Local farmers, bakers and artists displayed their homespun wares as people browsed the Marshfield Farmers Market on Saturday at the Marshfield fairgrounds.
MARSHFIELD -- Local farmers, bakers and artists displayed their homespun wares as people browsed the Marshfield Farmers Market on Saturday at the Marshfield fairgrounds.
“We’re having a sewing weekend,” said Susan O’Reilly as she and her granddaughter Catherine, 6, examined some handmade bags, “so I’m showing her all the beautiful things people have made.”
O’Reilly’s husband Richard was playing guitar with his band, the O'Reilly Bailey Band, which was set up on a little stage in a corner of the market. She said that, since the market has a different artist performing every month, it can be hard to get booked to perform there. Families with young children sat watching the band, with a few people dancing to the Celtic music.
Karleen Karas of Bridgewater stood by her table draped with colorful quilts, all made by her. She said her mother quilted while Karas was growing up, which is where she learned the skill. Now, she sells quilts that can be used as blankets, wall hangings or tablecloths.
“Quilts are very versatile,” she said. “You can do a lot with quilts.”
She’s noticed her quilts with animals sell the best. She said parents often choose ones adorned with jungle animals for nurseries and that people gravitate towards quilts with elephants on them. An elephant with its trunk pointed up, explained Karas, is a sign of good luck.
Cheryl Rozenas of Rochester displayed her alpaca wool products she produces on a farm she and her husband Bronie run. Her tables were covered in things like soft, undyed wool socks, shoe inserts, hats and gloves. Some of their products include photos of the alpaca that produced the wool the product is made from.
“People always come and buy them as Christmas presents,” she said.
She and Bronie bought the farm in 2001 and have kept alpacas for the past 10 years. Now, they own 18 of the animals.
A fire destroyed their barn, which held their alpaca fiber from that year and some of their supplies, last summer. But Cheryl said that hasn’t stopped she and Bronie from continuing to make and sell their goods.
“We’re rebuilding, and we’re determined to come back,” she said.
Linda Faulkner of Brant Rock estimates she’s been to the Marshfield Farmers Market 20 or 30 times. On Saturday, she said she arrived with a specific purchase in mind- rosehip jelly. She said she regularly comes to the market to purchase the jelly for a 100-year-old cousin of hers who loves it.
The usual vendor who makes it wasn’t there, but Faulkner picked up some spiced molasses cookies called hermits instead.
“My grandmother used to make them,” she said.
The Marshfield Winter Farmers Market is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every third Saturday of the month until May.
Audrey Cooney may be reached at acooney@ledger.com.