Dear Kay,
What a DAY.
Scored all sorts of treasure at the bazaar here at the Assembly. It was a cavalcade of crafting, a melange of making. The concept of “shop local” was deep in my heart, given that the bazaar takes place maybe 100 yards from my cottage. Any more local, and it’d be in my kitchen. The real fun, of course, was talking to these folks.
Craft No. 1: Crochet
Our longtime knitting friend Sallie Swor has a new venture, Strands by Sallie. Strands. She had a righteous strand business cranking all day long—nobody left the bazaar without a string of something or other dangling from the neck.
I beelined for this strand, which you will recognize is crochet with little pearls hooked in every stitch. Sallie told me this strand was “too turquoise” for me. In the heart of White Capri Pants Nation’s convention of ladyhood, this hurt me. I can do turquoise, Sallie! I like turquoise! It goes with my white jeans which are practically white capri pants . . .
Side note: one of the great sensory moments here at the Assembly is bazaar day, when you are walking down the hill toward the mall, and you become aware of the magnificent scent of 200 ladies’ perfumes, colognes, bath powders, and fragrances combined into an invisible soft cloud that hits you like a hug from your grandma. From 50 yards away. Incredible.
Craft No. 2: Woodworking
This is Will Peebles.
He is studying woodworking at a pretty high level here in Tennessee. I managed to score one of his walnut cutting boards. They’re all unusual shapes, lovely finishes.
This one has a handle that means I could whack the tar out of anybody who takes my last piece of cheese.
I expect great things from Will. His mom, my next-door neighbor here, showed me the blanket chest that was his first project. Beautiful lines.
Will’s spoon game is strong, and if you follow him on Instagram at @peebles_wood, you’ll soon discover the wooden spoon world. The spoonists are every bit as obsessed about curly, curvy spoons as we are about our favorite craft.
Craft No. 3: Painting
This painting is 2″ x 2″. Brooke Ballenger teaches Russian in Memphis, after living in St. Petersburg for 17 years. She imports things from Russia and Estonia, including tiny paintings like this. We talked mittens and scarves and the way Estonian handcraft exports aren’t subject to customs tariffs, to aid in expanding Estonia’s economy. I look at these tiny goats and wonder who painted them.
Brooke just won a fiction contest run by Memphis magazine. Her story, “Grandfather’s Coat,” is set during the siege of Leningrad. There is no more haunting piece of history than that miserable siege.
Craft No. 4: Agriculture
Tomatoes of a very high level, bought from the supernice lady who also brought the most gorgeous, deep-woods, ancient-looking ferns I ever saw. Sorry not to get a photo.
Craft No. 5: Knitting
Look who came up for the day.
Haus of Yarn spokesmodel Kelley and her mom Ann. We cooled our heels on the porch, knitted a few rows, and had a great time not solving a single one of the world’s problems.
Stay cool, knittas. It’s getting hot out there.
Love,
Ann
Will Peebles on instragram! The clawfoot desk legs! The heartpine spoons! The cherry spoons that look like scoops! The spoons with long long handles! What beauties, and the clawfoot desk legs …
And he has an Etsy!
This is my kind of shopping experience!
I am especially fond of wood, and your man Will certainly makes beautiful and useful items. (Excellent foresight on the handled cutting board, by the way!) Nice portrait of Will, also. He should ask you to do his brochure when he’s ready.
One of my favorite gifts for Big Deal Events is a handmade cutting board from a fellow in WV who salvages old chestnut(!) and oak lumber from barns. We’ve never met, but he has even made a custom piece for me that fits precisely over a cabinet to make it into a kitchen work surface. It looks like it was born in my kitchen, and fits over the cabinet like a glove. Very satisfying working with highly-skilled craftspeople!
p.s. Can the Concrete Teepee Knitter’s College arrange a field trip to your amazing bazaar next year?
Great! What’s the name of the etsy shop? I looked but couldn’t find him there.
What a great day! Yours is now my favorite porch. I too bought a Strand from Sallie, and a spoon from Will. Next time, I need to score a piece or two of that beautiful pottery. Thank you again for a lovely afternoon.
Looks like a great bazaar up there on the mountain, Ann. But, let’s talk about how totally adorable you look in that picture — sweet, happy, love-filled eyes. Just noticing.
Never have I cursed WordPress more – I NEED to see that tiny painting up closer and it will not let me zoom in on my phone! (hey WordPress, we’re not all hipsters with phony fashion glasses. Up your mobile compatibility game.)
Also, if you decide she’s ultimately right, I happen to he able to do turquoise. Exceptionally well, in fact. #justsayin
Also, trying wicked hahd not to be envious. Boston’s housing costs are so high most fine artisans (especially up-and-coming ones) are priced right out of the area. And no clouds of old-lady-scent melange to be found. Ride the T or sit in the bleachahs at Fenway and you get a waft of a completely different ilk.
I love a handmade wooden kitchen utensil. Especially left-handed ones. Will’s work is gorgeous. Your mountain cabin sounds wonderful.
That wood working is gorgeous! Does he sell on-line anywhere? I checked Etsy under his name – nada. Would love some of the spoons and scoops and cutting boards and………..
Hi Kathryn! I bet if you email Will at peebleswood[USE THE AT SIGN]gmail.com, he’d love to be in touch with you.
I love those crafty markets. And the description of the aroma cloud. I have been going through my grandmothers boxes of beads and notions and had you been here you would have seen me bow my head into the box and inhale her scent.
I am so excited!!!! I had lost touch with Sallie until now!!! She and I go back more years than I care to count!!!! Soap making, Ellington Ag Center & more !!!! This does it–Im retiring too much fun goes on during the week !!!
Is this the Jamie that used to rughook with Mary Irma?
Yes! I live near Columbia still…. I’m meeting up with Sallie on August 13 at her trunk show at HAUS. I’m also taking a (can’t really talk about it) crochet class wih Julie the same day. Come on over and we can re-meet!!!!
Hate to miss the cottage tour and bazaar this year–second year in a row now. Maybe next year when we move back to Georgia or Tennessee. I think of it every time I look at my bazaar treasures. Don’t miss the hot day though lol.
Sounds like a TRULY great day what with all the wonders and good company.
Ah, the dusting powder scent when hugged into grandma’s generous bosom! Enjoy every moment of your summer cottage experience, thanks for sharing.
I love the necklace and I bet you’ll look great in the turquoise . Not just saying that because you also got a lethal cutting board.
By the way, searching “Peebles” on etsy brings up quite a weird assortment of items. Many of which are probably the result of someone mistyping “pebbles.” #timesink
Your comment on that last piece of cheese made me laugh, when I needed one. Thanks! I would love a craft fair to come my way. I want one of everything you showed.
I think with a name like Will Peebles, one is destined to be a craftsman.