||| FROM MARCY MONTGOMERY for ARTISANS MARKET |||
The village tradition of an Artisans Market once again fills the Odd Fellows Hall on December 10 and 11 for a weekend of wonder and beauty. This year the show brings artists and artisans together from four islands to celebrate the Best of the Best Island fine crafts and fine art with pop-up bar and food features. Luxurious woven wearable art and jewelry, wines, ciders and spirits, and fine furniture with exceptional glass works, ceramics, basketry, home goods, wreaths, ornaments, paintings, books and photography fill the historic hall.
We’ve all loved this village tradition for years and the artisans are thrilled to be back again sharing in the season’s merriment.
Open from 10-3 on Saturday and 11-4 on Sunday, the Markets showcase the works of 48 artists and artisans. Saturday features pastries and lunch foods from Olga Rising; holiday snowmen and cookies from Sweet Craft Bakeshop pop-up on Sunday. Guest island grown food purveyors include San Juan Island Sea Salt, Girl Meets Dirt jams and shrubs, Barn Owl Bakery, Sunnyfield Farm goat cheeses and Inspired Earth Tea and Chocolates. Foods are available for the day, as a take home holiday picnic, and stocking stuffers abound. For the grown-ups, bottled island-made spirits from Orcas Island Distillery are treasured take home holiday celebrations of fruits and grains, joined by a collection of hard-to-find sophisticated dry ciders and wines from Madrone Cellar, San Juan and Lopez Vineyards, and San Juan Island Distillery.
On Saturday evening, a playful new Night Market opens its doors. From 5-8pm the Hall showcases the handmade Art and Artisan works with the addition of a pre-order dinner of festive Tamales by Delmy with a chocolate flan desert. Dinner seating will be in the kitchen and outside around the fire pit. That evening, upstairs, The Barnacle pop-ups the bar for sip-and-shop mulled wines, cocktails, and exciting flavors from Orcas including Boathouse Cider and The Orcas Project. Market Artisans will be present to share their exceptional works and stories about their inspirations and methods. The $25 cover for the event provides each entrant with $15 in fun Market Bucks to spend with vendors and a kids $10 cover provides young guests with $10 in Market Bucks for excited gift buying. Please purchase in advance as limited tickets are available at the door.
The Saturday evening Night Market tickets and pre-order dinners are available online at https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/night/ .
Can’t wait? Ready to shop right away? Curious about the arts and artisans crafts gathered for the Market? Leading up to the in-person markets is a third event you can enjoy from home or on your smart phone anywhere. If you are a Collector of fine art and goods, you’ll want to check out the silent auction presale online that is open now until Friday night at midnight, December 9th. This online gallery presents a preview of the Market wares, special guest artists, and a chance to bid on the one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces from artists on Orcas, Lopez, San Juan and Whidbey. Catch Best of the Show items in advance as a winner of silent auction exceptional pieces. A portion of proceeds benefit Island Maker education programs in the coming year.
Hosted by the San Juan Islands Makers Guild, the shows feature: Basketry by Maria Bullock, fine furniture by Lynn and Steve Emmes, wearable textiles by Sheila Metcalf, Island Knits and Susan Bierley, with jewelry by Sea Starling, Ibis Elements and Charles Silva. Ceramics are by Chandelle Anderson, Ayame and Yuriko Bullock, Sara C Farish, Forest Ceramics, and Ravenswood Studio. Fine crafted candles made with Washington beeswax are by Whidbey Wax Works, hand turned wood bowls and sculpture are crafted by Laura Yates, linens are by Natalie Menacho and Woodsia. Body care products are by Ari and Inspired Earth, farm made wreaths and goods by West Beach Farm, and photography is by Peter C Fisher and Robert Dash. Guest glass artists include Kady Fox of Orcas, Caldera Glass and Studio 45 of Lopez, and Nixon Art Glass from San Juan. Felted animals and paintings by Carol A Anderson bring colorful joy, and fine art paintings by Kate Wood, Debra Babcock, and Stephanie Clair grace the walls with affordable take home works of all sizes. Hand made journals by Susie Shipman of Island Bound Books are a holiday tradition and her gift cards are joined by photography cards and books by authors Edee Kulper, Larry Paluzzi, and Robert Dash.
From their hands to our hearts, join us in celebrating our islands, boundless creativity and generosity of spirit.
More Market information is available online at: https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/wintermarkets/ , on Instagram @sjmakersguild, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sanjuan.makersguild
For your convenience, park and ride or pick-up options are available by scheduling in advance with Island Rides ecars at 360-672-2201. And for everyone’s safety, masks are welcome as needed and outdoor seating respites are under tented covers on the deck and water view terraces during the day and under lights at night.
Come enjoy these live and online Holiday gatherings that honor island traditions and bring new light to the holidays.
