JJ's Woodcrafts

Vendor Spotlight: JJ’s Woodcrafts

Jack Jones always loved woodworking and gardening. After retiring in 2000, he realized how many small wood scraps were left behind from various woodworking projects. That was when “JJ’s Woodcrafts” began making birdhouses from recycled materials.

Jack creates and builds birdhouses and feeders from repurposed barn wood from the 1800’s. Each house is unique and decorated with old hardware found in barns being dismantled.

Jack spends hours researching birds to learn about their living habits. Each house is built with care and creativity. As most wood is 50-200 years old it has been naturally weathered and distressed with variations in grains, knots and wear. Each house is as unique as the wood used to make it.

Come see JJ’s Woodcrafts on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)

Terraintextures

Vendor Spotlight: Terraintextures

Alyssa Cuesta has been creating handmade jewelry, paintings, and other forms of functional art containing real dried foliage and mushrooms foraged in PA since her creation of Terraintextures in 2017.

“When I find a desirable mushroom, I stop, crouch down, and scan the entire area at almost ground level to be sure I didn’t miss any other mushrooms… Especially for tiny mushrooms, once I find one I keep a really close eye on the area I found that mushroom in; kind of similar to searching for shark teeth. If there’s one there’s probably tons more. I also take advantage of my sense of smell. I can always find morels and oyster mushrooms just by smelling the air and directing myself to where the scent came from. It sounds crazy but when a scent is learned it’s easy to recognize! “

Each piece of work made by Alyssa is unique and thoughtfully designed to display a treasured, miniature environment as seen occurring naturally in nature.

Come see Terraintextures on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)

Phillip Marc Sons of Liberty

Vendor Spotlight: Philip Marc Sons of Liberty

Considering its location, there may be no more appropriate McConkey’s Market vendor than Philip Marc Sons of Liberty. Philip constructs hand painted signs that recreate iconic symbols from around the time of the American Revolution.

“We were at my brother’s house, and I was sitting across from a tavern sign my sister-in-law had just purchased at Colonial Williamsburg,” Philip says. “As someone who has always loved American history, I decided in that moment to create art inspired by that time period. I went home that night and sketched my first signboard – Ben Franklin’s ‘Join or Die’ political cartoon.”

Philip uses seven-inch tongue and groove southern Georgia heart pine floorboards as the base for his pieces, each of which is distressed to simulate age. Some have worm holes, ax markings, dents, cracked paint, and even simulated musket ball holes. 

Philip says there are many historic images that appeared around the time of the Revolutionary War that have been lost. He believes Americans should know the meaning behind these images, some of which helped to spark America’s birth. 

“My objective is to reintroduce some of these meaningful symbols as a way to educate and celebrate our national freedom,” he says.  

Come see Philip Marc Sons of Liberty on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA). 

Blue Fox Studio

Vendor Spotlight: Blue Fox Studio

Many of the items sold at McConkey’s Market are one of a kind. That includes the work of Sue Fox Mitrano, of Blue Fox Studio. 

“A friend introduced me to the art form of Shibori, an ancient Japanese hand-dyeing technique using indigo,” she says. “I was hooked after my first dye session.”

Sue creates hand-dyed Shibori accessories and home goods. The technique involves natural fiber fabric that is folded, bound, twisted, or stitched and then submerged in a dye vat multiple times. Variations are a natural result, making each piece distinctive. 

“I’m inspired by the unique combination of control and surprise in Shibori dyeing,” Sue says. “With careful practice, I can repeatedly create the same patterns in the cloth, but there are always little surprises – and sometimes big ones – and that is part of the appeal.”    

“It really is a magical process watching the color change,” she adds. “Unwrapping the fabric to see the resulting pattern never fails to delight me!”

Come see Blue Fox Studio on June 13 from 10AM – 4PM at McConkey’s Market in Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA).