If you still haven't found that unique gift for that special person, Dolores might be the place for you on Saturday.
Over 50 artists and crafters will descend on Dolores Dec. 6 for one of the biggest art/craft events of the year, when both the Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar and the Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will take place.
"A lot of people will come over and do all their Christmas Shopping in Dolores," said Ruby Gonzales, organizer of the Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar.
Gonzales said 50 vendors will be at the Dolores Community Center, including quilters, woodworkers, birdhouse makers, artists and jewelry makers. Handmade goodies, hats, Christmas decorations and so much more will be on display for purchase.
Also in the Dolores Community Center will be Dove Creek farmer-turned-artist Kyle Carhart.
He plans to haul up a lot of metal art, ranging from benches to sunflowers and wine racks.
Growing up as a dryland farmer in Dove Creek, Carhart said he was always the one to fix equipment with a welder. Soon he started to see cast-aside farm equipment as something more, and he began to repurpose it.
"The big sunflowers everyone likes. They are made out of old farm equipment," he said. "When I was 11 on the farm, we always made our own equipment. I got into welding then, and the art is just a different side of that."
This is the sixth or seventh year Carhart has been to the Dolores Christmas Bazaar, and he said he always has a good time. He said that they can take some custom orders too.
"The locals are great," he said.
Kyle and his family still farms 3,200 acres wheat, beans oats, sunflowers, safflowers, four different varieties of native seed in Dove Creek. He said the metal sculptures are a nice change of pace.
"It's a good break from building trailers and flat beds," he said.
Santiago Lopez of Dolores will also be at the Christmas Bazaar. He will bring his wreaths and Christmas decorations.
Lopez hasn't been to the Bazaar for three years. His wreathes typically sell fast.
Lopez said he suffers from arthritis and loves to craft, but it was also something his physical therapist told him to do.
"It helps keep my hands from getting stiff," he said.
Lopez said he is looking forward to the event.
"I enjoy the community involvement," he said. "I like sharing my crafting with others."
Gonzales said she is thankful for the Dolores High School FFA boys who come and help her set up all my tables. They also help take down the tables.
"I really appreciate those kids," she said.
Over at the Dolores River Brewery, don't miss Cocoa Euphoria chocolates by Mancos resident Kendra MacKenbach, Barbara Grist Photography and Jewelry, Jennifer Gurd with her Asian imports, Katalina Nichols with River Totem photography, Laurie Austin with her fabulous felted items, Mary Hess from the band Wake Up Laughing with her glass-blown items, Marilyn Kroeker with pottery, Amy Grogan with artistic print items and SongHaven Farm will have jams, jellies and handmade goats soap.
How to attend
Dolores Christmas Bazaar: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dolores Community Center. Door prizes. Proceeds go to the Dolores Community Center.
The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brewery, 100 S. Fourth St.
On the Web
CarhartCustoms.com
