gardens@duke: Garden Guild Holiday Craft Sale

gourd birdhouses

By Erika Zambello

It's almost time to visit the Duke Gardens Garden Guild Holiday Craft Sale to stock up on nature-themed holiday gifts or fun decorations for the home! This year the Garden Guild members have really outdone themselves, with a host of new items to sell along with classic favorites. The sale will be November 15, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. And all proceeds benefit Duke Gardens.

place settings and napkin rings

I arrived at the Garden Guild's regular Monday meeting last week to get a sneak peek at some of the items that will be in the sale. The ornaments are always among my favorite holiday gifts, and so I looked through them first. The sale will feature all varieties, including the tenth year of their tobacco stick angels (this time with each holding an even tinier angel), tobacco stick Santa Claus dolls, painted Christmas bulbs, and creatively cut paper pagodas that would make an excellent addition to any holiday ornament collection. Beautiful dolls reminiscent of Japanese geisha made out of small gourds are some of the new ornament additions. And always popular are the ornaments crafted from dried flowers set against the opaque circle of a capiz shell.

dried flowers on a capiz shell ornaments

paper pagoda ornaments

gourd geisha ornaments

tobacco stick angels

Favorites from last year, purses upcycled from felted sweaters will come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Each purse is unique, and so soft to the touch. Buttons and pin embellishments further add to the intricate design that goes into each individual purse.

Purses & brooches made from recycled felt sweaters

The sale will also feature beautiful jewelry, to purchase as a gift or for your own personal collection. Earrings crafted using origami techniques are available in different colors and patterns, while button bracelets add a flash of light and brightness to any outfit.

Origami earrings

Button bracelets

Knitted goods are also part of the mix, including adult and children's hats as well as small stuffed owls. The owls are child-safe, and each has its own shape, color, and quirky personality.

Knitted owls

Finally, back by popular demand and with more to choose from this year are the gourd birdhouses, each painted individually and coated with a lacquer finish. Whether you prefer flower shapes, geometric patterns or painted pictures, there is a gourd bird house for you!

Gourd bird houses

To check out all these crafts and more, stop by the Garden Guild Craft Fair and see for yourself what the volunteers have created this year. Interested in joining the Duke Gardens Garden Guild? Please go to our Volunteer Page for information on how you can join and attend weekly meetings to learn new skills, teach the group a new craft, and be part of the vibrant Duke Gardens volunteer community!