The sound of shuffling footsteps and voices floated through the sound of guest musicians playing instruments in UMFA’s Great Hall, where they hosted their annual Holiday Market this past weekend. The market hosts a range of local vendors and artisans each year, with every purchase supporting both the vendors and the museum itself.
Art
The market featured a range of artists and mediums. Diane Hill presented an array of her eco-printed, watercolor pieces. Eco-printing used natural materials like leaves, flowers and other plants to dye patterns and colors on paper. Hill’s eco-prints serve as a background for the colorful watercolor birds in her pieces.
Rachel Kozlowski of RKArtwork showcased a variety of items. Prints, postcards and pouches bearing her designs were displayed alongside glassware, stickers and bandanas.
“All of the works in my shop are unique finds I would love to have in my own home,” reads the About section on RKArtwork’s Etsy page.
Mira Loyborg of FireDance Pottery is a “self-described ‘experimenter’ in ceramics who likes to play with form, decoration and color within functional pieces,” according to the FireDance Pottery’s about section. Colorful mugs, some with designs like mountains and florals and some with colorful blends of glaze, were displayed at her booth. She also stocked small trinket trays, ornaments and mini vases.
Jordan Tillman of Jordan Tillman Designs presented her watercolor work in the form of prints, ornaments and stickers. Travis Sudweeks of Rose Line Pottery presented an array of pottery. Things like soap dispensers, mugs, candles and bowls were all available at his booth.
“I am constantly humbled by this art, this craft, and I am thankful to have found it and for it to be part of who I am,” Sudweeks wrote on the About section of Rose Line Pottery’s website.
Tristan Adler of Explore with Tristan displayed his wildlife photography of animals like moose, birds, foxes and bears. Lizzie Wenger displayed her colorful landscape paintings. Strong lines and bright colors are characteristics of her work. “[Wenger’s] work is intended to inspire connectivity between people and places, to share the healing forces of nature, and communicate her own relationship with the outdoors,” reads the about section of Wenger’s website.
Jewelry
Cat Widner of Honeysuckle Handmade Studio displayed her beaded earrings and necklaces. Widner donates 10% of her shop’s earnings each month and products to a variety of nonprofits. Anthony Barbaro of Barbano Glass displayed a collection of his blown glass pendants. His pendants feature 24K gold and silver that is melted and delicately incorporated in the glass pendants, a signature feature of Barbano’s work.
Betty Le of Dakatta Jewelry displayed jewelry like feather earrings and earcuffs.
“Drawing on the power of transformation, ancient wisdom, and the magic of every moment, Betty hopes to use her work to cultivate authentic connections and embolden those who are on their own journeys,” reads the About section of Dakatta’s website.
Jamie Printz of J Printz Designs presented her handcrafted, sterling silver jewelry. Rings set with colorful stones, earrings with dangling pinecone charms and necklaces supporting stone pendants were some of the pieces displayed at her booth.
Apparel
Jane DeGroff displayed a selection of her colorful, naturally dyed scarves. DeGroff uses shibori techniques, a Japanese dying practice that uses the placement of objects or the scrunching and folding of fabric to create designs. Bonnie Mackay of Bon Bon Black Sheep presented a selection of hand-knitted products. Her booth’s stock included hats, headbands, scarves and small stuffed animal chickens.
Other Goods
Deborah Bradford of Botanique Savon Artisanal sold an array of body goods like soap, shower steamers, lotion bars and gift sets. According to her website, Bradford was inspired to start her business after living on a boat for almost 10 years traveling through the Caribbean. After returning from her travels and seeing all of the artificial ingredients and plastic used for mass produced soaps, Bradford decided to use lessons she used in the Caribbean and dedicate her time to learning about the use of natural ingredients to start her own business.
Lori Darr of Cache Toffee Collection sold toffee at her booth. Darr started making toffee out of her kitchen, giving it out to friends and family, but eventually decided to expand to a commercial kitchen and now sells nationally, according to her website.
Jessica Duckworth presented handmade candles from Hygge Home Goods. Their candles are made of non-toxic ingredients and use recycled bottles and jars.
Ron Fehr of Acquainted with Butterflies displayed his “museum quality taxidermy of ethically sourced exotic insects and butterflies,” as is described by his Facebook page, at his booth. Colorful moths, beetles and butterflies were labeled with the place they were sourced from and came in a variety of sizes.
Jazmin Gallegos sold her hand-bound books at her booth. Gallegos offers several different types of books, from lined, gridded or blank journals. As well as recipe books, tasting logs, travel logs and fishing or climbing logs.
