By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD News & Journal Editor
It can never be said that finding fine things must involve a trip to a large area! In fact, you don’t have to leave Harrison County … it’s just a short drive away. You’ll want to head to the small community of Marshville next weekend, particularly if you are someone who loves quality handcrafted items. The Marshville Community Center will be featuring the 18th annual “Arts for the Holidays” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 23rd & 24th.
Elaine Sinclair, who is known for her beautiful handmade woven baskets, has been involved with this event since its inception. She explained that originally, some of the local crafters thought about opening up their homes so that shoppers could visit and shop for the holidays, but they decided that might be inconvenient for folks to drive from home to home. So they hold their annual holiday shopping opportunity under one roof at the community center, and it has worked out well for them.
“People come from all over to attend, and through the years, they have come regardless of the weather!” she said. “It’s really nice because those attending may not have seen one another for a year. But here, they chat and shop and get reacquainted. There is a lot of visiting going on while they enjoy the warmth of our open fireplace and some delicious homemade snacks and beverages.”
Basically, it is way for all of these talented local artisans to showcase their products and share some holiday spirit. But it was emphasized that everything shoppers find there is only of the highest quality and is truly handmade by local craftsmen – all from Harrison County.
Here is some of what will be featured:
Elaine Sinclair, who has been weaving baskets for 30 years, actually travels to Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia to teach basket making. Her hand-woven baskets will be for sale along with other crafts that she makes – even penny rugs!
Donnettia Weaver and her family are known for their hand-woven rugs – in all sizes – and many wood items as well as homemade jellies.
Beth Herrod will be featuring her mamal quilting and long-arm quilted items – gorgeous and finely done.
Lesa McCarty will have numerous handcrafted primitives – snowmen, sheep, candle boxes, ladder picture frames, and more!
Larry and Joyce Zirkle of L&J Woodworking specialize in large handmade wood items … larger furniture pieces such as shelving, cabinets, headboards, tables, etc. – all finished natural wood products. They also take orders if you need something in a particular size.
Judy Mattson Reed will be showing and selling her watercolors, some of which are pictures of local places, some framed, some prints, some originals, and watercolor notecard sets.
Marilyn and Lyle Blake of L&M Farms will be displaying and selling their exclusive herbal products, all made by them.
And Don and Mary Ann Myers have lots of handmade holiday-themed crafts as well as exquisite scrollwork.
A few baked items will also be available for purchase.
Hours differ each day: on Nov. 22nd, they will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Nov. 23rd, hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Nov. 24th, hours are from noon to 4 p.m.
Mrs. Sinclair concluded, “Many of our crafters have shown their products at various festivals and craft shows, and at juried events such as the Jackson’s Mill Jubilee and at Jane Lew. All of them are gifted and artistic and offer only top quality items. No one will be disappointed!”
Don’t miss this opportunity to take a pleasurable drive in the country the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. It comes at a wonderful time to get started on fulfilling your gift lists for the holidays.
Take Rt. 50W from Clarksburg and drive approximately 12 miles; turn onto Marshville Rd. and go 3.5 miles; the Community Center will be on the left. The facility will be decked for the holidays and is handicap accessible.
