By Maralisa Marra
As the sun shined and the citizens mingled, the Green Space was filled with giggles of children playing tag, kiddos enjoying some Gibby’s ice cream to cool down, and puppies taking a stroll around the booths at the June 4 farmers’ market.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., vendors set up at the Green Space once again for the monthly market. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day, and the number of vendors nearly doubled from the May 8 market.
Returning vendors included Garrett Fab Works, Mother & Son Candle Co., Mountaineer Bees, Soul Miner’s Daughter, and Stoney Knob Woodworks and Custom Creations LLC. New vendors consisted of Hardman Homestead, HayCo. Creations, Kay’s Kitchen, Golden Rose Creations, Three Little Buds, and many more.
Not only was ice cream enjoyed, but macarons from Kay’s Kitchen were a major hit amongst the crowd as well. Owner and Pastry Chef Kayla Murphy was thrilled to share her baked goods with the Shinnston community.
Murphy said she has been baking since she was 16 and holds degrees in culinary and baking arts from Fairmont State University.
“I wanted to go and learn more about it [baking] and learn the science behind the baking so I know how to make certain things without having a recipe in front of me,” she said.
Murphy plans to share her delicious creations with the community for the duration of the farmers’ markets.
On top of the addition of baked goods, Hardman Homestead sold fresh pasture-raised eggs and goat milk soap. They were also taking orders for fresh rabbit meat.
Owner and veteran Darren Hardman said, “My grandparents had a farm and cattle…but I really got into the goat business after I went to Iraq,” where he learned and fell in love with how important goats are in Iraqi culture. He brought his love for dairy goats back home and uses their fresh milk to make soap.
He also has about 80 chickens which allows him to sell nearly 50-70 dozen eggs a month.
Handcrafted jewelry vendors like Golden Rose Creations and HayCo. Creations also made an appearance. Owner and artist of Golden Rose Creations, Elizabeth Marra, displayed a spread of handmade polymer clay earrings and hair barrettes. Her designs spanned from her summer fruit collection of delicate lemon studs, elegant oranges, and whimsical strawberries to her floral and stone collections that are suitable for all ages.
Little girls were in awe of the dainty fruit designs and some of the other vendors ventured over to snag a pair to best suit their style.
“I’m leaving my day job to pursue this full time, and I’m super excited to finally do what I love,” Marra said.
Not only were eggs, baked goods, and a gift for an upcoming birthday or event right at the community’s fingertips, Three Little Buds of Buckhannon Owner Joanna Webb set up to sell her homegrown flowers. She featured an array of beautiful pink, blush, and cream blooms to share with Shinnston. They were such a hit that she sold out well before 2 p.m.
To catch the next farmers’ market at the Green Space, swing by on July 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
