Artist Ellie Wyeth Is One of Many Marking 40th Crafters’ Marketplace


CRAFTERS MARKETPLACES: Skillman artist Ellie Wyeth’s hand-painted floor cloths, like the one shown here, will be among a variety of pottery, glass, paintings, sculptures, and jewelry for sale at the Annual Crafters’ Marketplace this weekend at the John Witherspoon Middle School. Ms. Wyeth’s work will also be on view next weekend in the Covered Bridge Artisans 19th Annual Holiday Studio Tour in Lambertville, Stockton and Sergeantsville, For more information, call (609) 497-2100, or visit: www.ywcaprinceton.org and www.craftersmarketplace.org.
It’s hard to believe, but the YWCA’s annual Crafters’ Marketplace is now in its 40th year. This weekend on Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, November 24, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the John Witherspoon Middle School will be abuzz with creativity and shoppers bent on getting a jump on the upcoming holidays.
As usual, proceeds from the event will support the YWCA Princeton and its Bates Scholarship program, which enables those in the community who are economically disadvantaged to participate in a range of YWCA activities such as aquatics, arts, breast cancer resources, dance, early childhood education, after school programs, English as a second language, gymnastics, martial arts, newcomer and women’s networking groups, and summer camps.
Not only is the Crafters’ Marketplace a forum for buying and selling — it is also a juried show for upscale wearable art, pottery, glass, jewelry, and more — by skilled crafters whose reputations go well beyond the local.
Among the almost 100 artisans showing their work this year, is area resident Ellie Wyeth of Skillman. Ms. Wyeth has been making art for as long as she can remember, but this is only her second year participating in the Crafters’ Marketplace. “I’d known about it for years but until last year it conflicted with another event,” she said. “I loved taking part last year and did pretty well so I’m looking forward to going again. I’ve been in the Princeton area since 1981 and so I ran into lots of people I know.”
A distant relative of the famed Wyeths of Pennsylvania, the artist grew up surrounded by artistic relatives. Her mother taught art, her sister was a painter, as were several aunts and cousins. When her children were small, Ms. Wyeth’s creativity took a back seat to their needs. She worked around their school schedules. Now, she is able to devote herself to art full-time; including sales and commissions via her website (www.elliewyeth.com).
Her first ambition was to be a cartoonist and she studied humorous cartooning. After taking her degree, she went to Italy for an art residency in Umbria, which led to a five-year stint teaching there.
At this weekend’s Crafters’ Marketplace Ms. Wyeth will have a selection of floor cloths and other items for sale, including placemats that she says are a fun way to include art in the home. Like the floor cloths, this is art made to be used. “Sometimes people are loathe to put floor cloths down to walk on but they are very robust and I think that they look better with age. This is a tradition that goes back to the 1700s when floor cloths would be put down, sometimes nailed down, to keep out drafts and to add some interest. I created my own way of making them on gessoed canvas with a rubber non-skid backing and six layers of polyurethane protection. They can be mopped, even scrubbed,” said Ms. Wyeth, whose floor cloths run from between $45 and $55 a square foot; placemats are about $12 each.
For a complete listing of participating artisans, their work and their websites, visit the Crafters’ Marketplace website.
The Crafters’ Marketplace is at the John Witherspoon Middle School, 217 Walnut Lane. Admission is:$8 (adults); $6 (seniors over 62, under age 16); free (under age 6).
For more information, call (609) 497-2100, or visit: www.ywcaprinceton.org and www.craftersmarketplace.org.