Annual Lynden fall craft show features Blaine vendors

As the falling leaves begin their descent, they signal the approach of the annual Lynden Craft and Antique Show.

This year, the 30th annual fall show will take place on Thursday, October 17 through Saturday, October 19 at the Northwest Washington Fair Expo Building at 1775 Front Street in Lynden.

Over 100 artisans, crafters and antique and vintage dealers will be present. Local vendors from Blaine will be among those selling their products.

Daniel Hamilton began blacksmithing as a hobby four years ago. He started off learning his trade from watching YouTube videos and experimenting in his backyard, and began attending local farmer’s markets to sell his wares.

In August 2018, he quit his full-time job to focus on his business, Dakota Creek Forge. He forges coat hooks, wall racks, candle holders, garden tools, yard decorations and, most recently, knives. This will be his second time at the fall craft show.

“It’s always been a really good market for me,” Hamilton said. “I’m just trying to bring my best there and hopefully make some long-term customers.”

John and Lila De Weber have been making dried soups and pastries ever since they discovered the items were a popular Christmas gift.

“My wife and I both like to cook,” John De Weber said. “We thought we would make something unique and fun for our neighbors for Christmas presents. And they loved them.”

Each soup mix requires only a wet ingredient, such as milk or water. Perishable items such as meat can be added if desired. Each mix makes one gallon of finished soup. Instant Pots, Crock-Pots or stove tops can be used to make the soups.

“We make up all the recipes,” De Weber said. “We try them until we get them exactly where we want them.”

Each mix costs $15 unless you buy four or more; then they drop down to $12 each. The couple also sells cornbread, brownies, peanut butter cookies and banana bread with their business, Drayton Harbor Soups and Such.

This will be their second time at the fall craft show. De Weber said soup mix sales are more successful during the fall show, rather than during the spring show.

Christine Wekking has been participating in the Lynden show for the past five years, as long as her business Le Gourmet Girl has existed.

“When I moved to this area, I didn’t want to go back to restaurants or catering but I still wanted to do something with food, so I got into this,” Wekking said. “It’s been awesome.”

She sells organic mixes for soups and curries and vegan substitutes for burgers, sausage and meatloaf in the form of lentils, oats and barley. Most mixes are vegan, with the option to add meat. Others are strictly vegan. A dried mushroom soup mix and a split pea soup mix have been two of her most popular products.

At the fall show, Wekking will have holiday baking extracts, such as coconut sugar and citrus sugar. Others will have ginger or vanilla added to them.

Everything will be delivered to the show in her electric car.

“We use eco-packaging; all our packaging is either bio-compostable or glass,” Wekking said. “We try to practice what we preach.”

Joan Carlin has been participating in the fall craft fair every year since it started in 1989. She sells vintage linens, aprons and table runners, which she makes.

Barb McAllister has been crafting for just as long. She stitches cotton and quilts to make witches, snowmen and Santas for the fall show.

The craft show is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, October 17-18, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. General admission is $6, $5 for seniors 60 and older and free for children 12 and under. Parking is free and the entrance fee allows attendees to return to the show after leaving.

For additional information about the upcoming event, visit lyndencraftantiqueshow.com.