Cherry Street Artisans
Holiday Sale & Café

Cherry Street Artisans are back for their 6th Annual Holiday Sale & Café, a community-oriented, friendly holiday fair, to be held on Saturday December 7th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday December 8th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 44 Cherry Street, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Cherry Street Artisans Holiday Sale & Café is a showcase for the work of 11 professional artisans, plus 9 family members and 2 chefs, who have designed a unique and festive emporium, taking place in the beautiful Victorian home of founding member Judy Zemel. Artisans are all in attendance at the event, offering a direct connection with the public in a comfortable, fun setting, with plenty of hours to suit visitors’ schedules. The Cherry Street Artisans all have a rich history of creating fine craft, and love offering it with good food, music, and community spirit.

The Holiday Sale & Café offers something for everyone and every budget – including the very popular sale room, this year expanded to the upstairs. Much of the work offered is not available elsewhere in Brattleboro and is created uniquely for this event.

The alluring kitchen-turned-café is a resting and gathering place for visitors. The Café will see the return of Aew Ladd and her sumptuous sigh-invoking Thai fare, and baker Kris McDermet and her tantalizing gourmet desserts. Saturday evening takes on the air of a bistro, with live music from 6-9 p.m., when Teta Hilsdon and musical guests play, sing and invite spontaneous guitar-passing and sing-alongs.

Some of the participating artisans have been friends and colleagues for over thirty years. There are four mother-daughter pairs, and one grandmother-mother-granddaughter trio. Cherry Street Artisans annual event makes room for family of exhibiting members who have high-quality handmade craft to show, adding a great enrichment to the event.

Returning artisans include: Josh and Marta Bernbaum, with blown glass objects, glass bead jewelry and ornaments; Pamela Cubbage, sewn and knitted items; Connie Cubbage (Pamela’s mother), handmade notecards; Teta Hilsdon’s carved stoneware mugs and kitchenware; Eileen Hilsdon (Teta’s mother), with quilted potholders, small quilts, and crocheted rugs; Cher Jones (Marta Bernbaum’s mother), with her charming felted animals; Naomi Lindenfeld’s colored clay pottery; Jane Viking Swanson, with fine lace ornaments; Judy Zemel, with her usual diverse array of textiles, jewelry, plants in handmade pots and mobiles; Patty Johnson, with handmade paper books, boxes, jewelry and unique gifts; Aew Ladd’s woven scarves (in addition to her Thai food); Ellen Troy, with intricately beaded jewelry; David Schoales, cutting boards and kitchen implements from Vermont hardwoods, and cedar garden furniture and trellises.

 

Judy Zemel’s family will offer handmade creations and will provide fun and ruckus in the former sale room.  There are two daughters: Nina Huld Coleman, with a holiday candleholder-making activity for visitors; and Lucy Myles Billings, with handmade soap; granddaughter Ruby Lou Coleman, age seven, will offer her  delightful hand-dyed washcloths and dish towels; and son Kaj Huld will show his wood carvings.  Baker Kris McDermet will display some of her award-winning hooked rugs. Aew Ladd’s cousin Martha Ladd will display her soft, crocheted baby blankets. And Ellen’s husband Wayne Troy will offer cork trivets.

Cherry Street Artisans Annual Holiday Sale & Café happens each year on the first weekend in December.  Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music begins at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The location is 44 Cherry Street, off of Maple Street near the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Esteyville. For more information: Facebook.com/CherryStreetArtisans, call (802) 254-3530, or email naomilin@sover.net.