It’s time to start thinking about the holidays, and area crafters and artisans are preparing for what is, for many, their biggest sale of the year. The Home for the Holidays Craft Show will be similar to the Christmas Through Lowell event from years past although some procedures will be different in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health orders.
“We are small businesses and will be able to stay open this weekend,” says Karin Jelsma, who hosts the Homespun Holidays stop at 13235 Burroughs in Lowell. At her location, masks will be required, only five people will be allowed in a room at a time and surfaces will be regularly wiped down and sanitized. “We’re going to be very, very careful,” she explains.
Overall, shoppers attending the Home for the Holidays Craft Show can expect to encounter the Christmas lights, handmade gifts and holiday spirit that is normally found during Christmas Through Lowell. The show runs on Friday, November 20, from 9am-9pm and Saturday, November 21, from 9am-7pm.
Continuing a Holiday Tradition
When the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce didn’t feel it could host the traditional Christmas Through Lowell event this year, longtime participants such as Jelsma and Jody Haybarker decided they would work together to develop a safe replacement.
“We didn’t want to totally do a virtual show,” Jelsma says. Being able to browse displays, see lights and hear Christmas music are all parts of the traditional holiday shopping experience. For instance, “In our house, we have about 20 decorated and themed trees,” Jelsma notes.
For those who do want to shop from home, one location has gone virtual for the event. Hangin’ with Friends will be selling items entirely online with curbside pick-up available.
In-person shopping is available at more than a dozen stops, including popular destinations such as Tuckertown Forge, Dairy Discovery at Swiss Lane Farms and Joe Knauf’s custom woodworking. Each location has a distinct feel and sells a unique selection of items.
“At our particular stop, it’s like stepping back into the past,” Jelsma says. Approximately a dozen vendors have their wares spread out across nine rooms at Homespun Holidays, which has a special focus on vintage Christmas décor, primitive art and other timeless treasures. Items for sale range from Christmas ornaments to a one-of-a-kind coffee table fashioned from a vintage sleigh.
Stops on the 2020 Home for the Holidays Craft Show
The following stops are currently scheduled to participate in the 2020 Home for the Holidays Craft Show in Lowell, Michigan.
1. Joe Knauf – Custom Woodworking
1950 Parnell NE @ 2 Mile 616-897-8852
Quality hand-crafted wood products, outdoor yard art, bird houses & feeders, furniture & doll furniture.
2. Karin Jelsma – Homespun Holidays
13235 Burroughs 616-916-7549
Antique sleds, folk art, hand-crafted unique gifts, primitives, furniture, holiday treasures and more.
3. Victoria – Victoria Kay Designs13397 Forest River Drive SE 616-929-9117
Home grown herbal body care, where art, history & science come together! Essential oils, aromatherapy locket jewelry, dried lavender bunches & a wide variety of very high-quality, beautiful and comfortable headbands!
See www.victoriakaydesigns.com for products, pictures and reviews.
4. Mary Ford – Mary’s Dazzling Designs & More
13457 Vergennes 616-897-7176
Gorgeous stainless steel tumblers (glittered or inked), wine and water bottles, coffee cups, etc.
5. Betsy Maki
964 Riverside Drive (The garage is on Hunt Street) 616 915-5394
Hand-painted shabby chic furniture & home decor and “fluid pour painting”.
6. Jody Haybarker – Eclectic Finds
423 Suffolk Street 616-430-4049
Christmas ornaments, painted furniture, home decor, metal work and felt creations. Also featuring “Pretty in Ponchos” and “Carols Country Touch”.
7. Teri Molenkamp – B&T Cottage
416 Howard Street 616-780-9705
Cottage & farmhouse decor & furniture, vintage treasures, primitive stitching and barn boards.
8. Marlene Kroft
516 Howard Street 616-550-3693
Rustic Christmas wood/metal decor, table runners, outdoor decor, centerpieces, ornaments & more.
9. Jamie Trierweiler
10296 Bluewater Hwy 616-302-3059
Weaving, silk scarves, rugs and blankets.
10. Sue Murley
2650 Lowell View Avenue 616-443-8822
Metal & tile designs, leather flowers, Christmas garland ropes & decor, car/truck trash bags, Christmas wreaths, miniature trees and stocking stuffers.
11. Frank Leasure – Tuckertown Forge
2880 Pratt Lake Avenue 616-889-1418
Mitten trees, boot & mitten dryers, non-melting snowmen, metal art, quilted and knitted items.
12. Dairy Discovery at Swiss Lane Farms
12877 84th Street SE, Alto
More info – www.swisslanefarms.com/special-events
Facebook Event – www.facebook.com/events/393306288487344/
Amazing vendors, children’s activities, Christmas tree contest, live nativity (kids can be a part of) and Santa!
13. Mary Bommarito – Hangin’ with Friends
Virtual Sale @ https://www.hanginwithfriends.com/ – with curbside pick-up
1520 Cumberland Avenue SE 616-897-0471
14. Kevin Rand & Joan Wisneski
1680 Parnell SE, Ada
Beautiful stained glass items, handmade “Reed” baskets and home decor.
16. Robin Morehead – In the Barn
745 Foreman Street SE
Will include many vendors, many which do customized orders for the holidays.
17. Sherry Grimm – Avon
316 Spring Street
“It’s a wonderful show,” Jelsma says. “Whether you buy something or not, this will put you in the Christmas spirit.”
An interactive map is available for directions to each location.
Leave a Reply