The Holiday Makers and Art Market returns to the Mill at Shelburne Falls in a new format this season. A new addition to the Holiday Market is an indoor Pop-Up Shop located in the Office Building community room. The Pop-Up Shop hosts an opening reception and preview hours on Friday, November 26 from 5-8 p.m. during the Shelburne Falls Moonlight Magic Festival. On November 27, Small Business Saturday, the Pop-up Shop and Outdoor Makers Market will open at 10 a.m. Pop-Up shop hours conclude on Sunday, November 28 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pop-Up Shop and Makers Market feature work by local makers and artists in wood, glass, metal and textile arts. In the event of severe weather on Saturday, the Outdoor Maker’s Market will move to Sunday, November 28. For updates, please check the Mill at Shelburne Falls website: themillatshelburnefalls.com.
Featured artists at the weekend Pop-Up Shop include textile artists Katie Cavacco of Free Ramblin’ Kids with upcycled slippers for children and other whimsical accessories, Heather Wynne with one-of-a-kind upcycled canvas bags, packs, and pillows, and Sue McFarland, a hand weaver and felt maker whose work features handwoven and felted scarves and seasonal home décor. The handwoven baskets of Karen Sullivan are made using many different techniques and materials. Working out of the Jeremy Sinkus glass studio, Lindsey Gonzalez has her own display of nature related glass art (mountains, leaves, etc.) Woodturner WR Haines of Conway will have bowls and memorial urns turned from local wood and Buckland weaver Emily Walsh Gwynn of Hands to Work Textiles shows her heritage table linens and home decor. Appropriate for the season, weather vane maker Marian Ives will have a display of metal etched and colored ornaments of birds, dogs, cats, and other wildlife. Colrain and Snow features environment friendly small batch candles made of 100% organic soy wax and Julie Cavacco of Hold That Thought will have handmade paper goods including ornaments and cards. A selection of Saturday’s outdoor Makers Market vendors include: Lillian Jackman, seasonal wreaths and arrangements; Helene Uprichard, felted ornaments and jewelry; Missy Ashton, silk screened wearables; Lynn Golan of People’s Gold Herbal Remedies and more.
Last year the Holiday Market hosted a food drive coordinated by Shelburne Falls Yoga that brought in over 300 lbs. of food and $700 for West County residents in need. Once again, Shelburne Falls Yoga will be at the outdoor market on Saturday holding its fourth annual food and fund drive for the West County Emergency Food Pantry from 10am-3pm. Everyone who brings a donation for the food pantry to the outdoor market will be entered into a raffle to win prizes donated by artists at The Mill. Prizes include a scarf by weaver Sue McFarland, a paperweight by glass artist Jeremy Sinkus, a photo shoot with photographer Ben Barnhart, and an online individual yoga session with Shelburne Falls Yoga director Kate Pousont Scarborough. Additionally, the first dozen people who donate $25 or more in food or funds to the drive will receive a Shelburne Falls Yoga t-shirt or mug.
The pantry has requested healthy non-perishable foods of all types (cereal, peanut butter, soups etc.), and holiday baking items including flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips, pie crusts, cooking oils, and stuffing. These items are harder to come by at the pantry especially during the holiday season. Items should be non-perishable (do not require refrigeration) and are sound, clean, and not expired. Cash donations are accepted and used toward gift cards for local grocers to be distributed directly to pantry participants. Checks can be made payable directly to Community Action. The West County Food Pantry is open at 51 Maple St. every Wednesday, 11-4. More information is at: https://www.communityaction.us/food-pantries).
The Mill has onsite parking at 49 Conway Street and is located on the Buckland side of the Iron Bridge at Shelburne Falls. Admittance is free and the wearing of masks for the indoor Pop-Up Shop is requested of all attendees.