Handmade goods are hot items at Hinckley Holiday Market

by Chris Studor

More than 400 visitors strolled the aisles of the first Hinckley Holiday Market Dec. 4, which featured the work of local crafters and unique services by provided by local businesses.

The Valleaire Golf Club donated the space for the market, which was organized by Hinckley Trustee-elect Monique Marzullo-Ascherl who is renowned in Hinckley for her baked goods, including cake pops, cocoa bombs and more.

“I felt there was a need for a place for local crafters to be able to sell their goods, meet other crafters and bring the community together,” said Marzullo-Ascherl. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friend, and fellow Hinckley resident, Nikki Long. She was an inspiration every step of the way.”

As visitors entered the Holiday Market, the entrance table advertised a baked goods and gift card raffle made possible through donations from the following; Fosters, Hoppy Dudes, Southern Breeze, S & S Heating, Ascherl Studios, Minnehaha, Hillside Orchards and Buzzard Cove. Ascherl said much of the bakery at the baked goods table was the work of Hinckley resident Jeannie Hahn.

The raffle of baked goods, combined with donations of gift cards from local vendors, netted $1000 for the Hinckley Firefighters Association.

One of the first display tables showcased the knitted handiwork of Hinckley residents, Pat Ulsenheimer and her daughter, Jenny Austin who sold a soft array of teddy bears and other animals, along with winter hats. Ulsenheimer’s granddaughter, Megan Austin, sold several stickers she designed herself as a graphics student at Kent State University.

Along with crafts and other handmade items, Jillian Pelland featured a business display for the Wildflower Nature Play Program, a nature camp she operates in Sharon Center. As a licensed occupational therapist, Pelland says her camp provides children with an opportunity to play freely in nature “like we used to do in the good-old days.”

“Our farm setting offers children the chance to get dirty, try new things, enjoy running with goats, feeding horses, building forts and when in season, eating sugar snap peas right off the vine,” Pelland said.

Ohio Hygee, a new company with a Norwegian twist owned by Hinckley resident, Ginny Schneider and her business partner Erin Wittle, of Strongsville, also made its debut at the market.

“Norwegian people are considered the happiest people in the world,” said Schneider. “There’s a great deal of cold weather there, but instead of complaining about cold gray days, the Danish embrace the days of soft snow, the beauty of the forests and gathering friends together around a cozy fire with warm drinks and food.”

They term for this philosophy is hygee, a Danish word that means “well-being,” Schneider said.

Ohio Hygee offers mittens and scarves made from recycled sweaters and gift baskets ranging from a small, a single candle with a wood ornament, to larger baskets filled with mittens, wool-picked ornaments, candles and pancake mixes. The bagged pancake mixes are Wittle’s own recipe and come with cooking instructions.

Marzullo-Ascherl’s stand was popular with bakery lovers, as testified by Charlie Reichlt, of Hinckley.

“I am saving this one for later,” he said, holding a cake pop.

Homemade health products made by Hinckley residents Jen Leichter and Jennifer Johnson were also popular with the crowd.

Leichiter, of Made Fresh by Jen, whips of small batches of elderberry syrup at the kitchen at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Her elderberry wellness blend combines seven ingredients including honey, ginger and clove.

Jennifer Johnson, of Junebug and the Gypsy, offers a turmeric blend with coconut. Her roll-on scent, Thieve, is best applied to the wrist allowing those who wear it to inhale the scents of clove, cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus and lemons. She also makes intricate natural stone jewelry.

When asked their thoughts on the Hinckley Holiday Market, both had positive comments.

“I think people are starting to open up more to the idea of buying from local merchants and supporting the community,” said Leicliter.

Johnson agreed.

“I definitely think people are shifting away from big box stores and are looking for more hand-crafted items,” she said.

Christmas items students could give their teachers, made by Hinckley resident Teresa Miller, were also popular with the crowd. Among her offerings were clear Christmas tree ornaments filled with erasers, small pencils and pencil guards.

Long offered residents a Hinckley community calendar which are still available to those who contact her at ntlnupp@gmail.com.

The event was so successful that Marzullo-Ascherl plans to host another event next holiday season. ∞