Don't quite have your holiday shopping done yet? Not to worry - this weekend will be a great time to finish up shopping for a few of those hard-to-buy-for folks on all our lists! This Saturday is the annual Martinsville Cookie Stroll in downtown Martinsville. Hosted by Rediscover Martinsville, the event is about much more than just the cookies. One of my favorite things about this event is the many wonderful shopping opportunities that can be found. You'll find awesome gift ideas at local downtown businesses you may have never visited before! Here are a few examples:
If you've got a jewelry enthusiast on your list, you'll love the many options from both De Lyn Jewelry on Washington Street and from Pam Hurst Designs, one of several artisans you'll find at The Sterling Butterfly on Morgan Street. Also stop by Berries & Ivy Country Store for the ladies in your life - you'll find jewelry, home decor and more!
For the guys on your list, check out The Barn Archery for hunting accessories and more, as well as the IDT Barnwood Furniture Store for unique, handmade items for the home with a rustic flair. Both stores are located on Morgan Street.
Art lovers of all kinds will be thrilled with locally made gifts from The Sterling Butterfly, fun creations from Art Work by Elizabeth on Morgan Street, hand painted gourds from Berries & Ivy Country Store on Main Street or the work of several artists that work out of the Art Sanctuary, located at Sycamore and Pike Streets.
Of course, kids of all ages are always happy with gifts (or gift certificates) from the Martinsville Candy Kitchen! They'll be hand pouring candy canes at approximately 10 am, Noon and 3 pm each Saturday until Christmas.
The special thing about shopping in downtown Martinsville during the annual Cookie Stroll event is the extra shopping opportunities you get to explore! The Morgan County Farmers Market hosts an annual Holiday Market each year in conjunction with the event, featuring handmade item from local vendors. Add in the brand-new Cookie Stroll Craft Fair and you've got nearly double the shopping to enjoy!
Here's the scoop - the Holiday Market will be held from 11 am to 4 pm at Keller Hall, next door to the Presbyterian Church located at the corner of Washington and Sycamore Streets. They'll feature up to 18 vendors with items ranging from locally grown food items such as meat, eggs and sorghum molasses to a wide variety of hand-crafted items. A few of the more unique items you'll find include handmade pottery, locally-crafted soaps, lotions and bath bombs, fun wooden signs, hand cut and carved walking sticks, handcrafted vanilla, baked goods, holiday decorations, handmade textiles, local honey, jewelry, baskets and handbags and more!
Just down the road, the Cookie Stroll Craft Fair is located on the lower level of the Art Sanctuary from 10 am to 4 pm, where you'll find an additional 15 booths full of handmade items. Local and regional artisans will showcase their wares, including handmade pottery, hand-poured candles, wooden signs and holiday themed items, body lotions, scrubs and bombs, re-purposed wine bottles and cork decor, handcrafted toys and puppets, hardwood cutting boards and rolling pens, fiber gift items, handcrafted pens, unique jewelry and handmade hairbows.
Several Art Sanctuary artists will also have works on sale at Disciple House, located at 127 South Main Street. The Fine Arts Show & Sale is new to the Cookie Stroll this year and will be open from 11 am to 4 pm, featuring paintings, loom woven pieces, pottery, woodcarving and more!
Do NOT miss this opportunity to mark those names off your holiday shopping list and "shop small," all at the same time! We hear even Santa Claus will be in town to finish up his shopping - and take a few photos with good little boys and girls. He'll be at About Face Pictures on Morgan Street from 11 am to 1 pm where a professional photographer will be on hand to snap your photos at a very affordable price. Then, he'll wander over to the Holiday Market where he'll be available to meet with your kiddos from 1:30 to 3:30 pm and you are welcome to take photos with your own camera.
Happy holiday shopping!
