Walk around the two floors of the Unitarian Church in Peterborough this Saturday and you’ll find all kinds of great local products made by local people.
There will be gifts for everyone on your list at the Living Local Art Fair, with artists selling woolen accessories, jewelry, glass creations, stone bird baths, wooden furniture, pillows and purses, tinctures and lotions, cards, holiday decorations and more.
“Most years the same artists return, which has been a lot of fun,” said organizer Roz Hanchett. “So it’s been neat for people to be able to come back each year and know that person will be there.”
And unlike some fairs, there’s plenty of options for the kids.
With spots for a little more than 30 vendors, Hanchett said there was more interest this year than ever and it’s hard deciding how to fill out the remaining spots once her returning artists have signed on to be there. The goal is to have a nice variety of goods, so she only takes a few vendors in each category.
“I wanted to always make sure there’s something for everyone,” she said.
Hanchett said that she appreciates the fact her artisans and crafters understand the importance of making things available to everyone.
“Most people realize it’s a chance to sell gifts that people can afford,” Hanchett said.
This is the eighth year of the Living Local Art Fair and Hanchett has enjoyed watching it grow since she started it to fill in when Broke (the Affordable Arts Fair) wasn’t held.
“We’ve become a little community that loves to help each other,” she said.
It’s also a nice reminder of the difference shopping locally can make.
“The point of it is to support local artisans and put the money back into our local economy,” Hanchett said.
Every year, the parents and students of Hanchett’s Robin’s Nest nature preschool puts on a bake sale to benefit a local group with this year’s recipient being the Peterborough Bike Park, which will sell ornaments to raise money for the first phase of the project.
Blackfire Farm will have their brick oven trailer set up outside the fair selling wood fired pizza.
Living Local will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Unitarian Church in Peterborough.
For more, search Living Local Art Fair on Facebook.