shopping for the holidays.
Walter’s Greenhouse returned to the Market this past week with gorgeous centerpieces (pictured,) wreaths, and kissing balls. There’s definitely no shortage for those looking for greenery to brighten their homes. There are a good number of farmers offering their own spin on wreaths including Forest Lumsden who created this 30″ beauty.
The Martin’s are back with an assortment of fresh eggs and meats including sausage, bacon, fat back, scrapple, souse, and liver pudding. They also have apple butter and jams. Their cohorts, also the Martin’s, have traditional wreaths tied off with big, red ribbons.
Gene Barfield offers a diverse selection of fine art photographs, perfect for gift giving. Many of his photographs are from his travels around the world like this one of a carousel and the Eiffel Tower.
You can also find unique gifts from other vendors which include cheese platters made from recycled wine bottles, chocolate candies homemade by Peggy Gebauer, and fun star and moon ornaments handcrafted by Dana James.
Additionally, Cheryl Dolby has created a line of beautiful, Grandmother Trees. Each one is different and comes with a story. This past weekend Cheryl sold every tree sculpture she had made, but plans to make more through Christmas. Grab them fast, however, as they absolutely won’t last long.
Here’s the story of the Grandmother Tree:
The trees are alive! She wandered into the garden early one morning and she heard them speak to one another… It was a language spoken on another frequency… in another vibrational time frame. They spoke of healing with power and energy and of the relationship between energy and matter.
She was drawn to an ancient Chinese Elm and as she leaned her body next to the base, somehow she felt immersed in the tree… she was the tree!
Experiment: Sit with your back against a grandmother tree… feel the energy… experience the unity… emerge a stronger person and thank her respectfully….
Cheryl Dolby
For those planning to attend Dicken’s this year, I know that Ben Crooks will be there selling his rocks and wooden toy cars, Brian Seckinger with his photos of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas, and myself with a variety of soaps, lotions, and gift baskets. I will also be offering tea tins at Dicken’s that are handcrafted from my friend Anne in Washington State. You can read more about her teas here.
Also, FYI the annual City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:20 pm on Friday, December 7th.
Ms. Elenaeous Said,
December 3, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
I hate that they only have Dickens on Friday nites. It seems I always have something to do those evenings and my Saturdays are empty.
Rebecca Said,
December 4, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Vendors have to be gone by 3:30pm on Fridays to allow for Dicken’s which upsets a lot of people especially since it’s during the busy season when we like to stay later. I imagine there’d be an uproar if we told we had to be off the market at 3:30pm on a Saturday. I know I’d have a major issue with it. I would think that would be part of reason Fridays were chosen as the night, though I’d have to ask Tina to get the “real” scoop.
Ms. Elenaeous Said,
December 4, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Ok, maybe this is a silly question, but why can’t the vendors stay for Dickens? Are those tables rented out to other people?
Rebecca Said,
December 4, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
I’m a vendor and I’m selling at Dickens. However, I have to move to a different spot for Dickens. So basically I have to pack, then unpack again. Vendors can stay for Dickens if they choose, however, they have to pay to do so. (It costs considerably more.) Most vendors choose not to sell at Dickens for various reasons. It’s not profitable for them; they can’t take the cold due to age; staying late is difficult because they wouldn’t get to leave until they’d packed - around 11pm - and they have a long drive making coming back on Saturday morning difficult due to lack of sleep; etc. Why can’t vendors set up on the same table during the day that they will be selling on during Dickens? Many of those tables already have a contract on them so that the person with that contract gets that space during the day, however, another vendor may be able to use it for Dickens. Usually it’s also a better spot. Then the rest of the tables are rented out to Dicken’s only vendors who do not sell on the Market throughout the year as they are not making what they sell. Does that make sense?