Handmade in Todd
Watauga community showcases artisans this weekend

By Scott Nicholson

People in the Todd community are keeping the holiday shopping close to home this year.

The first-ever Handmade in Todd Holiday Market will be held at the Todd Mercantile on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. The market will feature locally-made goods and products, along with craft demonstrations and exhibits.

Artisan demonstrations will take place in the Mercantile Gallery from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. Martha Enzmann will needle felt wool dolls and puppets from locally grown Rambouillet wool furnished by Joanne Leach’s sheep. Rebecca Parker will demonstrate the fine art of quillwork and Sue Lampe will demonstrate crocheting.

Other Todd artisans include: Lyn Soeder (jams, jellies, mustards, vinegars, soaps, jewelry), James Parker (flint napping), Kirsten Tiedemann (jewelry), Christa Kelley (jams, children’s clothing), Tom Wooten (forged steel), Tom Sternal (wood furniture and household items), Angie Covington (ceramics, needle felting), Anna Keeber (needle felted balls), David Seatz (turned wood bowls), Ree Strawser (cards), Sue Lampe (crocheted madness), Charlie Risk (furniture), LaMae Strange (paintings), Robin McQuirt (pottery), Hope Cline (painted stemware) and more.

Betty Hurst from Handmade in America will attend on Sunday to meet with the artists and discuss a new HandMade rural entrepreneurship program for women.

All Handmade in Todd items will be on a 20 percent sale during the market, with taste testing of locally produced jelly, jam, honey, molasses, mustard and vinegars. The Todd Mahal Bakery will have special treats available for tasting and will accept special orders for the holidays.

Hours for the market will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call Emilie Enzmann at the Todd Mercantile at (336) 877-5401.