Archive for Bradford
Oh, the creative mind
Need some inspiration? Take a trip to Newbury for the annual Craftsmen’s Fair. I stopped in at every demo tent to watch the creative mind at work. The photo is of Garry Kalajian of Ararat Forge, based in Bradford, working in front of an audience of all ages. Then I toured all the tents – you know, the ones where you can buy things – and drooled over all the crafts, art, clothing, pottery and jewelry. Since today is the first day of the event, I made my list of wants and I have the rest of the week to decide if those wants are needs. I did make one purchase: the limited edition ornament by Joseph DeRobertis of New London. It’s really stunning. So get down to Newbury while the sun’s out. I was really pleased to see the variety of price points this year – from $5 to $20 and up. You’ll be able to get a once-in-a-lifetime handmade gift without breaking the bank. 
There’s a barn raising in Bradford
Get ready for a good old-fashioned barn raising! On Saturday, June 13, the Bradford Historical Society volunteers plan to raise the timbers for the new village smithy on East Main Street (next to the Stewart Agency). The village smithy will be a warm-weather historical attraction, kind of like what you might find at Strawbery Banke or Billings Farm & Museum. Folks can visit the village smithy and see a blacksmith at work, most likely using historical tools from one of the former blacksmith shops in town. It will be a great addition to our area, which already has so many cool things to do and see, and wonderful for the town of Bradford.
Antiques, art & collectibles
A sunny weekend! It’s time to hop in the car and check out the yard sales and the antique shops. I took a ride to Old Road Antiques on 9 Old Sutton Road in Bradford, where Sarah and Geoffrey Hirsch have goodies in their barn, basement and backyard (well, side yard, but that didn’t start with a b). I was impressed with the selection of items – there was a little bit of everything: pottery, jewelry, art, furniture, housewares. I collect refrigeratorware, for example, Hall china and Pyrex used to make storage containers for specific refrigerator brands. Not only did the pre-Tupperware containers fit exactly into the doors or shelves of these old fridges, they usually came in matching colors. I saw a vintage Kraft bowl – it might have been part of a Fiestaware set made for Kraft (buy this cheese and get a bowl) – as well as a Pyrex set of four containers. I controlled myself (for once), but was only because I purchased something at the Henniker Riverside Artisans shop earlier in the day. (See next blog.)
Sign? What sign?
In my search for a cover worthy fall photo, I ignored all sorts of signs today: residents only, no trespassing, no parking and no stopping, to name a few. I didn’t get the shot I was hoping for, so some sort of karma must be at work. I’ll do less parking-where-I-feel-like-it and a bit more walking next time. Promise.
