Escape the hustle and bustle of traditional holiday shopping and experience a one-of-a-kind back country roads shopping adventure. With more than two dozen top-notch craftspeople offering demonstrations and unique one-of-a-kind gifts, the 34th Annual Putney, Vermont Crafts Tour stands out among art excursions. This eclectic collection of artists and their studios are tucked in the hills and valleys of this quaint New England village and offer something for everyone on this year’s holiday shopping list.
Glass blowers, woodworkers, weavers, potters, jewelry designers, metalworkers and even cheese makers open their studios for this three day weekend and welcome visitors in to explore the art of making art. Visits as few or as many as you like following the map or clearly defined directional signs located throughout Putney. There’s so much to see that it’s difficult to visit all the participants even over the course of the long weekend. Participants also change from year-to-year so there’s always something new to see and explore on this annual event. We ourselves try and visit a few of our favorite artists as well as a few new ones each year and they never dissappoint. Hours are 10am-5pm daily.
Another one of our favorites going on simultaneously this Thanksgiving weekend is the 10th Annual Walpole Artisan Tour featuring artist demonstrations in studios throughout the Walpole area. The tour starts at the Walpole Artists Cooperative, a gallery founded by local artists located at 52 Main Street across from Burdick Chocolates in beautiful downtown Walpole, NH. Maps are available at the co-op and raffles will be drawn for two – $25 gift certificates good for merchandise available at the art cooperative.
Both of these events offer great opportunities to be a local hero and shop local this holiday season – giving a gift to our communities as well as your loved one all while helping you meet the challenge to shift 10% (or more!) of your shopping to local this holiday season.
Hope to see you in Walpole this weekend!
Jackie, Innkeeper