Customers pick out some pieces of pottery from the Catoctin Creek Pottery booth at the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown market on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Harpers Ferry resident John Jordan watched as his wife, Amy Jordan, demonstrated the ingenious design of one of her top selling items, at her booth in the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown on Saturday.

The design for her pet scarf, unlike that of the average scarf, was developed to prevent pets from being choked when wearing them. The care that went into the creation of Magnolia Bark & Company’s pet scarves was clear, as they were handcrafted out of machine washable, hardy material in dozens of eye-catching colors and patterns. The scarves could also be embroidered with a pet’s name, for an additional price.

“Amy does all of this on her own,” John said. “Other scarves will attach into a collar which, when a leash is added to that, can twist around the neck too tightly and prove uncomfortable.”

A steady stream of shoppers could be found checking out Magnolia Bark & Company’s booth at the market, eager to find the perfect scarf for holiday photographs or gift-giving. Although the market was on the smaller end of the size the business typically participates in, John said it had unquestionably been a success for them.

“It has more of a small-town feel to it, which has the benefit of allowing you to develop more personal connections with customers. That means a lot for us as a small business — it can lead to a longterm relationship and future sales,” John said, mentioning he also enjoyed that the market was an indoor one, unlike a good number of the ones they participate in throughout the year. “We’ve already talked about coming back to sell here again in the future.”

Magnolia Bark & Company owner Amy Jordan, right, shows one of her products to a couple visiting her booth at the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown market on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

In another part of the War Memorial Building, Darling Dots Design artisan Rachel Cammer could be found selling a variety of fun and functional pieces, including her newest product — a miniature glow-in-the-dark ghost wearing a Santa Claus hat. Introducing new items like this at the market keeps things interesting and fresh for her customers — many of whom have supported her business over the eight years she has been participating in Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown.

“I honestly love Shepherdstown — I love its vibe in general and the customers I meet here. It’s just such a fun atmosphere — there’s always something happening in this town,” Cammer, who is a Martinsburg native, said. “The holiday markets in Shepherdstown are some of my favorite things to sell at.”

She noted that this market, for her, marked the official start to the holiday shopping season.

“People come here searching for the perfect gift for someone. I love being able to help people find that unique, special gift,” Cammer said. “These are gifts that you can’t buy at Walmart — not a single one is duplicate of another.”

This market, which is in its ninth year, is a two-weekend event. It will return to the War Memorial Building this coming Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a mixture of new and returning sellers from its first weekend.

Holiday-minded shoppers make their way through the second floor of the War Memorial Building, during the first weekend of the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown market. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

“About half of the artisans here will be different — it makes this so much more exciting and interesting for shoppers,” said market organizer and Wild Rose Soap Company owner Michelle Kwiatkowski. “Christmas shoppers can come here both weekends and walk away with an entirely different experience.”

She noted that the market is working to support the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia this year, by collecting donations of new blankets, pajamas and stuffed animals. Donations, which may be dropped off at the table in the foyer of the War Memorial Building, will be delivered to the organization’s branch in Martinsburg, to give to children in the foster care system.

Darling Dots Design owner Rachel Cammer, left, chats with Martinsburg resident Erica Covington, at the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

Shoppers browse the items at the Appalachia Botanical Company booth at the Handmade Christmas in Shepherdstown market on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston