APPALACHIA OHIO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING “Over the river and thru the woods” to the foothills of Appalachia and to a fun family Christmas shopping event. Under one roof, you’ll find 40 talented Southern Ohio artisans and craftsman showcasing their unique skills. This is a great opportunity to get gifts for those hard-to-get-for folks on your shopping list. Stroll the little shops that each artisan takes pride in fashioning from November 14-16, 2014 just off the Appalachian Highway in Winchester, Ohio west of Cincinnati. Leisurely shop in a friendly family atmosphere for those one-of-a-kind items until hunger pangs hit. Then, enjoy delicious Appalachian country homemade hot soups, chicken salad croissants, soft pretzels and chili or an old fashioned PBJ. A selection of cold and hot drinks including hot cider will be available. With tummy satisfied it may be time to start working on that list again. On Sunday, from 1-2pm, shoppers are treated to the festive music of charismatic singer songwriter Steve Free. About that unique shopping. Here are some of the best southern Ohio has to offer. Fragrance abounds at the family owned “Mill Branch Soap” shop. Brenda Harvey has been specializing in a fine line of natural olive oil soaps, lip balms and natural body products for several years now. Mill Branch Soap is a highly featured artisan at the “Country Living” Fairs in New York, Columbus and Georgia. This Mason, Ohio-based family-business began working on an avocado bar formula when their son was diagnosed with eczema. This bar is excellent for babies and children’s skin. The words “all-natural” and “hand-crafted” are not taken lightly in Appalachia. Artisans strive to produce that all natural product and proudly write those words on their tagged products. Bee Charmer Honey specializes as well in all-natural soaps, lotion bars, 100% beeswax candles and raw honey infused from flowers and peppers. This small business from Batavia, Ohio strongly believes that the best things in life come from the honeybee. Bee Charmer Honey was named after “Uncle Joe” Hawkins, a calm and good natured bee keeper who loved tending to his bees. Uncle Joe was nicknamed the BEE CHARMER. Ask Catherine Butcher of BCH for some stories and pictures of Uncle Joe covered with his beloved bees. Adams Countians, Bootsie and Glen Robison, of Locust Hill Farm, were featured on the popular PBS show “Our Ohio” a few years ago. They were interviewed on their farm amongst Bootsie’s flock of sheep that is her source of wool yarn. Bootsie has been spinning for 25 years and her expertise shows through in her scarves, shawls, hats and mittens. Her latest designs are yoga socks and felted embellished pin cushions. Her little shop radiates warmth and creativity. “Recycle” and” Reuse” are two more important words in Southern Ohio. June Pickens of “Come Next Spring” recycles and reuses old wine and beer bottles and turns them into stunning vessels for soap dispensers, olive oil bottles and her very popular hummingbird feeders. Nicknamed Juniebee, she has even been known to dumpster dive for these beautiful bottles. Her business name came about from telling her husband Bob in the cold winter months that “come next spring” she would get down to business. Shopping for a name or two will surely come off your list at Juniebee’s shop. Your first words when you enter th building will be “What’s that smell?” It will be the scrumptious scents from the mother/daughter team, Valerie and Lynsie’s. Their smell-good shop is appropriately named, “Scentsy”. Valerie loved selling Scentsy so much that her daughter, Lynsie, followed in her footsteps. They are the go-to Scentsy ladies in this neck of the woods. They travel far and wide together making the world a better place to smell. The decorative warmers are great for anyone on your shopping list. Here’s a tip: buy one, wrap it up, put it under the tree and tag it: From Me - To Me. Everyone loves the 77 years young, Betty Fischer of Betty’s Sew Creative. At the age of 10, Betty learned to sew on a Singer Treadle and fell instantly in love with the art. Betty took sewing classes in school and then graduated college with a minor in Art. While teaching, Betty was the “go-to” person for ideas. Friends would often remark, “Betty you are so creative.” Betty’s love of the art is seen through her quilts, table runners, children’s toys, games and much more. Vivacious and enthusiastic Betty has a lot of history to share with you so be prepared for an engaging conversation. Maggie Vance of Maggie’s Magic decided upon retiring that she would write, but a friend convinced her to try painting. Maggie discovered her new passion with the first stroke of the paint brush. That passion shows through with her oil paintings and other works of art displayed in her shop. And then there’s the show’s hot spot – Buckeye Confections. Family-run by Alicia and Jeremiah (and a few little ones, too), they make buckeyes in dark and white chocolate as well as chocolate covered pretzels and a wide variety of cookies. Other favorites feature fudges and cupcakes. Jeremiah’s special hard candies are irresistible to snack on while shopping or even better to take home for later (if they don’t get eaten on the trip back). That’s just a quick sampling. Many more artisans with fantastic back stories and products are all under one roof for a brief time to help you knock out that Christmas list. These include stained glass, Christmas décor, handmade writing pens, precision hand cut sterling jewelry, primitives, antiques, handmade old fashioned wooden toys for children, “sew cute” doll clothes, Lia Sophia, Avon, Alpaca products, pottery, recycled felted woolen garments, wind chimes, goats milk soaps, lotions and so much more. Visit November 14-16, 2014: Friday & Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4. This special shopping event will be located at 9764 Tri-county Rd in Winchester, Ohio. Call 937-695-5545 or visit appalachianmountainchristmas.homestead for further information
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 17:02:31 +0000