IT TAKES A VILLAGE
‘‘I love to watch peoples’ faces when they open one of these,’’ says Kurt Meyer about his intricate wooden ring boxes, which reveal secret compartments in unexpected ways. Meyer is one of more than 30 artisans, artists, and shop owners who will display handmade goods at Crafted in the Village, A Festive Crafts Fair and Studio Tour in Ashfield next weekend. Add three restaurants, two Christmas tree farms, two church fairs, and four shops — including Ashfield Hardware Store, where yodeling pickles mingle with shovels and sheep feed — and this annual village-wide festival rings every holiday bell. ‘‘The idea was to create a marketplace in this gorgeous setting where people who live off the land can sell what they make and use,’’ says Nan Parati, event coordinator and owner of Elmer’s Store. This year an auction joins the Saturday lineup at Town Hall, featuring auctioneer and local character Mike Skalski. ‘‘Mike alone is worth the drive,’’ Parati promises.
Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., www.elmersstore.com, pick up printed maps from shop owners
JANE ROY BROWN
‘‘I love to watch peoples’ faces when they open one of these,’’ says Kurt Meyer about his intricate wooden ring boxes, which reveal secret compartments in unexpected ways. Meyer is one of more than 30 artisans, artists, and shop owners who will display handmade goods at Crafted in the Village, A Festive Crafts Fair and Studio Tour in Ashfield next weekend. Add three restaurants, two Christmas tree farms, two church fairs, and four shops — including Ashfield Hardware Store, where yodeling pickles mingle with shovels and sheep feed — and this annual village-wide festival rings every holiday bell. ‘‘The idea was to create a marketplace in this gorgeous setting where people who live off the land can sell what they make and use,’’ says Nan Parati, event coordinator and owner of Elmer’s Store. This year an auction joins the Saturday lineup at Town Hall, featuring auctioneer and local character Mike Skalski. ‘‘Mike alone is worth the drive,’’ Parati promises.
Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., www.elmersstore.com, pick up printed maps from shop owners
JANE ROY BROWN
(Bill Regan Photo)
