Johnsonville Mayor Steve Dukes cuts the ribbon for the opening day of the Artisan Outpost.

…waiting… wondering… hoping… and praying…

All of the above and more have filled the many anxious moments between the June meeting of the Johnsonville City Council when she was given the go ahead, and July 13, for Jackie Stasney, the chief organizer and visionary for the Artisan Outpost.  July 13 was the fulfillment of a year-long dream.

Obviously her dreaming has paid off, because in about 30 short days Jackie with the help of a few cohorts like Jane Madden, and Mona Dukes, were able to get the building ready for the public, publicize the event, as well as locate and bring in 27 vendors from Johnsonville, Hemingway and the surrounding communities, including two from Myrtle Beach and one from as far as Camden.

The artists, craftsmen, and other vendors were also eagerly waiting, wondering, hoping, and praying… This was the first event of the Artisan Outpost. Would the people come? Everyone’s fears subsided as the people showed up beyond their expectations. Jackie and her husband attempted to count the guests and are confident there were more than 300 visitors.

The Artisan Outpost enjoyed a steady stream of shoppers.

Guests enjoyed an impressive variety of handcrafts. Jackie Stasney displayed her handcrafted gemstone jewelry. Leslie Belflower brought paintings and handpainted items including plaques and gourds. Pat Singletary displayed her unique one stroke painting craft items. Jane Madden brought beautiful silk scarves; Jim Gleason displayed his unique wind instrument sculptures; and Chrissy Smith brought hand woven jewelry.

Tom Stasney brought old fashioned Williamsburg apple tree forms. Janice Green displayed Bible quilts and sold Bible storybooks she wrote. Marvin Russ brought produce and his own sugar cane syrup processed on his farm in Coward. Sally Haynes brought herbs and Barb Matthews brought plants.

Lavonia Olsen displayed crocheted scarves while Sherise Jackell brought her specialty – gourmet homemade dog treats. Debbie Hanna brought a spread of baked goods. Joyce McDaniel brought colorful baskets she made from rolled magazine pages. Alexe Miles displayed a wide assortment of metal and wooden signs. Ron Stephan brought several plaques and entertained us by playing a dulcimer he crafted from wood.

Sherry Salazer brought an assortment of handcrafts including plaques and grocery bag holders; Rev. John Cribb brought prints of his watercolor paintings – “Memories of a Sandlapper” and “Memories of a Tarheel.” Dianne Moen brought a wide variety of home-canned goodies; Taylor Burkett brought painted birdhouses and plaques; and Stephanie Gore brought wreaths. Ed Polumbo brought wooden trays and items, mostly made from recycled wood. Becky Ratz brought handmade soap; Fred Riales brought art made from seashells and paintings. Mary Lynn Hope brought hand painted glass, pillows, and lampshades.

Taking chances on the weather, which turned out to be beautiful, Meck Hartfield set up outdoors to demonstrate his blacksmith skills and display his wares. And Terry Owens served delicious chicken bog in a cup from his booth under a tent.

Customers went home with newfound treasures. Sales were good, and while it is doubtful any vendors struck it rich at the Artisan Outpost, venders left with a good feeling about the event and were making plans to return on August 3 for the next Artisan Outpost day.

“I am amazed and grateful for the support from our community for our first event,” Jackie reflected when it was all over. “This has been a dream of mine for about a year now and to see it come true is humbling. It was a wonderful mix of talented people in one place. I was just amazed at the turnout of people….I didn’t think we would draw that large of a crowd with such a short time to get the word out,”

For more information, please contact Jackie Stasney at 843.621.1751 or visit the Artisan Outpost Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/artisanoutpostjohnsonvillesc

Janice Green’s quilts are the pictures in her Bible storybooks.

Dianne Moen’s canned goods

Meck Hartfield demonstrates his blacksmith skills.

Becky Ratz showing one of her molded homemade soaps.

Joyce McDaniel and her husband with their display of bowls made from folded magazine pages.

Jim Gleason with his sculptures made from musical instrument parts.

John Cribb with his watercolor prints.