If anyone was wondering what kind of atmosphere there was at the Intown Manchester's Holiday Market, this welcoming smile of Kevins from KRM Chocolates says it all.  Come on down and sample, view, be amazed by, the artisans and what they have to offer!

Kevin says his chunky peanutbutter chocolate is one of his best sellers and it is chocolate...not fudge. Another of his best sellers is the dark chocolate with berries. Of course, there is always the (very thick) Santa chocolate on a stick....white chocolate, my favorite! Kevin's links to his sites are:

http://www.krmchocolates.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KRMChocolates/

The interesting spray paint art of James Stone from Stellar Obsession is very beautiful and at times mysterious.  He has a video that you can click the link to it on his facebook page that shows him working on the actual painting that is the finished product next to it. Here is the link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ07pESjFYs 

https://www.facebook.com/StellarObsession/

This woodworker will not be at the last shows here, but I photographed his art to show the diverse types of items that you are able to see here at the market.

Out of all my products, the hardest one to do quickly are my hearts.  Most of the time beginning with a block of wood, resawing into sort-of planks, cutting out the hearts with my scroll saw, cutting the pearl to whichever design with my hand saw, routing out the cavity for the pearl with my Dremel, sanding, sanding, sanding and then polying, polying, polying. This year I was trying to produce on a regular basis to try to sell in local stores. And I have produced a lot and am selling a small amount at the White Sage Boutique in Pittsfield. But I have also sold a lot.  Since the Art Jam Bridge Fest (which became my favorite way to sell....as an artist telling my story) in September I have sold over 100 hearts!  That is so great for me and quite an accomplishment. However, I have had a hard time keeping stock to sell.  When my biggest fan, Lisa, came to my booth this week to see what hearts were left....it was a disappointment. For her a little, but for me a lot!

I also sold hearts to Cheryl who purchased 4 dot inlay hearts.  They make a great small gift or a small additional gift or even a package adornment.

I did make some hearts and one I always wanted to try was the dogpaw above. Dogs are very popular as I witnessed at all my outdoor shows this summer...they are everywhere (with their owners)(on leaches) and I thought the paw print would be great on a heart....love your dog!  But my hearts are a thoughtful, time-consuming creative process and can't really be rushed.  Linda bought the dog paw heart for a friend of hers who, I think, lost her dog.

Sometimes you just have to get into "the right frame of mind" and go with the flow.  Even though my heart selection was low, my beginning forte into selling years ago was evergreens during holidays and I had plenty of those. Diane and Jeannie both purchased boxwood tree arrangements.  Diane had bought one last year for a friend and this year bought 3 from me!  While I was decorating her 3, Jeannie asked about getting one and didn't work downtown and wouldn't be able to wait.  So I sold a completed one to her and made another one for Diane.  That's why I bring all my "fixin's" so that I am able to do that.    

Now I hope you'll indulge me and let me show some of my heart designs and please know that I will be working hard on them and more in 2018.

Pretty much any of the hearts above can be made as long as the woods are available (the inlays should always be) and just send me a message on my website or Etsy as to what you would like done.  Thanks for reading and like my facebook page if you would like to receive my blog automatically.