877-226-7310 - Option 1

Category: Artisans

The Artisans of the Bazaar

Judy Larson, Skilled Needleworker

Judy Larson 

Judy was a nurse at Covenant Living at the Holmstad for 25 years. After retiring, she and her husband, Don, decided to make Holmstad their home.

Needlework has been a hobby of Judy’s for many years. Residents and Bazaar customers look forward to seeing what Judy has made for the Bazaar each year. 

You can meet Judy in the Creative Arts Shop during the September 30 Holmstad Bazaar. She’d be happy to share ideas about needlework with you. 

Her 2023 Christmas Tree Skirt

This year, Judy created a 60″-wide felt Christmas tree skirt. The skirt has been left uncut in case the buyer wants to use it on a table. Depending on the wishes of the buyer, Judy will cut a slit into it to use under a tree. 

 

Judy is also offering this hand-embroidered dresser or side table scarf on September 30. It measures 16″ by 40.” 

 

 

Christmas, Judy, Larson, needlework

Fall & Holiday Wreaths By Ellen Askren

Ellen Askren 

Ellen has been making wreaths for 19 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 has made two seasonal wreaths that will be for sale at the Bazaar on Saturday, September 30, from 9 am – 3 pm.

autumn, fall, Christmas, decor, gift, Holiday, wreath

Ellen’s Fall Wreath Will be Offered on September 30

Ellen’s Colorful Holiday Wreath

 

Jack Franklin Designs New Christmas Ornament for the 2023 Bazaar

Jack Franklin’s Christmas Ornaments Make Thoughtful Gifts

Woodworking has been a hobby of Jack’s since he was a teen. Since moving to Covenant Living at the Holmstad nine 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. A few small green sea urchin ornaments are remaining for sale on September 30. But Jack is pleased to introduce a new ornament this year. 

Christmas, gift, ornament, sea, urchin, wood

The New 2023 Christmas Ornament

Jack hollows each wooden sphere before adding a hand-turned finial and inserting a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a timer with six hours on and 18 hours off. The battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment. 

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

Just Finished — 45.5 ” tall Candle Stand

Jack had a long piece of solid cherry. He did not want to spoil the beauty of the graining by dividing it into smaller projects, so he created this 45.5” tall solid cherry candle stand. The cup at the top holds either artificial flowers (shown) or a battery-operated candle of up to 3” in diameter.  There is only one for sale in the Wood Shop. 

Ron Diller’s Wooden Puzzles & Toys

 & Toys

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 again graciously donated several wooden puzzles for the September 30 Bazaar.

Ron reports, “I’ve been producing these puzzles for seven 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 & Toys

The pieces of Ron’s puzzles 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.

Wilma Van Arragon Knits Luxury Apparel

Wilma Van Arragon

Wilma Van Arragon has been living at The Holmstad for 11 years but began to participate in the Bazaar a year before moving here.

“I am honored to share my shawls, sweaters and other knitted and crocheted items with my friends, neighbors, and community members,” said Wilma. “It’s been a joy to meet others who also love fine yarns and textiles, along with a passion for knitting and crocheting. And, knowing that this contributes to MY community is the icing on the cake.”

Wilma’s 2023 Wrap to be Raffled on September 30. 

 

 Wilma has used exquisite yarns to knit a wrap designed by Stephen West. He is best known for his knitting patterns and strong use of colour and geometric designs. The wrap being raffled is his “The Pierre” pattern. Wilma has knitted it with a silk-merino wool blend. The flow and draping of the material are perfect for this shawl pattern. The winner will also receive a tote bag and a bottle of soap to care for the shawl.

knit, raffle

Enter to win this lovely wrap on September 30 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. The winners will be drawn at 2:30. 

This is the wrap laid out. Wilma will be selling raffle tickets at the raffle booth on September 30. She would love to talk with you about knitting and her wraps! 

 

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.

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

Wilbur’s Pink Bunny was created after a request at last year’s Bazaar for a pink pull toy. This year, he thought he was done after creating several of these but then got a request for BLUE bunnies! You’ll find both at the September 30 Bazaar.

 

 

 

 

 

Handcrafted Walking Sticks by Richard (Mac) MacFeely

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. Mac will custom fit each stick to the buyer. 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 September 30 Bazaar

Mac’s handcrafted walking sticks make great Christmas gifts and will be available at The Holmstad Bazaar on September 30 from 9 am-3 pm. Stop by Mac’s table in the Bazaar’s Wood Shop to find out more about his handcrafted sticks.

This is more detail of one of the sticks above. Mac made this out of a pool cue and topped it with an eight-ball. 

Dave Anderson’s Bandsaw Boxes

Dave Anderson

Dave and his wife, Merrie, moved to The Holmstad in 2014. As a long-time woodworker, he made the community’s wood shop his home away from home. For several years, Dave has led the group in projects for the Bazaar and to make or repair anything that The Holmstad needed from the woodworkers. One of Dave Anderson’s popular woodworking projects for sale at the September 30 Holmstad Bazaar are his Bandsaw Boxes. 

Also see Dave’s birdhouses at the Bazaar Wood Shop! 

ristmas, gift, wood, handmade

Samples of designs for sale at the September 30 Bazaar

Each small box is made of several hardwoods with one or more drawers ideal to hold tiny treasures.

 

Joe Whatley’s Handcrafted Wood Boxes

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 September 30 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

 

Norwegian Hardanger Needlework by Allan Dempsey

Allan Dempsey

     Forty-one years ago, Allan was looking for another needlework challenge. He had enjoyed counted cross stitch as a relaxing hobby but was ready to try something new. While traveling in Minnesota, he visited a needlework shop, and his hobby took a very new turn: Hardanger.
     The owner introduced him to this Norwegian needlework art, and he was hooked. Allan will be selling several pieces of his work at The Holmstad Bazaar on Saturday, September 30 from 9 am-3 pm. Come visit Allan’s display. He would enjoy talking with you about the Hardanger process.

Allan has lived at Covenant Living at the Holmstad since July 2020. 

Christmas, gift, handmade, Hardanger, holiday, needlework, ornament

A variety of small hearts and other pieces will be for sale at the Bazaar.

Hardanger techniques

Hardanger starts with a plain even-weave fabric like linen, cotton, or synthetic. Then Allan creates an intricate lace-like pattern using counted threads and drawn thread work techniques.