Tradition! Marketplace at the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront will have more than enough to keep shoppers busy

The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront is all about tradition. And while I’m not sure anyone would call me folksy, I’ve started a few traditions of my own at the festival. Not surprisingly, many of them revolve around shopping.

No visit to the vendor area is complete without a stop to Done Roving Farm & Carding Mill, which has luscious yarns in a rainbow of hues. Ditto for Vermeer’s Lace Studio, which will offer lovely hats and hand-knitted woolens this year.

For the past four years, Mark Wren of Wrenovations Stained Glass has lit up the marketplace with his vibrant designs, and this year won’t be any different – check out his booth – you can’t miss it. Another great offering are the hand-woven baskets from The Basket Tree.

This year, I plan to start a new tradition by picking up something whimsical from Portland jeweler Lisa Bess – I’ve followed her work for years and can’t wait to see (and buy!) what she’s doing now. Another newcomer is craftswoman Nancy Marshall, whose Finesse designs are strikingly unique.

Jewelry always has a strong showing at the festival, and I’ve been known to linger over Terry Williamson’s wire and gemstone creations. Rosemarie DiLernia’s hand-knotted linen jewelry is captivating in its intricacy (and not even a little bit reminiscent of macrame plant holders).

Whenever there are American Indian crafters at the festival, it’s a treat, and Native Arts Gallery always lures me in with its gorgeous collection of bold jewelry in silver and stones. Lewey’s Eco Blends will keep the bugs at bay naturally – and fragrantly. And Mic Mac Indian Crafts will display wearables crafted from turtle shells, seashells, antler and bone, as well as authentic dream catchers and horn rattles.

To start things off on the right foot, I may begin my journey at Quoddy Trail Moccasins, which will be on hand with old-fashioned mocs and leather bags and totes. And speaking of leather, have you seen the hand-tooled belts by Bob and Anne Dickens? They’ll keep your pants up in style.

Of course, every year I’m stopped in my tracks by something unique, such as the pendants Ed Croy fashions from deer and moose antlers. Croy also makes a cribbage board out of moose antlers that’s something to behold. Also worth a second look are the fleece baby buntings from Sew ‘n Wild Oats – they’re sew cute.

Whoever said a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – or Christmas tree, as the case may be – hasn’t seen the ornaments from Maine Bird Carvings, which are smaller versions of Gary Poisson’s full-size sculptures and decoys. Adorable.

All of the woodcrafters at the festival do work of the highest quality, from the decorative designs of Island Instarsia and Norumbega Woodcarvers to the furniture by Fine Pine Designs. Peterson Woodworking will return with handmade Swedish-style utensils and woodenware – simply elegant.

Every year, I wonder what fabulousness the Maine Highlands Guild will have on display, and this year won’t disappoint. I’m wild about the garden designs from Iron Art Forge, and though I’m fairly dangerous in a canoe, I can’t wait to see the wood and canvas Northwoods Canoes. Bob’s Sugarhouse will offer beautifully bottled maple syrups, while Preston Farm will sell dried flower wreaths.

Spring Street Co. will offer its luxurious quilts again, and let me just say, those gals have an eye for color and line. On the more traditional end, Braided Works will return with its lovely woolen braided rugs, while Mildred Crocker will offer her tatted items, always a favorite.

If I work up an appetite, I’ll be in good hands with something sweet from Blueberry Bliss, J.L. Dyke’s maple products and Worcester’s Wild Blueberries, something spicy from Jack’s Gourmet Pickles and something savory from Stanchfield Farms.

My shopping habit (not to mention a weekend on the streets reporting) usually leads to sore feet and weary muscles. I may just have to pick up a salve from Maine Coast Herbals. Then I’ll grab an aromatherapy facial blend from Mountain Mama of Maine and a tub of foot balm from Naturally Bee-Ewe-Tiful and turn my bathroom into a spa. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me for a while.

In fact, I may be so relaxed I won’t resurface again until next year. By then I’ll be rested, rejuvenated – and ready to shop, of course. I can’t break with tradition, after all.

ShopNotes

. We have a winner! Congratulations to Gretta Hassell of Winterport, who has won the back-to-school lunchbox packed with lip glosses, beauty products and supplies. Watch this space for the next ShopGirl giveaway, which will take place in mid-September. As always, happy shopping!

. If you haven’t already been to Dressbarn in the Bangor Parkade, what’s stopping you? Dresses for under $40 (and not tacky dresses, either), suits for under $100 – I’m not sure how they do it, but it’s working – clothes are just flying off the racks.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.