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Artists of the Rust Belt display unique works at B&O event
YOUNGSTOWN
Artists of the Rust Belt’s ninth annual Last Minute Christmas Market put the unique and creative works of local artists on display and for sale Sunday at the B&O Station in Youngstown.
And, for those who leave their Christmas gift shopping almost literally to the last minute, Artists of the Rust Belt is having another show and sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 23 at the B&O, 530 Mahoning Ave., near downtown.
“It’s a unique shopping experience,” said Tony Nicholas, Youngstown photographer and co-coordinator of the event with Amy Komara of Youngstown, manager of the B&O.
Nicholas was among the 40 vendors, who are passionate about their work, that set up shop at Sunday’s sale offering a wide variety of creations.
His images are Youngstown-centric, some of which are collages of new and old photos, he said.
Handmade products of Ken Schenker Creations, which can be reached at schenkerken@gmail.com, include live-edge tables made with tree slabs, rocking horses and cutting boards.
In her day job, Lauren Potts-Novotak of Austintown does data entry and social media work for a local company. But her avocation for the past nine years has been creating gemstone jewelry using such materials as tourmaline, aquamarine and citrine.
As a published jewelry designer, Potts-Novotak’s work and tutorials have appeared in crafting catalogues. Her business, Lunalu Artisan Jewelry can be reached at lunalujewelry@yahoo.com.
Niles Atty. Jason Rebraca describes his handmade wooden pens as “unique, practical gifts.”
Ranging in price from about $15 to $75, Rebraca’s pens are made from American cherry and oak to exotic cocobolo wood from Central America and olive tree wood from Bethlehem.
The construction process includes turning the wood on a lathe to get the desired shape, drilling out the center to accommodate the working pieces and sand and polish the finished product.
Other works of art for sale included paintings, ceramics, pottery and homemade candy.
“Dec. 23 will be the last chance for a unique shopping experience ... to see things you wouldn’t see in a chain store,” said Nicholas.