Hand-made Winter Market gifts go home for Christmas
Visitors to Cache Valley Gardeners’ Winter Gift Market found an array of unique gifts ranging from ceramics and jewelry to hats handcrafted by local artists.
The food didn’t hurt the holiday gift giving spirit either.
“Wands for fine imaginations,” hand turned, hardwood wands, were shown by Spencer Robinson, a vendor at the market. He started making them because even though he is a Harry Potter fan, he discovered how expensive wands cost online.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Robinson said. “Adults buy them, too.”
Robinson gets the wood from Ogden and Salt Lake City and makes them with a lathe. He has used 20 different types of wood from all around the world. Most wands are from $25 to $40.
Christina May sold crocheted hats and scarves. She just learned to knit so she had a couple knitted hats, too.
“It probably takes two to three hours for one hat,” May, who has been crocheting hats for five years, said.
Necklaces, earrings and bracelets were also well represented by a number of independent jewelers at the event.
Other items at the market included cloth bags, hats, woodwork items, cutting boards, candles, pottery, lotions, soaps and glass products.
“I color it and add chemicals to make the bubbles,” said Leona Hawks who makes fused glass. She also added copper to some of the pieces to add a gold color.
Wreath-making demonstrations were provided by master gardeners.
Zac Bettinger, who has been playing the guitar for more than 40 years, kicked off the live music at the event. Bettinger played acoustic and finger-picking style guitar.
Bettinger was followed by Robert Hamlin who played many children’s songs including “Down by the Bay,” and Christmas songs including the old favorite, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on his acoustic guitar.
Jasmine Michaelson played acoustic folk-rock music and sang original and cover songs and Jeremy Nivison, from KSM Music, ended the night with his bass guitar and jazz trio.
Food was also available, reflecting the culinary talents of several area cooks.
Shaunda Kennedy Wenger had fudge, apple pie, pumpkin pie, homemade vanilla ice cream and punch. Proceeds went to Nibley Elementary School to help build a new computer lab and a new playground.
Wenger also had signed copies of the book she co-wrote called “The Book Lovers Cookbook.”
Jen Kennedy Croft prepared holiday pies and cakes and proceeds went to the Newman Center at the St. Thomas Aquinas church.
Steve Ripple and Kim Barker made unique dishes including vegetarian lasagna, beef and vegetable borscht soup, Polish mushroom soup and stuffed cabbage rolls.
A group called the “Hip Mamas” made fresh lemonade for each purchaser, and sold hot chocolate along with their “Luscious Lollies.” The Crumb Brothers Bakery and Caffe Ibis coffee also provided their specialties.
Children’s activities, including face-painting, were provided by the Girl Scouts of Utah and the Child and Family Support Center.
The event gave local artists a chance to come together and share their work and gave customers the opportunity to buy unique items and support the artists.
The Winter’s Market is an annual event held at the Bullen Center.
-sdobson@cc.usu.edu
Saunderson designs produces childrens toys and costumes for girls and boys. The store was part of the Winter Market held Saturday. (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)