Mong creates signs out of colored pieces of stone, which are crafted on a backdrop of glass.
This Saturday’s market will include a new addition: Glen Compton will have handcrafted wooden toy train sets consisting of five cars, made from locally harvested Black Cherry with layered stripes of Aspen, available for purchase. Each set includes an engine & driver, a people car, an open box car, a log car with hand-turned logs of walnut and cherry, and a caboose with removable roof.
If you’re planning to spend time on Main Street on Nov. 30 for Small Business Saturday, make sure to stop by the Holiday Artisan market and purchase baked goods and hot cocoa to support the Fretz Middle School Cheerleading Squad.
Rebecca Bogdan offers repurposed home décor items as well as handmade earrings and will be present at the market Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. Author Jason Paul will return at some point prior to the market’s finale as well. Paul has copies of his book, Lightning Bug Lights, for sale.
The Bradford Raptors Youth Football League will be represented on Dec. 14, with more delicious baked goods and cocoa for frazzled holiday shoppers to enjoy.
