Vulture Fest in Makanda

 Here it comes! This is one of the best things in Southern Illinois, Vulture Fest in Makanda!

We've been doing this show for some years now, and wouldn't miss it for anything. You shouldn't either. I tell people that if you do nothing else in Southern Illinois, you have to go to Vulture Fest. I don't have the words to tell you what makes this such a great time, but you will absolutely love your trip here.

We will be in the playground area behind the pavilion where the band is playing. Just go the the food trucks and head downhill to find us. We'll be looking for you!

Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake

 We are returning to Rend Lake this weekend for the Wine and Art Festival in Whittington, Illinois. We've done this show for many years, and we look forward to it. Stop by to see what we have this year, with all your favorite soaps and lotions, and many new woodworking pieces. It's never too early to start whittling down your gift list.

https://www.facebook.com/wineandartfestivalatrendlake

 

Magpie Market Days

  

We've got a big one coming up this weekend. John will have your favorite woodworking piece at Magpie Market Days in Marion, Illinois on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We've never done this show before, so we're looking forward to something different. Come on out and say hello!

https://www.facebook.com/events/25594468973586173/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surfa

 

Midwest Salute to the Arts

Coming up this weekend, The Midwest Salute to the Arts in Fairview Heights, IL. One hundred of the area's best artists will gather in Moody Park for the first big show of the season. John will be there with a huge selection of your favorite woodworking products, charcuterie and cutting boards, boxes, wine racks and accessories, cheese slicers, and some new items you haven't seen before.

This is a fantastic show, well worth the trip. We look forward to seeing you there.

https://midwestsalute.com/

#southernillinois #supportlocalbusiness #travelsoill #siuc #Southernillinoiseats #midwestliving #exploresouthernillinois #supportsmall #shoplocal #littleegypt #travellocal #shawneewinetrail #discover618 #southernillinoisnow

#charcuterieboard #wineracks

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New Dream Box

 

 Dream box, cherry with red and blue epoxy resin.

 

The Rest of the Year - 2026

We have a lot more shows coming up as we head in our busy reason. From now to the end of the year we will be constantly going to shows and preparing for the next ones. Here is a list of where we expect to be. As always, check back often for updated information and more specifics about each show as they get closer.

 

Aug. 28-30

Midwest Salute to the Arts, Fairview Heights, IL

 

Sept. 5-6

Faust Art Fair, Chesterfield, MO

 

Sept. 5

Harvest Festival, Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, IL

 

Sept.11-12

Murphysboro Apple Festival, Murphysboro, IL

 

Sept 11-13

Mosaics Fine Art Festival, St. Charles, MO

 

Sept 19-20

Arts in Central Park, Decatur, IL

 

Sept. 25-27

Magpie Market, Marion, IL

 

Oct. 3-4

Sugar Creek Arts Festival, Normal, IL

 

Oct. 10-11

Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake, Rend Lake Visitor's Center

 

Oct. 17-18

VultureFest, Makanda, IL

 

Nov.14-15

AutumnFest, Carterville, IL

 

Nov. 21-22

Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, Show-Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO

 

Nov. 28

Vendors in the Vines, Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, IL

 

Dec 3-5

Holiday Craft Sale, SIU Student Center, Carbondale, IL

 

Dec. 4-6

Very Merry Market, Marion, IL

 

Christkindl Market Big Muddy Brewery, Murphysboro, IL

Sleepy Creek Vineyards Art & Music Festival

We've got a new show (for us) coming up this weekend, the Sleepy Creek Vineyards Art & Music Festival at 8254 E. 1425 North Rd, Fairmount, IL. A little far from home, but it promises to be a great time. 5-9 on Friday, and 12-7 on Saturday. John will be there with lots of new wood items, ready for you or the people on your gift list. Stop by and say hello.

 

https://www.sleepycreekvineyards.com/general-info

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/973144702060359/?active_tab=discussion

 

Effingham Artisan Fair - Best of Wood

 

Guess what I got! 

 

 

This is me at last year's Effingham Artisan Fair. This is the first (but not the last!) time I won best of class at an art fair. I will be back there this weekend, Friday and Saturday at Tuscan Hills Winery in Effingham, Illinois. Stop by and see how this year goes!

 

Effingham Artisan Fair

 

 

 

 

Coming up this weekend, John will be at Tuscan Hills Winery in Effingham, Illinois, with all of your favorite woodworking pieces. Stop by for local wine, and check out our selection of charcuterie and cutting boards, boxes, cheese slicers, wine racks and accessories, and lots more.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1183346577320112/1251925693795533

Schedule Update

 

Here is some information on our next round of craft fairs and art shows. Coming up:

 

July 10-11 Effingham Artisan Fair

    Tuscan Hills Winery, Effingham, IL

 

July 24-25 Sleepy Creek Vineyards Art & Music Festival

    Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount, IL

 

Aug. 28-30 Midwest Salute to the Arts

    Moody Park, Fairview Heights, IL

 

Sept. 5-6 Faust Art Fair

    Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO

 

Sept. 25-27 Magpie Market

    Williamson County Fairgrounds, Marion, IL

 

Stay tuned for more detailed information as we get closer, and news of more shows as they get confirmed

 

In the meantime, products from one or both of us can be found at the following places:

 

276 Art Exchange, 142 W Lane St, Equality, IL

https://www.276art.org/

 

Branch Cafe & Market, 100 East Jackson Street, Carbondale, IL

https://www.branchcafeandmarket.com

 

Cristaudo’s, 209 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL

https://www.cristaudos.com/contact

 

Little Egypt Arts Association, 601 Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL

https://littleegyptarts.com/

Whimsy, Wingdings & Wares, 104 S Main St, Anna, IL

https://www.whimsywingdingswares.com/

 

Wildflower Wellness, 212 S University, Carbondale, IL

https://wildflowerwellness.pro/

Lowertown Arts and Music Festival

 I'm excited to be heading to Paducah, KY today for my first time at the Lowertown Arts and Music Festival. I'll have lots of new woodworking pieces just in time for Mother's Day. Stop by and join the fun!

 

Maple Syrup Festival at Touch of Nature

Coming up in Makanda, IL this weekend, the Maple Syrup Festival at Touch of Nature. The weather looks to be ideal for this annual event. We've got lots of new pieces for you to see (pictures coming soon). You can grab some breakfast, see how the maple syrup is made, and watch the lumberjack demonstrations. A great time for the whole family.

Spring Craft and Vendor Fair at Oakville High School

Those of you in the St. Louis area are cordially invited to join us at new (for us)event, the Spring Craft and Vendor Fair at Oakville High School. John will be there with you favorite woodworking items, charcuterie boards, cheese slicers, coasters, and those unique wine racks and accessories. Saturday and Sunday, Oakville High School
5557 Milburn Road, St. Louis, MO 63129.

 

Uh oh!

 

Uh oh. Don't know how well it shows here, but this tree has a big split in the middle of the trunk, and it stands right over our beehives. We moved our entire apiary out from under it after our tree guy came out and said it could fall any time. We heard it creaking, and he hurried to move his truck. With any luck, they'll be out Friday to take it down.

 

End of the Year

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to our shows this year, who purchased something from the stores we are in, or who put in a special order for us to fill. We've had a great season, and we couldn't have done it without you.

If there's something you still need, it's not too late. We still have items on hand, and would rather put them in your hands than into storage. Drop us a message and we will do our best to take care of you. In the meantime, Happy Holidays to one and all!

Chriskindl Market at Big Muddy Brewery in Murphysboro

We've got one more event coming up this season, one more opportunity to come out and take a look at our wares, one more chance to get the perfect gift your you loved ones (and maybe even for yourself as well).

We will be at Big Muddy Brewery in Murphysboro, IL, for their Christkindl Dinner on Friday starting at 4:00 and the Chriskindl Market on Saturday at noon. Join us for good beer, good shopping, and good times.

 

Whenever we have a show coming up we keep a sharp eye on the weather. This weekend promises to be the coldest we've had in quite a while. Why would you want to drink cold beer on a cold day? Watch the clip for the explanation from an expert.

 

 

SIU Holiday Craft Sale

Starting tomorrow, our biggest show of the year! Join us at the SIU Student Center for the annual Holiday Craft Sale, 3 days of great art and crafts. We will have lots of goodies for your holiday gift giving, and all sorts of stocking stuffers to round things out. Need presents for teachers, employees, clients? Stop by and let us help you find that special something. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, you can find us in our usual spot at the base of the escalators. Can't wait to see you! 

Three (or so) More Events this Year!

 

You still got three opportunities to whittle down your gift-shopping list with Ruth & John's. (Three, three-and-a-half, four...depends on how you count.)

 

Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 29 we will be at Alto Vineyards for Vendors in the Vines, their annual holiday celebration. It's a great chance to pick up gifts for your friends and loved ones while enjoying a glass or two of your favorite wine. Want something special? Pick up one of our wine racks and pair it with wine and logo glasses from Alto Vineyards, and give something you will never find in a big box store.

 

Next week, Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 4-6 beings the Holiday Craft Sale at the SIU Student Center. This is one of the best shows of the year, and you won't want to miss out.

 

Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 we will be at Big Muddy Brewing. Friday is https://www.facebook.com/events/4226412864305038 the Christkindl Dinner, with a meal prepared by The German Cook. Saturday (does this count as a separate event if we're in the same place?)https://www.facebook.com/events/1572913137404463 is the return of the Cristkindl Market at Big Muddy. We been a part of this for several years, and it's always a great time. Again, shopping with a drink in your hand is not the worst way to go about it!

 

We hope to see you at one or all of these events. Let us know which one(s) you'll be at.

Holiday Shopping Opportunities

 We're done with the outdoor shows for the season, and we head into the heart of the holiday shopping. Five more shows, five more opportunities to whittle down your gift list and maybe even pick up something for yourself!

AutumnFest
John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL
Nov. 8-9

Arts and Crafts Extravaganza
Show-Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
Nov. 22-23

Vendors in the Vines
Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, IL
Nov. 29

Holiday Craft Sale
SIU Student Center, Carbondale, IL
Dec. 4-6

Christkindl Market
Big Muddy Brewery, Murphysboro, IL
Dec. 13