Holiday Gift Shop features stylish masks, earrings from pipes

Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest: Dec. 4-6
Fri, 11/20/2020 - 1:00pm

    The Wiscasset Holiday Gift Shop, a Marketfest feature, will offer one-of-a-kind gift items from a large selection of regional artisans. The shop will be chock full of unusual finds, some useful and practical, some just to warm the heart. In 2020, the Holiday Gift Shop pops up at 75 Main St., in the heart of the Village.

    Wicks’ Forge from Pownal introduces a new item to its inventory – earrings – in addition to the wrought iron hooks, trivets, ornaments, and other useful items for which the forge is known. According to
    blacksmith and Wicks’ Forge owner, Nicholas Wicks Moreau, the earrings are fabricated from salvaged copper water pipes which are cut and flattened. The face of the earrings when worn is the interior of the pipe and the striated coloration is naturally occurring from the minerals in the water that ran through those pipes for years. Some of the earrings tend towards light and dark greens and others are blue and turquoise, depending on the conditions of the water. The edges of the earrings have a copper glow which results from cutting the pipes, giving the earrings a shimmering outline. They are very lightweight and distinctive with this fascinating back story.

    Asian Accents in Wiscasset is an admired fashion house featuring kimono-styled jackets pieced and sewn from Japanese inspired fabrics by owner Christine Hopf-Lovette. Since the early days of the coronavirus, Christine has been making face masks from scraps of her fabric, then giving them to neighbors and others in need of protection. For the Marketfest Gift Shop, Christine is presenting a collection of up-scaled face masks fashioned and pieced similarly to her finely designed jackets. According to Christine, “These trend-setting Covid masks are made from a crazy quilt of bright fabrics that provide three layers of protection. The ear loops are adjustable, and wire bands fit the bridge of the nose.” Make a fashion statement with your mask.

    Although the winter is just ahead, think spring with an everlasting garden journal, “My Garden Through the Year,” for yourself or a friend. The spiral-bound journal features gardening tips for each month and plenty of space for your own gardening notes. Did you forget to set up your peony hoops last year or cut back your towering perennials? Never again with this journal which is personalized by the gardener. Each month features a hand-rendered graphic representing a community landscape project by COGdesign, a non-profit co-founded by Wiscasset resident Lucia Droby.  According to Lucia, “COGdesign connects underserved communities in the greater Boston area with the pro bono design assistance they need to develop master plans and gardens for schoolyards, homeless shelters, neighborhood parks, and historic sites.” All sales from the journal are given to COGdesign.

    These and many more special things are part of the Holiday Gift Shop during Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest. The gift shop will have a single point of sale and will accept payment by charge card. Gift shop hours are Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday,  Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 75 Main St. in Wiscasset Village. Parking is plentiful throughout the Village.

    For more event details, raffle locations, and other information: www.wiscassetholidaymarketfest.com and browse the Calendar. Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest is a partnership event of Wiscasset Creative Alliance and Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce.

    Major Sponsors to-date for Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest are Carl M.P. Larrabee Agency, Carriage House Gardens, First Federal Savings and Loan, First National Bank, Red’s Eats, and Wiscasset Ford with additional support from BIRCH and Rock Paper Scissors. FMI: ludroby@verizon.net