Community Newspaper for Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo, Washington

Local crafters in Lynden show

By Meg Olson

Five local businesses will participate in the Country Collection spring arts and crafts show at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden this weekend.

With the exception of Jill Nymeyer of Bayside Treasures on Peace Portal Drive, all Blaine participants run their antique and craft businesses out of their homes.

Lois and Ron Walsh, with Tobacco Road Treasures, specialize in antique housewares – especially glassware and sewing machines which Lois restores in her H Street home. “We just do shows,” she said. “It’s fun for us and we might make a little money.”

Joan Carlin’s Cabin Antiques specializes in antique linens, which she supplements with her own sewing crafts and baby things. She sells her wares mostly at shows but also has a “little shop in the yard” outside her home on Burk Road near Deltaline Road.

Jean Gibson of JJ’s Heritage Handicrafts recently moved to Birch Bay Village and is looking to participate in as many local shows as she can fit in. Her inventory of knitted and crochet items runs from the kitchen to the bedroom, including cotton dishcloths and hotpads, lap robes and unique hats and scarves.

Janice Vigelius’ and Jill Nymeyer’s handpainted home decorations get a different audience at shows than they do at Bayside Treasures. ‘There are so many more customers,” Janice said. She specializes in slate signs, switchplates and painted tin while Jill paints tin and glass and makes candles.
The spring craft show runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m March 14 and 15 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 16. Over 100 artists and vendors will participate, along with food vendors and live entertainment. Admission is $3.50 or $3 for seniors, and children under 12 get in free...