COLRAIN — Peggy Davis channels her creativity into making what she calls “junk journals.” By repurposing old paper, maps, envelopes, notebooks and tickets, she creates themed journals to give as presents for loved ones.
Davis’ handcrafted journals are among the items that will be available during the 19th annual Crafts of Colrain studio tour set for Saturday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Crafts of Colrain is a self-guided tour that invites visitors to the hilltown to see what local residents are making and to give people the opportunity to buy these goods in the place where they’re created.
“People love to go into the country and see what people are doing out here,” said Lynn Fisher, a crafter participating in Crafts of Colrain.
Fisher makes a wide variety of fiber arts, through which she uses felting, cotton and wool techniques. She has announced this will be her retirement year after having participated in Crafts of Colrain since its inception. That being the case, she is putting all her crafts on sale. Proceeds from sales of Fisher’s items support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and UNICEF Ukraine.
Celebrating a different milestone during the Crafts of Colrain weekend is Stoneman Brewery, which marks its 10-year anniversary. The brewery, at 20 Stetson Brothers Road, is releasing a new beer called Decade Double Bock, made with 100% Northeast hops and grain.
Also selling her handmade goods is Cynthia Herbert, who offers handwoven and knit throws, wraps and hats. She raises Angora goats in her backyard and makes yarn from their coats to use for her work. The yarn she uses is blended with wool to make a particularly warm product.
Herbert recounted working 44 hours to make six full-size throw blankets, making her work a labor of love.
Down the road from Herbert’s weaving studio is Pacifico “Tony” Palumbo and his paintings. Palumbo is a retired neon crafter from New York City. He made huge neon light art pieces, but has taken up painting since then.
Inspired by the scenery around him, Palumbo sells oil paintings of Colrain bridges and cornfields. His work was featured in the Colrain on Canvas show earlier this year, and allows visitors to take a piece of the hilltown’s landscape home with them.
If taking home something that was once a part of Colrain is what visitors are looking for, they may be interested in stopping at Neil Stetson’s woodworking studio. Stetson uses as much local wood as possible to make cutting boards, bowls, utensils and more.
Specifically for Crafts of Colrain, Stetson will sell small wooden Christmas trees as home decor. He is also working on a freestanding butcher block that is ideal for kitchens that lack counter space.
“All these people are dedicated crafters,” Davis noted. “Making this event gives us a community. It can be lonely sitting in our cold studios.”
For more information about the event, including a full list of participating craftspeople and a map, visit craftsofcolrain.com.
Bella Levavi can be reached at blevavi@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.
An earlier version of this article unclearly stated how proceeds would be handled.