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.

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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. 

 

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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. 

 

 

 

 

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Knitted, Crocheted, Stitched and Hardanger Needlework

Residents have been hard at work since last February, preparing children’s clothing, toys, hats, mittens, scarves, and afghans for you on September 30. Also look in the Artisans section for the feature on Allan Dempsey and his Hardanger needlework. He will have his own shop at the Bazaar.   

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A huggable variety of toys are being made for the September 30 Bazaar

 

Colorful stuffed toys — There are stuffed toys in several sizes at the Bazaar. 

   Penguin Stacking Learning Toy

 

 

 

There will be Turtle Matching Toys at the Bazaar. Each mother turtle has 22 babies tucked inside. Children can match the colors found on the babies’ tummies. There are 11 pairs included in each set. 

Turtle Matching Toy 

Gifts

There is a lovely assortment of baby afghans in various sizes that would make treasured gifts.

,Christmas, 

Hardanger needlework – Resident Allan Dempsey learned Norwegian Hardanger needlework 41 years ago. Several of his pieces — such as various small hearts — will be for sale at the Bazaar on September 30. Each of the hearts start as a solid piece of fabric. Read more about Allan and Hardanger in the Artisans section of this website. 

Clothing

These are samples of the knitted winter hats and scarves that residents are making for the Bazaar. The first is a sparkling red infinity scarf. Below are samples of knitted booties and sweaters. Both come in various sizes. 

Two of the styles of winter hats for adults and children

Around the Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embroidered dresser, buffet or side table scarf by Judy Larson is 16″ X 40″

There are a variety of shopping bags to choose from.

Find small children’s bags that are just right for carrying treasures.

 

Holmstad residents have not forgotten your pets! They’ve made reversible cat mats (16” X 20”) that are washable. There are Snuffle Mats to keep your dog busy finding treats you’ve hidden among the strips of fleece. Find several other creative pet toys. 

On September 30, find two sizes of mobile phone holders. These provide a convenient hands-free prop.

10″ Square Wine Cork Trivet

 

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.”

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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.

Visit the Holmstad Gift Shop While You’re at the Bazaar

The Holmstad Gift Shop is operated by resident volunteers. It will be open during the September 30 Bazaar. Stop in to purchase commercially produced and handmade cards created by residents. Also available are seasonal items, children’s toys and activities for quiet time. In addition to the regular merchandise, the Gift Shop will have a table of clearance bargains. Come and find that special gift!

Autumn gifts and decor are in stock. 

 

Several residents make cards that are popular in the Gift Shop. Commercial cards are also available at reasonable prices. 

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Secondhand Treasures at Great Prices

The “This and That” Shop is a flea market chock full of vintage items, glassware, small kitchen appliances and wares, office supplies, toys, sports equipment, home décor. Look for baskets and seasonal and Christmas décor.  Here are samples of the items that have been donated for the 2023 Bazaar.  

 

 

16″ Viking Nutcracker

24″ Angel for Protected Outdoor or Indoor Use

Tables sold separately.

Large variety of Practical Household Items

 

Dressing Table Set

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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.

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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.