ST.JOHNSBURY - The Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild is ready for the holiday season. Members are hoping that shoppers will continue to choose to buy locally this year.

The artisan's guild's shop under the purple awning gets a makeover as the holidays approach. Red ribbons adorn various artistic pieces, and holly garlands sit atop some of the taller displays. Many members create special pieces just for the holidays, including one artisan who created a wool felted garland, and another who created Santa ornaments and table toppers out of painted gourds.

But the guild's shopping area isn't the only part that gets a makeover for the holidays. The guild's gallery, located in the back of the shop, shares its space with unique gifts created by local Vermont artisans. Having additional space to display the goods makes it easier for the guild to offer a wide variety of items in different price ranges.

The gallery also houses a Christmas tree during the holidays. Greg McNally of Fall Brook Tree Farm donates a Christmas tree to the guild every year. The Christmas tree displays handmade ornaments for sale, while creating a welcoming holiday atmosphere for shoppers.

Members of the artisan's guild volunteer their time working at the store. Usually the shop has one member working at a time. Starting in the second week of December, the store will need as many as 5 members working at a time.
"It gets really busy at Christmas time. It gets busy in the summer, and then we have our down time in the spring and fall. This is a really important time," explained Amanda Weisenfeld, the Northeast Kingdom Artisan's Guild's Treasurer.

Weisenfeld believes that shopping local is vital to the community. Shopping at local shops and co-operations gives back to the community. Weisenfeld says when shoppers purchase locally made products they not only receive good quality work, but also give back to the local crafters.

"There are so many catalogs and big box stores, and that money just doesn't affect the community, whereas this is right here. People spend their money here, the money goes to the artists here, and then the artists spend the money here. It just all stays local," Weisenfeld explained.

Weisenfeld said that the guild is entirely supported by members and local shoppers who not only shop at the guild during the holidays, but also support them during their off-season.

"We get a lot of community support, and I would say almost 80% of our shoppers year round are local shoppers. People come in with a determination to shop locally. We appreciate it, a lot of people shop here and we say thank you," Weisenfeld said.

The guild is hoping that more community members will look at all of the local shops in downtown St. Johnsbury when shopping for gifts, rather than shopping in big box stores. To learn more about the artisan's guild you can visit their website.