877-226-7310 - Option 1

Category: Artisans

The Artisans of the Bazaar

Ron Diller’s Wooden Puzzles

Ron Diller Brings Joy to Kids & Parents with His Wooden Puzzles

Ron Diller is an accomplished woodworker and the son of a Covenant Living at the Holmstad resident. He has graciously donated several wooden puzzles for the October 1 Bazaar.

Ron reports, “I’ve been producing these puzzles for six years and through the years have used existing patterns and developed some of my own patterns and designs.  Some puzzles are painted, and others left natural wood.  

“Seasonal puzzles (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc.) are my favorite ones to make and I try to come up with different designs every year. They’ve brought a lot of joy to kids and parents, and I enjoy coming up with new designs as I continue to produce them.”

toy, Christmas, gift, child, wood

Ron’s Wooden Puzzles

Pieces range from 1” to 1/8” thick, 2” to 15” tall, by 2” to 20” long.  Most of them will stand up for ease of display.  Some are framed for travel or can be placed on a coffee table to entertain guests.

Large Wooden Holiday Trees by Dick Greenwood & Dave Anderson

Large Wooden Holiday Trees 

This is Dick Greenwood working on one of the wooden holiday trees that will be available at the October 1 Bazaar. Dick and Dave Anderson made these. 

Dick Greenwood began furniture restoration at least 20 years ago. His expertise has been put to good use at The Holmstad. He refinished our community’s grandfather clock that had been water-damaged and is on-call to help with other restoration projects. 

See more information about Dave Anderson and other projects he has created for the Bazaar: Bandsaw Boxes, Bird Houses, and Charcuterie Trays.

Christmas, decor, holiday, tree, wood

The trees are 32″ & 18″

Dick saw the concept at a landscaper’s display in Minneapolis. He and Dave made their own patterns. The trees are stained oak or pine and can be disassembled to store.

 

Jack Franklin Designs New Christmas Ornament for the 2022 Bazaar

Jack Franklin’s Christmas Ornaments

Woodworking has been a hobby of Jack’s since he was a teen. Since moving to Covenant Living at the Holmstad eight years ago, he has taken up wood turning. You may have purchased his cherry and walnut bowls and serving pieces at the Bazaar but in the last three years he has concentrated on turning sea urchins into ornaments with hand-turned wooden finials. On October 1, you can still purchase those elegant ornaments, but he also is offering a new ornament this year.  

Jack’s Sea Urchin Ornaments will still be available at the October 1 Bazaar

Christmas, gift, ornament, sea, urchin, wood

The New 2022 Christmas Ornament

Jack hand shapes the hollow wooden spheres and finials and inserts a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a six-hour timer and the battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment. 

In the dark

In the light

You’ll find Jack’s ornaments in the Wood Shop at the Bazaar.

Wilbur Zirk’s Wooden Children’s Toys

Wilbur At Work

Wilbur Zirk started making children’s toys when the nieces and nephews began to arrive. However, he’s been a woodworker since he was a teenager. Wilbur and his wife, Esther, arrived at The Holmstad in 2020. He soon became involved in the wood shop where he enjoys making wooden toys and games. His next project is a wooden pyramid puzzle – look for those at the Bazaar, too!

child, Christmas, gift, handmade, toddler, toy, wood

Wilbur’s Alligator and Dinosaur Wooden Pull Toys

The 16″ alligator is Wilbur’s own pattern.   

 

The 21″ dinosaur is a modified version of a larger pattern. Both toys are favorites of Wilbur’s grandchildren.

 

Handcrafted Walking Sticks by Richard (Mac) MacFeely

Leave a comment

For The Love of Walking 

Walking sticks — or the longer version hiking sticks – have been around as long as people have walked. They are often made from branches and roots or any wood of the forest. Popular woods are walnut, maple, oak and hickory. The tops can be cast metal or carved wood. The stick has to be custom fit to the walker and stays with him or her for life. Mac shares, “Turning, carving and assembling the sticks has kept me challenged. I love helping others find their stride.”

Christmas, gift, gifts, handcrafted, handmade, hiking, walking, wood

Purchase walking sticks at the October 1 Bazaar

Mac’s handcrafted walking sticks make great Christmas gifts and will be available at The Holmstad Bazaar on October 1 from 9 am-3 pm. Stop by Mac’s table in the Bazaar’s Woodworking Shop to find out more about his hand-crafted sticks.

Detail

 

Christmas Tree Door Hangers By Mary Jane McFee

Leave a comment

Mary Jane McFee 

Mary Jane has lived at Covenant Living at the Holmstad for three years. She loves to be creative and support the causes that the Bazaar revenue funds.  This year, Mary Jane is making Christmas tree door hangers and fabric coasters to sell. She is volunteering in the Jewelry Shop during the Bazaar. Drop by to visit with her!

Christmas, decor, decorations, hand-crafted, holiday, handmade

Another of Mary Jane’s Christmas trees 

 

Joe Whatley’s Handcrafted Wood Boxes

Leave a comment

Joe Whatley at Work

Joe Whatley has enjoyed woodworking for many years. Moving to Covenant Living at the Holmstad in 2019 added camaraderie to the fun of this hobby. Among the wooden items that Joe has built to sell at the October 1 Holmstad Bazaar are boxes that would make great gifts. It gives Joe a great deal of satisfaction when a box comes together well.

box, gift, handcrafted, wood, Christmas

Four boxes that will be sold at the Bazaar

He looks for an interesting grain or knot in the wood to incorporate in the box design. The corner joints are always “finger” or “dove tail” to create interest.

Inside one of Joe’s boxes

 

Fall Pumpkins Made by Lois Nyberg & Other Residents

Leave a comment

Lois Nyberg

Lois has lived at Covenant Living at the Holmstad for a year. Her friend invited her to come to the Holmstad Creative Arts Center. She did various jobs, including creating the pumpkins for the Oct. 1 Holmstad Bazaar. Lois says, “I enjoy the fellowship and the people I meet. I was amazed and happy to see all of the crafts that were being created for the Bazaar. They are clever, beautifully made, and make great gifts.” 

Autumn, fall, decor, gift, Halloween, pumpkin

Fall Pumpkins made by Lois & other residents

Lois and other volunteers created several sizes of these pumpkins to share with you at the Bazaar. The pumpkins shown are about 8″ tall and are covered in various yarns. The stems are made from natural tree limbs.  

Fall & Holiday Wreaths By Ellen Askren

Leave a comment

Ellen Askren 

Ellen has been making wreaths for 18 years. Most of her work is for sale in a local Geneva IL gift shop. When Ellen moved into Covenant Living at the Holmstad, she realized her skills could benefit the Holmstad Bazaar. She is making seasonal wreaths that will be for sale at the Bazaar on Saturday, October 1 from 9 am – 3 pm.

tumn, fall, Christmas, decor, gift, Holiday, wreath

One of Ellen’s Fall Wreaths

 

Ellen’s Colorful Holiday Wreaths