(Chelsea Update would like to thank Marsi Darwin for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Depot Artisans Market opens at the historic train depot on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for the sixth year in a row as part of the Wine, Women and Shopping in downtown Chelsea.
In its 11th year, the Saturday event features wine tastings, food, music, and shopping at many of the stores in town.
At the Depot Artisans Market, you’ll find 15 fresh, fun, sometimes quirky artisans with handcrafted goods for unforgettable gifts. Organizers Michele Friss and Marsi Parker Darwin, both local artists, pride themselves on choosing quality work for their show. Many favorites will offer their work, as well as a few new faces.
Jewelry buffs will be pleased that Nancy Melet of Ann Arbor is returning to the show this year, as well as Chelsea’s Chandra June. Nina McDermott will be showing and selling her charming framed collages for the first time.
Ann Mulhern is an Ann Arbor potter also new to the show. Her work features beautifully glazed functional pieces, including mugs, platters, and vases. Another new potter is David Kaemmings whose work is focused mainly on decorative pieces for the home. His wife, Shirley, a painter, will also be doing the show for the first time. Their work may be seen at La Maison in downtown Chelsea as well.
Also new to the Depot Show is Jody Mankerian. She crafts mostly seasonal primitive figures, signs and decorations, bringing years of experience doing shows and selling her wares at her downtown Marshall shop, The Plaid Herb.
Friss’s work includes colorful, exuberant fabric buntings for every occasion, as well as knitted snake scarves, wine bottle caps and felted fairy boots. Wait until you see her new “magpie” buntings. Darwin is known for her beautiful and affordable stained and etched glass panels, ornaments, and gift tags. New this year are Michigan Map pendants.
The variety of mediums at the depot show also includes primitive woodcarving, zipper art, photography, soaps and personal care items, cards, wallets, and stuffed animals.
Admission is free, refreshments and door prizes are an added attraction to the show. In addition, in the spirit of the season, shoppers are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items to the local food bank. The train depot will be one of the collection stations.
Contributors may also sign up to win one of several prizes, including the Grand Prize of an overnight stay at Chelsea’s Comfort Inn, two tickets to the Purple Rose Theatre, and a $50 gift certificate for one of the participating restaurants. All items collected will go to Faith in Action of Chelsea.
For more information please visit Chelsea Depot Artisans Market on Facebook.
