Christmas shoppers look at ornaments and art pieces on a vendor’s table in the Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — While many of the other Christmas markets in the area have closed up shop this weekend, local shoppers will have at least one last opportunity to shop from artisans this coming weekend, at the 33rd annual Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace in the Historic Entler Hotel.

Held every weekend from the end of November through December, the juried show features the work of some long-lived artisans, as well as ones newer to their crafts, like handcrafted walking stick and wood sculpture artist Greg Vickers.

“My wife and I came to this market last December, so it was certainly on my mind when I began making my work and looking for places to sell it at,” Vickers, who lives in Charles Town, said.

According to Vickers, his business, Vix Stix, specializes in creating usable art that celebrates the physical attributes unique to each piece and kind of wood.

“It’s touchable art — something that art lovers can appreciate, without having to worry when a kid is nearby and reaches for it,” Vickers said.

Handcrafted walking stick and wood sculpture artist Greg Vickers sorts through some of his walking steps at the Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace, which he participated in for the first time this weekend. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

One of the more recognizable faces at the marketplace may be that of Even Rose Love owner Rose Sanders Mendez, who has sold handcrafted, nature-inspired jewelry for both men and women there, for the last 12 years.

“I’ve been participating in this for a long time,” Sanders Mendez said, mentioning her long-lasting relationship with the marketplace has much to do with its organizers, Judith Williamson and Susie Wimer, and its excellent location. “Judy and Susie do a really good job of jurying it. They make sure that there is always a unique assortment of goods being sold by skilled artisans.”

She appreciates the quality of her fellow sellers’ wares, that she said she would be completing the majority of her Christmas shopping at the marketplace this year. The only things she would be purchasing elsewhere would be those that are not made by hand.

“Of course, gifts like technology and clothing I will have to purchase elsewhere,” Sanders Mendez said.

For Wimer, this kind of buying pattern seems to have grown in popularity this year, based on the conversations she has been having with customers.

Shoppers make their way through the Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

“People seem to be shopping locally more. We’ve had a pretty good turnout, especially from people who live nearby here,” Wimer said.

One of the main attractions of marketplace is its rotating series of vendors — out of the nine selling there every weekend, half of them change on a weekly basis, while the other half are are popular artisans who remain there throughout the season. Though even among those who sell there the whole four weeks of the marketplace, their wares change, often due to customer demand.

“Next weekend, people will most likely have all of their decorations up for the holiday, so I will be selling less greenery and more baked goods for gifts and holiday gatherings,” Wimer said, mentioning this would include her cranberry muffins, pies and peppermint bark.

The Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this coming weekend, at 129 East German Street.