Folk festival arts market offers items for all tastes

When I first heard about the National Folk Festival coming to Bangor, I had two thoughts: 1. There goes my vacation; and 2. Here comes an opportunity for shopping. After hearing about the Folk Arts Marketplace, I figured this would be the perfect place to pick up some early Christmas gifts. My suspicions were confirmed when I got a sneak preview of the goods. Though I haven’t seen everything, I picked out a few of my favorites.

As a knitter (and a bit of a girly-girl), I am partial to the pretty yarns, scarves, mittens and handbags offered by the fiber artists in the group. I’m wild about the felted handbags and mittens designed by Lynn Winters of Ash Grove Spinning & Knitting in Sebec, some of which come from traditional Maine patterns, as well as the delicate knit gloves, hats and scarves by M. Joan Davis of Northport. Vermeer’s Lace and Fiber Studio of Stetson creates sweaters and vests out of handspun, hand-dyed wool in beautiful heathered shades.

Speaking of beautiful shades, Jill McCollum’s hooked rugs put a rainbow at your feet, while Mary Ann Small’s rag rugs subtly capture colors and scenes of the Maine coast. The quilts by the Spring Street Co. are a less subtle mix of old-fashioned patterns and bright contemporary fabrics, including wild fruit patterns and Japanese-inspired imagery.

Terrence Williamson of Appalachian Resources in Hampden wraps gemstones and beads in gold and silver wire, creating delicate jewelry by hand. Frances Frey’s beadwork is equally delicate. Inspired by her Passamaquoddy heritage, the Pembroke woman’s jewelry and embellishments combine glass beads and porcupine quills in intricate designs, some of which end up on her traditional baskets. Annette Daigle’s ash-splint baskets are inspired by her Acadian heritage, and her cheese baskets, creels and potato baskets are simple and elegant. And while I have enough baskets at the moment, Dorothy Lawrence’s colorful designs could persuade me to buy just one more.

Among the more unusual (and infinitely useful) items are the all-wool comforter created by Maine Merino of Surry – warm in the winter, cool in the summer – and the felted wool coasters by Done Roving Farm of Pembroke.

Natalia Bragg of Knott-II-Bragg Farm in Wade is known throughout Aroostook County for her traditional herbal soaps, salves and creams, including the soothing Ladies Night Cream with jojoba, lavender and rose oils. Mary Mondello of Corinth will offer her Maine Coast Herbals line of alternative medicines and skincare products created from plants indigenous to Maine.

Though I’m not in the market for any woodcarvings at the moment, I couldn’t help but smile at Laurie Stearns’ rough-hewn, painted rooster statue.

Todd Lufkin’s wooden tractor-trailers would be the perfect retirement gift for a truck driver, while Jeff Peterson’s Swedish-inspired wooden kitchen implements blend form and function. I especially like the pickle fork and the tear-shaped coffee scoops – much better than the plastic ones. And Dallas Seger’s gorgeous wooden bass guitars are enough to make me wish I could play.

Whether you’re looking for yourself or that special someone, you’re sure to find something that strikes your fancy at the folk festival. I did. Now I just need to find a way to haul it all home on my bike. Maybe I do need a basket after all.