Order Ahead

If you know you want to give Ruth & John's for Christmas, you can help yourself out by ordering in advance. Call or text Ruth at 618-559-6252, and let her know what you want (leave a message if she can't pick up and she'll get back to you right away). She can get your order ready and you can pick it up next weekend at the SIU Holiday Craft Sale. If you wait till the show to make your selections, we may be sold out of your favorite items. Not to worry, she can make more, but ordering ahead means you know we'll have what you want.

Holiday Craft Sale '18

It's coming!  The SIU Holiday Craft Sale!  We love this show, and look forward to it every year.  Come join us at the SIU Student Center Thursday, Nov. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 1.  We will be in our usual spot at the bottom of the escalator with a lot of new items, most of your old favorites, and, of course, dragon eggs.

Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

The shows keep on coming.  After a great show this past weekend at John A. Logan College, we're busily making new product to refill our shelves for the Arts and Crafts Extravaganza at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.  This annual event takes us a little farther afield than we usually go, but it's still close enough that you can come see us, as well many other artists you won't at other local shows.  This is a great opportunity to get out and knock off some of your holiday shopping.
 

 Annual Holiday Art Event
Christmas Arts & Crafts Extravaganza
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

November 17 - November 18, 2018

 

 And if you've not yet seen them, you've got to come out and take a look at our dragon eggs.  Yes, we have dragon egg soaps, just like you see in your favorite fantasy television show.  Fortunately for you, these dragon eggs do their magic in water rather than fire. 

So stop by this weekend and say hello.  We'll be looking for you.

AutumnFest 2018

One of the really good shows coming up this weekend; AutumnFest at John A. Logan College.  We've done this show almost as long as we've been doing shows, and it has consistently been one of the best.  Best in terms of the level of art to be found, best in the sheer number of people who come by, and best in the number of pieces that go home with our customers.  The year promises to be another great one, and we've been working hard to gear up for it.

 If you're a Game of Thrones fan (and who isn't?), you've got to stop by and see what a little special item we have.  I hate to sound immodest, but I think it's good enough to make Jon Snow smile.  And it's the perfect thing for the Khaleesi in your life.

So stop by and say hello.  We'll be looking for you!

Vulture Fest in Makanda, 2018

Coming up this weekend is one of the best events in Southern Illinois.  I'm speaking, of course, of Vulture Fest in Makanda.  This is, perhaps, the most Southern Illinois event we do, not in terms of geography, but in terms of culture.  This event draws a wide slice of people from all walks of life, and has what is probably the greatest variety of citizens of any other in the area.  If you enjoy people watching, this the place for you.

A recent email from the organizers informed us that vendors will not be able to set up in their usual places on the gravel parking lots.  I'm guessing that this is because of the railroad company.  This means I don't know where we will be set up, so you might have to look around a bit for us.  But I promise it will be worth the hunt.  We have lots of new items and some very special gifts for the people on your list.

Are you or one of your loved ones a Game of Thrones fan?  Yes?  Then you really need to stop by and see what we have for you.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but suffice it to say that

Christmas is Coming.

See you there.

Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake

We are returning to Rend Lake for our 14th year for the Wine and Art Festival.  We love this show and look forward to it every year.  It's been moved this time, both on the calendar and on the ground.  It used to be the fourth weekend in September, when it was often hot.  Now it's going to be this weekend, October 13 and 14.  And we're happy to report that it will return to the grounds of the Illinois Artisan Center.  This excites us because it means, among other things, indoor toilets (it's the little things).

We've got some exciting new products for you, on a weekend which promises to be cooler than in past years.  Come on out and try some wonderful Illinois wines, listen to some good music, and take a look at all the wonderful items which have been hand-made by local artisans.  We'll be looking for you.

Our Fall Schedule

Looks as if we have our fall season firmed up, and we wanted to share it with you.  Below is the general information about the shows we will be doing for the rest of the year.  Keep an eye here and on our Facebook page for more detailed information as the time for each event gets closer.

September 8

               Riverside Art Wine & BLUES Festival

               Riverside Park, Murphysboro, IL

Sept 14-15

               MurphysboroApple Festival

               Murphysboro, IL

October 13-14

               Wine andArt Festival at Rend Lake

               Artisan’s Center, Whittington, IL

October 20-21

               VultureFest

               Makanda, IL

November 3-4

               HeritageFestival

               Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg, IL

November 10-11

               AutumnFest

               John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

November 17-18

               Arts andCrafts Extravaganza

               Show-Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO

November, 29, 30, December 1

               HolidayCraft Sale

               SIU Student Center, Carbondale, IL