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Date: 11/1/2022
WILLIAMSBURG — “To the artist, they might be seconds, but most pieces look perfect, and prices are perfect, too,” according to Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program.
The popular three-weekend sale features the work of over 200-plus artisans selling their wares in glass, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, baskets, wood, cards, prints, ornaments and more, with new works on sale each weekend.
The Second Sale was conceived by Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program founder Jane Sinauer and Josh Simpson, an internationally known glass blower, with the idea to provide an opportunity for artists to sell their “less-than-perfect pieces at consumer-friendly prices” ranging from $5 to $100.
All purchases during the sale support the craft education program and scholarships at Snow Farm and the artists whose work is purchased. One hundred percent of the $6 entry fee ticket supports the scholarship funds; the sale proceeds support the education program.
“Seconds is defined loosely because an artisan might think of something as a second – it has a slight flaw, or it was an experimental piece that they didn’t end up making more of it. Mostly it’s a functional craft where people might have done an experimental piece that they didn’t make more of or pieces that maybe didn’t sell for one reason or another, and they’d been in their back room. So, they bring it to the second sale at really, really attractive prices,” explained Snow Farm’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Lisa Oran.
Located on a 50-acre historic dairy farm, the Snow Farm program is a nonprofit craft education program that offers a complete list of residential crafts workshops in topics such as ceramics, woodworking, fiber and basket making, metal smithing, 2D and mixed media, mosaics and glass.
The scenic campus combines 11 modern and historic buildings that have been converted into studios for welding, drawing and painting, metalsmithing and jewelry, flameworking, offices and a fiber studio.
Oran said the money the artisans earn is something the organization feels proud of. The sale doesn’t require the artists to be physically present, like at a traditional craft fair, because Snow Farm handles all the presentations and absorbs all the credit card purchase fees.
Another added feature is not unique to just artisans who have been involved in the workshops and programs at Snow Farm but is open to all those interested in participating and selling their seconds work. “It is a really nice sort of benefit for artists during the holiday season for them to bring in some extra money, and in the past, $95,000 to almost $100,000 profit went back into the community of artists.”
With expected large crowds of 1,000 people per weekend, readers are encouraged to reserve a per hour shopping time to reduce lines and help keep the galleries less crowded. This setup allows 65 people in the galleries with a wiggle room for walk-ins.
The Seconds Sale will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27.
Please be advised that since the Snow Farm is located on farmland, the pathways between galleries are unpaved and slightly hilly. For more information and to make reservations, readers can visit https://www.snowfarm.org/.