JoAnne's Archive

Weave, Stitch, Paint or Whittle
by JoAnne Leone

I was in my mid twenties when a friend hoodwinked me into an evening of “crafts”. It wasn’t something I was that familiar with, but I knew my way around a paint palette. She was making dough ornaments (remember that craze?). So, I agreed to help. Well, it was kind of fun. I took my creations to work the next day. I had designed a Strawberry Shortcake and a Smurf ornament (now I’m really dating myself, …yes, it was the early 80’s). The ladies at work (40+ of them) asked if I was taking orders. That prospect hadn’t occurred to me. I agreed, set a price on the spot and I also committed to personalize them. I took orders all afternoon. Fortunately, I had an understanding boss.

That night I called my friend and told her we had a business. In six months time, we both quit our jobs and we started working fulltime (usually 80+ hours a week each) at our wholesale/retail craft business. We made everything ourselves. Everything was custom ordered and usually personalized. I share this with you only to explain my affinity for the craftsman. Rarely compensated for the number of hours one has in their crafted item, they aren’t out to make a fortune or even a living on the sale of their crafts. Most are simply sharing their talents, and hoping to make enough money to replenish their stash.

This Saturday, Oct. 2, the Farmers Market we will be honoring our crafters, many who have been at the Market since our first season. Joining them will be the Misty Mountain Quilters as well as many of the craftsmen from Oasis. All will be doing demonstrations of their crafts, so we encourage you to come out and spend some time this Saturday. We encourage you to have breakfast or lunch at the Lions Club Booth and stroll through our two pavilions and see our crafters at work. Of course, our produce vendors will be here, as well. Apples, honey, jams, jellies, candies, baked goods, free range eggs – it’s all here.

Calling all cooks and bakers. Do you know your way around an apple? On Oct 9th the Farmers Market is having an Apple Recipe Contest. There will be wonderful prizes and ribbons given away during our first annual Apple Festival. Bring your prepared dish containing apple in some part of the recipe to the Market by 10am that Saturday. When entering, include the recipe, (Name of the dish, the ingredient list, and the number it serves and detailed directions. Also include your name and phone number). Our judges will start tasting, reviewing the recipes and they will be announcing the winners at noon. In the meantime, we will be having fun with a dough rolling contest. Yes, we encourage you to come out and compete. We’ll have the dough and the rolling pins – but if you have a special tool you like to use – you can compete with it! For details call 706-781-3306. See you Saturday morning!