Find your local artists at the Library’s Winter Market | News

What we do know is that Arts and Crafts Guild member Alicia Berry will be there with her hand-sewn bags, wallets and other creations. Berry learned to sew from her mother… sort of. Her job was to cut the fabric. She wasn’t allowed to operate the machine, but she watched how it was done. Most of her fabrics come from donations from others and she makes the most of them, be it for the outside of a bag or its lining.

Also from the Arts and Crafts Guild is Sue Quinn, who makes sea-themed candles. Small shells and other sea finds are dipped in a gel to create a scene in clear glass containers. Quinn loves to “thrift” and brings all kinds of jars to house her creations, all of which are unique.

Dorothy Findlay, who makes jewelry and specialty bookmarks primarily from sea glass, is also a familiar face at Arts and Crafts Guild fairs but also sells some of her wares at farmers markets.

Other crossover artists between the Arts and Crafts Guild and Farmers Markets include Tracy Lee Michaelson and Rosemary Connelli. Michaelson is a photographer, but her work doesn’t end there. Many of her photos are packaged in their own frame or made into ornaments perfect for hanging on a Christmas tree.

Connelli practices nature-based art with a focus on marine life, particularly whales. Her preferred medium is woodcut, and in addition to selling the prints individually, she also uses them to decorate tote bags and other items.

Tracy Finn, a familiar face from the Farmers Market, will also be at the winter market. Finn is known for her photography, but in recent years she has dabbled in beekeeping – so she could be selling honey, taking photos, or both.

Those who sell their wares almost exclusively at the winter market include Erica Tonner, Sue Milliken, Pam Glenn, Carrie Johnson, Sue Marte and Q & A Designs.

Tonner is an expert at knitting and designs all kinds of hats and baby clothes that make a perfect gift for at least someone on your list or for yourself. The hats are cozy and available in different designs and types of yarn. The baby clothes are mostly sweaters, but you never know what Tonner will spin with her needles.

Sue Milliken, who sometimes or in the past sold her creations at the Farmers Market, and Carrie Johnson are both jewelry makers. Both are what could be described as “small series manufacturers”. So take a look at the tables to see what new things they have come up with.

Sue Marte delves into several areas of card making, but is best known for her tarot cards. So grab a few and see what the holidays have in store…if you dare.

Q & A Designs is truly a family affair, with father Paul Quackenbush making things out of wood, like cutting boards, and partner Amber Auriemma making all sorts of things out of resin. Her two young daughters have also become avid crafters and are perhaps the cutest things you’ll see at the library all day.

Pam Glenn also has multiple talents. She certainly has some jams and other preserves like relishes on offer, but she’s also a cheesemaker who has refined and aged her products to perfection over the years. Glenn is also known for their fleece blankets to cozy up with on a chilly evening.

There are certainly other gastronomic offerings at the winter market. Pat Doyle, long known as “the Scone Lady” at the Farmers Market, will be there, as will the mother-daughter team of Joanne and Kaleigh Bernier, known as the food sculptor behind Block Island Charcuterie.

The two unknown names on the library’s list were Michelle Duggan and Heidi Colonna. We don’t know what they’ll be selling, but we can’t wait to find out.

I’m sure there are others who haven’t signed up yet. So be sure to stop by and see who took part.

The winter market only takes place on Saturdays during the walk from 10am to 2pm, but there will also be smaller markets during the Tuesday evening walks, which take place between now and Christmas.