A Holiday Fair

Often in the past I have been on the vendor side of the Holiday Arts & Crafts fairs. When I belonged to the Assistance League in Corvallis, we worked on craft items for months in preparation for the annual fund-raising Holiday Bazaar event. And when I lived on San Juan Island, the day before Thanksgiving was dedicated to setting up my booth for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday Island Artisans Annual Holiday Marketplace. I sold my framed botanicals, photography, hand-stitched crazy quilt hearts, and wild rosehip wreaths. Oh the work that goes into those events! Which is why I could appreciate being on the other side of the table today at the Roeder Home Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Program of Whatcom County. The historic home is itself a showcase… taking five years to build from 1903 to 1908.

The home itself was ultra-modern for its time with a vacuum system throughout its entirety. The vacuum pump was located in the basement as well as the wood burning furnace that was made from a Great Northern railway boiler. Equipped both for electricity and gas, the beautiful brass light fixtures, some with Steuben glass shades, are still in use today. The house also has five fireplaces.

Baskets were provided for carrying chosen items. A harp played softly in the background. There was jewelry, hand painted crystal, knitted scarves and hats, pottery, paintings, photography, rocks painted to look like cats, tree ornaments, and hand-crafted snowmen, Santas, and tiny mice. For myself I chose a snowman in top hat with a black crow on his shoulder. Then we found what we considered perfect gifts for my three sisters… but that’s a secret.

... PLM