Stissing House Craft Feast

December 17, 2024

This holiday season, if you come across a winter market or crafts fair where you live, try to attend and support the small businesses in your area - it's inspiring to meet the artisans and to learn about their specialties.

Over the weekend, I took a drive up to Stissing House for the second annual Holiday Craft Feast. Stissing House is a charming country restaurant in the historic town of Pine Plains, New York in Duchess County. For two days, Stissing House opened its doors to 50 collectors and craftspeople selling many collectibles and handmade items such as ceramics, baskets, wooden bowls, woven textiles, knits, etc. More than 1200 ticketed guests walked through the space and shopped. There were carolers, bagpipe players, jugglers, and lots of refreshments. It was a wonderful place to meet local entrepreneurs, shop for gifts, and celebrate the holidays.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Here I am with chef and proprietor, Clare de Boer. She took over Stissing House in 2022. The quaint country inn restaurant serves delicious, simple yet elegant fare. I’ve visited several times and enjoyed every dish. @clare.deboer

: The property was originally built in 1782 and housed a tavern, inn and America’s first domed ballroom. (Photo by Gabe Zimmer @catskillimage)

: This past weekend was Stissing House’s second annual Holiday Craft Feast. It was cold, but sunny – bagpipe players and jugglers from @madison_shulkin greeted guests as they arrived. (Photo by Gabe Zimmer @catskillimage)

: Inside, 50 collectors and artisans set up tables around the main dining room.

: There were visitors at all times through the two day event. (Photo by Gabe Zimmer @catskillimage)

: The oysters on ice were provided by @islandcreekoysters, a company that harvests oysters daily from Duxbury Bay in Massachusetts.

: Chef Clare served her famous ginger cake in bite sized pieces held in a five-foot long grapevine basket.

: Here’s the basket in the middle of the room. It was so nice to see such an enthusiastic group talking with talented artisans and entrepreneurs. (Photo by Gabe Zimmer @catskillimage)

: There was fresh butter from @ronnybrookfarm and sourdough bread from @sparrowbushbakery.

: Thee were lots of sweets to try including the quince jelly donuts from @_gazoz. If you’ve never tried a quince jelly donut, it adds a sweet and floral flavor to the dough.

: Here, @mgamwell uses her foraged, homemade black walnut ink for custom calligraphy gift tags.

: These are Wendy Jensen baskets – all handwoven in the Berkshires.

: Several tables showed beautiful ceramics. This one from @arc_ceramics.

: And look who else was there, Frances Palmer. I’ve known Frances for many years. @francespalmer has been in my magazine and on my television shows.

: Here are some of the wonderful wheel-thrown and hand-decorated pieces as well some from her manufactured Pearl Collection.

: Here’s a table of charming collectibles from Country Mouse @sarahjean_c and @cassandra_dawn.

: This collector’s table is set up by Warren Battle, co-owner of @battle_brown from nearby Hudson, New York.

: These are handwoven textiles from @hetchellhandwovens inspired by 19th century overshot, Bronson lace, and huck weaves and made on an 1800s century barn loom.

: @sawduststudioturnery sells these wooden bowls. The company is owned by food stylist and cookbook author Suzanne Lenzer and former IT specialist Ken Rath who create a limited range of home goods from only salvaged and reclaimed New England wood.

: These items are from @curioshop_ where they offer antique lighting, glassware, tableware, art, and other vintage objects reimagined and repurposed for today’s needs.