Back to the Shaker Heritage Society
Hi everyone! I recently received a text from my cousin Sue, who shall hereafter be known as “Constant Cousin Sue,” inviting me to attend the annual Shaker Craft Fair. Many of you will remember the post I wrote recently on the Shaker Heritage Society. The craft fair, usually the first week-end in September, is held at this wonderful historic.
This time, I had the pleasure of entering some of the buildings.
Remember this one? The entrance to the fair was through door into the main part of this 1915 barn (on the left). The sweet sounds of a dulcimer met us as we entered the barn and paid our $3 entrance fee (after a $1 on-line coupon). We wondered through stalls filled with jewelry, furniture, woven goods, pottery, and more.
These sweet aroma of these handmade soaps wafted through the room.
Don’t they look luscious?
Outside, a number of vendors displayed their wares.
I found myself [not surprisingly] attracted to these “Adirondack-y” goods.
We enjoyed a nice chat with this mother-daughter team of weavers. Emily Alice Handweaving (Etsy shop)
The weaving process fascinates me. I think I’d like to try it someday. You can see their stunning scarves and shawls in the background.
Inside the Meeting House more vendors displayed their hand-crafted products. I had a pleasant conversation with a couple from East Chatham who print note cards, note pads, and frame-ables, including some Shaker-themed items that I enjoyed. I bought a sweet Shaker Tree of Life note card. Grant House Press (Etsy shop)
I loved every single one of their vintage graphics. Their presses and stamps are all vintage–picked up over the years.
An original Tree of Life painting on display–so lovely in its vibrancy. I painted a primitive, acrylic version of this tree and offered it for sale in my Etsy shop.
Back in the main barn we entered a side room, site of the broom-making demonstration.
We stepped back in time and thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration and the room. My the room intrigued me with all the brooms, straw, and warm wood.
Corn straw, grown on the property, waiting to find its way into a broom–after it dries.
Sue and I listened to tales of local history from the broom-master and from an audience member, both of whom attended a local one room school house when in kindergarten. (The Verdoy Schoolhouse, located on the property of another historic site, the Pryn House.)
The finished hand broom.
A broom cutter, rescued from a nearby attic. The lighting and the room cast a spell upon me.
A bundle of dried straw, ready for a broom.
The broom-master’s hat.
I really enjoyed your photos of this wonderful Craft show!
Thank you, Melissa!!
This looks like a wonderful way to spend a day…I loved seeing the broom-making photos!
Thanks Linda. Yea, the broom-making was the best 🙂
What a fun way to spend the day, so many interesting things to see. Definitely my kind of fair!
It was lovely–
I have been to craft shows like this down by Fox River where I live. Aren't they wonderful? Such fantastic pictures. Ironic enough a friend of mine and I went to an estate sale this past Friday & I haven't been to one in like forever. The man that past away was collecting antiques to open up an antique store and they were everywhere especially pictures/frames and they were on the wall and barely a piece of wall was showing. You would have loved it. Every room and floor was filled with so many things. I bought this great big tupperware item filled with Christmas wrap rolls (it was tall about 3 ft high) and there were ribbons too for $2.00 what a deal & so many other great Christmas items, but my treasure was the old ornaments I found. I don't think they new what they had because I bought one for $3.00 and I researched it and so far it's worth $75… woo hoo… still researching the rest. I love estates sales. 🙂 Sure wish I had you with me! Woo Hoo 🙂 I might be doing a Post on it soon. Have a great day! 🙂
🙂 Sounds like you got some great stuff, Marie–the start of selling vintage on Etsy for you?
Very cool – I loved the barn and the brooms (it's my 2nd car, tee hee).
LOL 🙂
Hi Diana, wow what a really nice craft show. I love that barn and looks like something I'd love to do on a nice fall weekend!
My kind of place! Happy Fall! Lisa @ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air
Thanks for the visit, Lisa–I'm going to pop over and visit your blog 🙂
How wonderful – I'd love all of that!
That barn is an awesome location for a fair.
Wow! Better than Disney World! (Of course!) Beautiful barn, fabulous crafts and art. I loved your Tree of Life painting — gorgeous on that black background.
How wonderful, it's shopping and history rolled into one! Featuring at the History & Home Link Party features board on Pinterest, thanks for sharing – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com