Chelsea's 'All the Trimmings' Art Show Set for Dec. 1

Submitted by Marlene Dusbiber

The sixth annual "All the Trimmings" holiday art show will take place Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chelsea Fairgrounds, 20501 West Old US-12.

The event will be held in conjunction with Chelsea’s Hometown Holidays, and is organized by residents Susan Ogden and Marlene Dusbiber.

This year’s show features two new artists from the community that re-purpose old products into new items. The inspiration to fashion a piece of discarded artwork or clothing into a new piece of art has grown over the past six years.

New this year, Rebecca Burford fashions handmade and one-of-a-kind clothing from recycled fabrics and vintage buttons. She is a self-taught designer, pattern maker, seamstress and artist. Each item is made with painstaking detail and quality, ensuring beautiful handmade apparel.

Jim Burnett, who has retired in Chelsea, was taught chair caning by his father and has continued for over 60 years. He visits re-sale shops for sturdy chairs that need re-caning and brings them back to life. In addition to the chairs, he also weaves footstools and baskets.

The returning artisans that also re-purpose material include Jan Schmidt’s jewelry with vintage pieces and arrangements with small antique, Chris Purcell’s pillows, clothing, and felted sweater art, Pat Simonelli’s handmade bears, Deb Kureth’s jewelry, Sally Keene’s mittens, Marlene Dusbiber’s woodcarvings’ wall mounts or pedestals. Antiques by Bittersweet Farm and cast iron cookware sold by Doug Stevens are given a second life.

Other artisans are Susan Ogden, pastels and Christmas houses; Christy Hansen of Hoola Jewelry; Merkel Garden’s fresh greens; Sandra Somers, folk painting; Lawrence Ogden, counted cross-stitch birds; and Kris Miller, rug hooking.