Dec 10, 2009

Island artisans fill Holiday Gift ShopBy Gwyn McAllisterMVTimes.com

A group of Vineyard artisans have banded together for the holiday season to display their talents, crafts, art, food and handiwork in the Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop on Main Street in Vineyard Haven. For the past 15 years, enterprising Islanders have collaborated to present their wares to holiday shoppers at various locations during the holiday season. All sales receipts go directly to the individual vendor, which has helped keep the prices down. This year, close to 30 artisans agree that the Main Street location has given them the visibility they needed.

The shop, the space formerly occupied by Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, is chock full of seasonal decorations and gift selections – a soup-to-nuts variety of Island made, unique and professional quality items. Thought has been given to the presentations and displays, making everything in the cozy shop look tempting.

An added attraction is the chance to win the raffle for a gift basket of art put together by the all the artists, and while participating, to make a contribution to Island Food Pantry. Tickets sell for $1 each ticket or six tickets for $5 with all the proceeds going to the Island Food Pantry.

The variety of selections is impressive. Just inside the door there is a colorful array of knitted neck warmers in textured yarns. There are some small, hearty jade plants, aloes and Christmas cacti, and nearby, samples of some of Linda Alley’s jams in tasty combinations, such as mango-apricot, rosemary and red pepper ginger. There is everything from inexpensive whimsical Christmas earrings to silver Island-shaped pet tags.

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