July 23, 2016, is the fourth Saturday of the month and that means the Fernandina Beach Art Market will be joining the farmers market located on North Seventh Street.
Charlie’s Art is Artist Charlie Weisenborn who specializes in oil paintings. While she paints just about anything, at the Arts Market, she concentrates on 24 X 36 inch paintings, affordable minis with easel stands, coloring canvas packs, tees, aprons, tea towels and other reproductions of her original designs relating to farmers market items, and of course, shrimp.
Reverse Glass by Gail is painted glassware where the designs face both the interior and the exterior of the glass. This creates an unusual view that can be enjoyed from any angle. Non-toxic, permanent, dishwasher and microwave safe, these environmentally inspired works of art are original, hand painted, and make wonderful gifts.
La Soucique Studio Silversmiths is another exhibitor in the Arts Market and they take their inspiration from the sea creating pieces in the calming and vibrant hues of the sand and water. They like to use found objects (such as sea glass) and utilize hand forging techniques to create custom silver jewelry that highlights the timeless simplicity, tranquility and beauty of each piece of sea glass or gemstone.
Over in the Market Place farmers’ markets weekly vendors include vendors like the Cross Creek Honey Company who spent over three years working with the Florida Department of Agriculture to adopt the first honey standard in the nation. They have resupplied their Florida Everglades honey. This new batch of honey is very good tasting, a little sweeter, and a bit paler in color than what you have seen at their booth in the past. They have several new beeswax candle designs, too.
Another weekly vendor is Percy’s Spice Pantry, a family business operated by Percy and her daughters. They make uniquely flavored salts that can be used for cooking, rubbing, or finishing, and the salts make fantastic rimmers for your cocktail of choice.
Topsy Toffee’s Tucker Juan told me his fun logo represents the St. John’s River, and his family recipe for toffee is a delicious, natural product made from Florida sugar and Georgia pecans that will last for about 45 days, longer if kept in the fridge… but honestly, the toffee tastes so good it will be long gone before the end of the first week. Be sure to try his summer specialty, “S’mores of July”. Flavored with slivered almonds, graham crackers, melted chocolate, and topped with marshmallows, this is sure to be a seasonal favorite.
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a Massage Therapy program and their students need practical hours of experience, and what better place for them to find subjects than a well attended farmers market? Stop by to learn more about the program, or to experience a supervised massage by one of their students.
Together the markets bring nearly 60 vendors to downtown Fernandina offering a delightful and unique outdoor shopping experience where friends and neighbors gather. This week’s music is provided by the toe-tapping sounds of Bruce Beville and Laid Back. For more information, please find both markets on facebook and the world wide web.
