Holmstad’s Creative Arts Center is the “Happy Place” for Many Residents

Darlene Miller, Co-chair of the Bazaar’s Creative Arts Shop, is making a fabric book for toddlers.

From February through August, more than 50 residents create over 300 different items to sell in the Creative Arts Shop. Linda Anderson and Darlene Miller lead this team of residents who are generous with their time and talents to create items that bring joy to others. Linda Anderson shares, “For many residents, the Creative Arts Center is their ‘Happy Place’.”

You’ll find seasonal décor for fall and Christmas, several afghans, children’s toys, toddler fabric books, baby and children’s wear, a variety of adult knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, and gloves.

afghan, child, Christmas, crochet, decor, knit, gift, toddler, toy

Shop for Beautiful Gifts Made by Our Resident Woodworkers!

Our Holmstad Wood Shop has well-crafted wooden toys, holiday décor, and various home and garden items. Click on the Artisans section to learn more about the featured woodworkers and needlecrafters who are selling what they’ve made this year for the Bazaar on September 30. 

 

wood, Christmas, toy, gift, holiday, entertain, child.

Wooden Puzzles and Planes, Trucks, Automobiles, & Animals!

Shop for new toys and puzzles in the Wood Shop and in the Creative Arts Shop. The Book & Puzzle Shop and the Flea Market have pre-owned toys and puzzles.  

Wooden Puzzles

These wooden puzzles are created by Ron Diller, son of a resident. 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.  Learn more about Ron and his woodworking skills in the Artisans section.   

Wooden Toys

These sturdy vehicles were also crafted by Ron Diller. 

 

This is one of resident Wilbur Zirk’s sturdy pull-toys for preschoolers. He’s making the bunnies in pink and blue. Learn more about Wilbur in the Artisans section. 

 

 

 

 

preschool, toddler, gift, Christmas, child, wood, toy.

 

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.

Books & Puzzles for All Ages

26 Categories of Books in the Shop

One large room is filled with books and puzzles for all ages. The books are sorted into 26 categories so you can easily find your favorite mysteries, best sellers, cookbooks, children’s books, and coffee table books. Here is a sample of more than 2,000 items that will be available in the Books & Puzzles Shop at the Bazaar on Sept. 30, 9 am – 3:00 pm.

Best Sellers

Cookbooks 

So far, there is only one copy of the Batavia Home Town Cookbook with recipes from 1833 -1983. If you are looking for it, get there at 9:00 am. 

 

Coffee Table Books

Puzzles

There are a lot of used puzzles of various sizes to browse. Note: Because they are donated, we cannot guarantee that each puzzle is complete. But they are definitely priced to sell.  

Resident Volunteers in the Book Shop

These residents have been working since May, sorting and prepping the high volume of books that have been donated this year.  

adult, book, child, gift, puzzle

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.