Summertime vibes: Mason Seidling, sales representative for Happy Lucky’s Teas, vends loose teas and handmade tea-infused soaps at the Holistic Homestead Farmers Market. [/caption]

The Holistic Homestead organized the Gilpin County Farmers Market on July 6, 2024, held at the Gilpin County Community Center. The market featured local vendors, live music, and a gift basket drawing.

Vendors sold items like baked goods, unique jewelry, colorful tie-dyes, aromatic teas, soaps, honey, jellies, jams, and pottery made in the Community Center Clay Studio.

Despite the unpredictable nature of the wind – a notorious phenomenon in the region – the day remained pleasant and conducive to outdoor activities. Organizers and attendees alike were grateful that the wind (often referred to in hushed tones to avoid tempting fate) was relatively mild, allowing everyone to enjoy the market without disruption.

Among the vendors was Dory Dozens Delights from Central City, offering eggs, homemade jams, marmalades, salsas, and mustards in glass jars, with over 35 different products.

Owner Julia Ziobro shared that her best sellers are banana butter, sweet and spicy bourbon mustard, and anything raspberry. Her Arwen’s Wimpy salsa was named after Arwen Ek, founder of the Holistic Homestead, who requested a milder salsa.

Ziobro, who picks most of her berries by hand, learned canning from her grandmother and started the practice as a child. She explained that canned goods don’t expire unless air gets inside, which can be tested by pressing on the lid. More information and online shopping are available at Dory Dozens Delights.

Evelyn Blodgett showcased her handmade jewelry, specializing in malas – beaded necklaces used for meditation – and leather earrings. She has been crafting earrings for eight years and malas for about four years after attending a workshop.

Blodgett will host a mala braceletmaking workshop on July 13 at Chipeta Park in Nederland, featuring a guided meditation, a giant bubble station, and a bubbly water bar with essential oils.

Jake Kaiser displayed his tie-dye clothing, including a new black series with tie-dye on black clothing. He has been professionally tie-dying for about five years, creating items such as pillowcases, curtains, tapestries, baby clothes, pants, and t-shirts, and he also takes custom orders.

Mason Seidling vended Happy Lucky’s Teas and handmade, tea-infused soaps, offering samples of Chocolate Chai and Madam Grey teas. Seidling’s favorite tea is the Rooibos Chocolate Raspberry, which he makes using a tea strainer. Seidling will also be at the Gilpin County Fair from July 19-21 with his teas and soaps.

The Holistic Homestead had a booth with cherries for $3 a bag, fresh lettuce, carrots, beets, apples, oranges, and various healthy, organic snacks. The gift basket drawing included Organic Raspberry Jam by Dory Dozens, a tea strainer by Happy Lucky’s, banana bread by Burro Ears Bakery, coffee mugs by the Gilpin Clay Studio, and copies of Taste of the Peaks and the Visitor’s Guide, published by The Mountain-Ear newspaper.

Burro Ears Bakery’s Dutch Oven Bread and pretzel buns were so popular they sold out before noon. Fresh cinnamon rolls are made each morning before an event, and preorders can be picked up on Fridays at the Homestead or at First-Saturday Gilpin Farmers Markets. Online order forms are available at the Homestead.

“Grill Your Face,” a food booth specializing in vegetarian and vegan entrees and snacks, was also a hit. Owner Chance Richter, who lives locally, is available for private parties, festivals, breweries, and farmers markets and can be reached at grillyourface.food@gmail.com.

The Holistic Homestead hosts several events throughout the year as part of their mission to “build healthy communities through outreach.” The next First Saturday Farmers Market will be on August 3, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at The Holistic Homestead.