Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler Craft Fair

Celebrate the Season at the 22nd Annual Deerfield Christmas Sampler Craft Fair!

Holiday excitement begins at the Deerfield Christmas Sampler Craft Fair on November 27, 28, & 29, Thanksgiving weekend, at the Eastern States Exposition’s Better Living Center in West Springfield, MA. From the whimsical to the elegant, the Christmas Sampler features some of the finest handcrafted decorations and gifts in New England.

Finely detailed Santas, ornaments a plenty, spirited holiday music, cold weather wraps, an unrivaled selection of jewelry, and holiday treats are among the many offerings to help make holiday preparation and gift giving a joy. “More than twenty years ago, we began showcasing artisans in the smallest building at the Eastern States Expo and have grown into an award-winning regional event in the largest building,” relates Marcia Wojewoda the Sampler’s coordinator.

The Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler features nearly 220 exhibitors with a tremendous selection of crafts and fine arts. Ornaments from Sampler exhibitors have been selected to decorate the White House Christmas tree. Rosemary Flagg, an Early American Life magazine award winner, will introduce her latest addition to her collection of wheeled folk toys. Her latest addition to the collection is a cat named “The Liberty Santa Claws.”

“Returning is Diana Boyle whose gourd art features unique etched ornaments and crèches,” continued Wojewoda. “Jewelers Sheryl Blais and Stephanie Kexel add to the glitter of the season with their crocheted, and hammered jewelry, respectively.” New to the show this year is Alan Ladd, builder of marquetry boxes, wooden snowflake ornaments and finely crafted wooden accessories. Tom Seal will also be back with handcrafted rocking horses and wooden toys, “Wood is beautiful!,” says Seal, “No plastic or metal toy can come close to the natural sheen, warmth and satiny-smooth texture of a lovingly finished piece of wood. “

Demonstrations at the holiday show include food, fiber ornaments, and music. Betsey-Ann Golon presents a holiday decorating demonstration on both Saturday and Sunday. Michele Harter gives show visitors a chance to try their hand at stitching a mini traditional penny rug. Gifted composer and musician, Tim Janis, fresh from his performance at Carnegie Hall, will perform Saturday and Sunday selections from his world renowned music throughout the weekend. Jane Hansen will do a special demonstration on primitive painting of Santas and Holiday motifs.

“Now more than ever, a good value and fair pricing are important—but equally important is fine craftsmanship,” adds Wojewoda. Over the last twenty years, the Christmas Sampler has repeatedly been the highest-ranking New England show among Sunshine Artist’s (a Florida based trade association for craftspeople) Best List for craft fairs nationwide. “Once again, we were thrilled to be part of the 200 Best in 2009, the highest ranking of any New England Show,” remarks Wojewoda. The Deerfield Craft Fairs have also been previously singled out as one of the best craft fairs in the nation by Early American Life magazine.

The Christmas Sampler is one of the four fund-raising Deerfield Craft Fairs produced by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. As one of America’s oldest history museums, Memorial Hall Museum, and its many programs reach out to more than 11,000 students each school year and are supported in part by paid admissions to the craft fairs. According to Timothy C. Neumann, director of the organization that operates Memorial Hall Museum in Old Deerfield, “The money raised at our craft fairs fund everything from the museum’s school groups and children’s craft classes, to the regional Deerfield Teachers’ Center.”

Wide aisles, park benches, and festive music, make for a pleasant shopping experience. Two food concessions offer a variety of food selections. Ample onsite parking is also available, and show visitors can trade in their ESE Sampler parking receipts for a free 2010 Spring ticket. Drawings for $25 Shopping Certificates (good at any artisan’s booth at the Sampler) are held multiple times each day of the show.

*Free Miniature Christmas Village Display and Walk-through

*Wheelchairs available

*The fair is a great way to find unique gifts for the holidays. There is a wide range of items from country to contemporary and a wide range of prices from $4 to $500. All articles are original handmade and selected through a juried process.

*A fair with over 220 artisans and craftspeople with everything from seasonal and gift items to furniture.

*Visit the information booth inside the show and bring your parking receipt and get a free ticket to the Spring Deerfield Craft Fair in April 2010.

Give us your email address and be entered for a free drawing for $25 shopping certificates good at any artisan exhibiting in the Christmas Sampler.