Craft vendors wanted for upcoming Holiday Maker Market

Photo: G.C./Pixabay

URBANA – The CU Community Fab Lab will host its 4th annual Holiday Maker Market from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The Fab Lab is now accepting applications from craftmakers and artists for booths at this year’s market. Whether you are a veteran artist or just starting out, the Holiday Maker Market is an opportunity for local craft makers to sell one-of-a-kind gifts, customizable ornaments, and other handmade goods.

The market prides itself on offering a wide variety of art styles, crafting mediums, and unique gifts at different price points, making a visit to the holiday event fun and festive for all. The products offered must be crafted, made, or designed by the artisans, who will be selected through the application process.

Applications for vendor booths are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11. All applications will be reviewed, and vendors will be selected by Nov. 1. You can apply online here.

Proceeds from booth fees and Fab Lab sales benefit the Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. All proceeds generated from Fab Lab goods directly support local youth and families by removing financial barriers to attend the lab’s summer camp programs. Last year, the Fab Lab provided $2,200 in scholarship funds to kids in the community.

For more information, contact the Community Fab Lab at communityfablab@gmail.com or call (217) 265-5342.


3 awesome SMART ideas for holiday gifts this year

Photo: StatePoint

StatePoint Media - The holiday season is the perfect time of year to upgrade the kitchens of home chefs with the latest tech and tools. Here are three cool holiday gift ideas that will elevate the way your loved ones cook, host and clean up.

Smarter Composting

According to a recent report, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world, equating to 325 pounds of waste per person annually, with nearly half this waste generated in home kitchens. Whether you’re shopping for someone living in a region with mandatory composting or simply someone striving to be more sustainable at home, you can now gift them an effective solution to this issue.

While many people are aware of the environmental benefits of composting, such as reducing food waste, diverting trash from landfills and enriching garden soil, composting has also garnered a reputation for being time-consuming, messy and emitting unpleasant odors. Fortunately, new technology is addressing these challenges, making composting a convenient, clean and odor-free process for any household kitchen.

The THINKWARE BLUEVENT MUMU is the world’s first AI-powered smart food composter to use a new cutting-edge Metal Organic Framework (MOF) to block and inhibit the propagation of fungi to ensure clean and harmless use. Smart technology automatically measures food waste by weight then automates the disposal process accordingly. Additionally, AI storage automatically monitors food temperature and humidity to prevent spoilage. In summary, it eliminates the need for guesswork, leading to more successful composting. With a powerful, triple-activated carbon eco filter, this 4-liter capacity composter is odorless and whisper-quiet at just 20 decibels. It is now available at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, eBay.com, Newegg.com and Thinkwarestore.com.

Sparkling Water on Demand

One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, according to Giving Compass. Unfortunately, the majority of them never get recycled. Help your loved one reduce their own contribution to this growing problem and bestow upon them an endless supply of carbonated beverages with a sparkling water maker. With a slim countertop profile, they’ll be able to transform tap water into seltzer in just few easy steps. This gift is great for mixologists who love to make and batch fizzy mocktails and cocktails for parties, as well as anyone with a thirst for reducing plastic waste.

Precision Cooking

Today’s kitchen scales don’t just simply weigh ingredients for precision cooking and baking, they also connect to smartphone apps for real-time nutritional analysis, recipe inspiration and instruction, and more. The best models ping the user’s device when they’ve added the correct amount of a given ingredient, easily toggle between different units of measurement, and allow users to save and share recipes via the app. This makes for a great gift for beginner cooks who want to get a feel for measurements, expert bakers looking for better results, those focused on portion control in the New Year, and anyone looking to optimize food prep.

By putting game-changing smart kitchen appliances at the top of your holiday shopping list, you can brighten the season for home chefs.


It's back, the German Christmas Market returns to Riggs

Last week, Riggs Beer Company announced the brewery will host its second annual German Christmas Market. This November would have been the third installment had it not been for the state's Covid-19 mitigations mandates.

The market will host local vendors who will be selling homemade candles, local honey, decorative holiday wreaths, beer soap, and more from huts surrounding the beer garden. There will also be traditional German cuisine such as bratwurst, crepes, potato pancakes and warm drinks - hot spiced wine and hot cocoa - in addition to Riggs award-winning beer.

The market will be open on Thursday and Fridays from 4 to 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 7 pm.

Riggs Beer Company is located at 1901 S. High Cross Road in Urbana. For more information call (217) 718-5345.

Sentinel holiday gift ideas for the 2020 Christmas season

Still shopping for that ideal gift this holiday season? A couple of weeks ago we asked a number of area merchants and artists for cool gift ideas for our readers. Discover unique Christmas presents that you haven't thought of yet from our list below.

The great thing about our guide is you can avoid the crowds and shop online! One of these items could be the perfect present for someone on your Christmas list!




Gifts Women & Girls Will Love

Handmade Beaded Cowl

Woven it by hand and with hand-twisted the fringe by artist Leann Gehm, this charcoal, lavender, silver & white cowl with glass beads in the fringe for extra sparkle. Her teardrop-shaped cowls are easy to wear, just put the seam towards your body and slip the cowl over your head, adjust the fringe. Made from renewable wood pulp fiber, its luxurious silky soft feel and lustrous sheen is an absolutely elegant.
Retail Price: $76
Available exclusively from
Miranda's Loom


Gifts for Everyone

Silver Bar Studs

Made in Peru with love, these are the perfect everyday stud in a modern geometric silhouette. Never worry about an accessory mismatch when you put on this endlessly wearable pair.
Retail Price: $38
Available from Noonday Collection
Amber Anderson, Independent Ambassador


Gifts Women & Girls Will Love

Let It Glow Gift Set

The ultimate gift of glow! Give smooth, hydrated + healthier-looking skin using our Hyaluronic Acid serum for a 200% hydration boost paired with our sugar + salt scrub for all-over exfoliation. Limited-edition.
Retail Price: $195
Sale Price: $139
Available from Rodan and Fields
Consultant Johanna Burke


Gifts Women & Girls Will Love

Luis Lopez Angel Wire Art

Custom Jewelry

Give a beautiful one-of-the-kind piece from Luis López who specializes in handmade wire jewelry and three-dimensional sculptures. Featured is a green Tourmaline gemstone pendant wrapped in gold wire.
Retail Price: $120
Luis López
Angel Wire Art


A great gift for anyone
Private Photography Instruction
This fun, five-week introductory course with veteran news photographer Clark Brooks will cover the basic information and techniques for 35mm and digital SLR photography. Go from taking snapshots to visually stunning photos in weeks.
Retail Price: $65




Publisher's note: One of the great things about an online gift guide is it can be updated regularly. Point your browser to this page regularly to check for the latest deals and ideals from The Sentinel area. If you are a local merchant or artist and would like to have your product or art piece featured here, it's not too late. Email us at editor@oursentinel.com for details.

Still holiday shopping? Seven 2019 gift ideas from Bohemia

If you are still looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy-for-person on your Christmas list, Bohemia in downtown Urbana may have just what you need.

Packed full of unique jewelry, candles, stylish clothing, vintage and custom-made furniture as well as other unique handcrafted items, there's plenty to choose from for the special someone with a unique sense of style or flair for the eclectic.

Partial to vintage decor? Repurposed or refurbished, there is an abundant selection of vintage furniture waiting for a new home. From funky to functional, Bohemia also has candles as well as handmade soaps and lotions for stocking stuffers.

The Sentinel asked owner Milea Hayes for a couple of gift ideas for this Christmas from her store. She came up with the seven fabulous items featured below.


1.
Jewelry
You can't go wrong with a beautiful ring or bracelet. Wear a new necklace or pennant to your New Year's Eve party or better yet, something completely new. Bohemia currently represents 11 artists whose work is priced from $32 and up.

2.
Soap, lotion and candles
and more ...

Enjoy local made soaps and lotions. Try a new lip balms. These along with candles and note pads all make great stocking stuffers.

Prices range between $3 and $14


3.

Reconditioned seafoam dresser
$425

Oil paintings
Starting at $125

Vintage end table lamps
$215


4. & 5.
Clothing
Left: There's plenty of distinctive hand-painted tees and onesies by artist Mollie Youngblood. Prices range from $21 to $28. Right: Boutique clothing, long scarves, warm hats and gloves are always a unique find at Bohemia. Create a style of your own or complete an ensemble you already have. Quality clothing priced from $42 to $225.


6.
Holiday Sweaters
Warm and cheerful holiday sweaters priced between $68 and $92.



7.
Home Furnishings
Enjoy this reupholstered with an army blanket and added leather trim. A classy addition to your office or den, this cane chair was revitalized by interior designer Angie Taylor. Chair and adorning pillow $285.

Bohemia, located at 135 West Main in Urbana, is open Monday through Friday from 10am - 6pm, Saturday from 10am - 5pm, and on Sundays open from 11am - 3pm. Call ahead for extended holiday hours.




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