John Sedlins, left, and his wife, Elizabeth Sedlins, both of Shepherdstown, browse for Christmas gifts at the Ho Ho Ho-liday Handmade Market in the War Memorial Building. Photo by Tabitha Johnston.

SHEPHERDSTOWN – Although many Christmas events are winding down as the holiday approaches, the Shepherdstown Community Club’s annual Ho Ho Ho-liday Market will be open to the public this weekend, Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local and regional artists, artisans and designers will be selling their handmade products, giving community members the opportunity to be last-minute, unique gifts ranging anywhere from fine art, to furniture, to food.

“We come every year, and just find unique gifts that you don’t find other places, and we like supporting the artisans in our area,” said Regina Teat, of Maryland. “We look forward to this event every year.”

Some community members, such as Jennifer Bean, of Shepherdstown, visit the market every weekend it is open, to check out the wares of the artisans, who vary from week-to-week.

“I come in just about every weekend and look around, because they have different vendors. There are always one or two that are new,” Bean said, as she led her miniature Doxin through the market.

For local artisan Toni Kay Dye, although she sells her artwork along the East Coast throughout the year – mainly in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia – participating in the Christmas show for the last seven years has shown her that customers appreciate being able to buy gifts, like her Native American painted feather art, that are well-made and memorable.

“Usually Christmas is the busiest season – I enjoy the people buying gifts. Whenever I do the show, I try to cover all of the types of things I’ve been asked to do before,” Dye said, mentioning she also does commission work, free-hand acrylic painting images on feathers, which are then framed. “I come up with an idea and just go with it. Most people are surprised by how much I can fit on such small things.”

Fellow artisan Alan Dattelhaum, a wood turner, also developed his craft by using a Native American technique. After Dattelhaum carves a bowl, ice cream scoop handle or cutting board out of locally-sourced reclaimed wood, he fills in its holes with powdered turquoise from New Mexico.

“I got the idea for it a couple years ago when I saw it done in the Santa Fe-area of New Mexico. Turquoise is better than wood filler, wood putty, any product like that,” Dattelhaum said, explaining turquoise looks beautiful standing out against the wood, while other products that are meant to blend with the wood stand out, because they can’t match the color of the wood. “No two things are the same, they’re all one-of-a-kind.”

As Shepherdstown residents Elizabeth and John Sedlins looked through the market, they found a few glass items to use for Christmas gifts.

“It’s an annual event you don’t want to miss,” said Elizabeth Sedlins. “It’s a good time to do your holiday shopping.”