(This article appeared in the Daily Camera on Friday, July 31, 2009)
By Kerrie B. Badertscher, CPH – ASHS, Badertscher Horticulture
These ladies recycle almost everything! The community knows to donate items to the Guild so that they may be cleaned-up, recycled and re-styled into usable objects for your home. On one day - yes just one day per year - the Hilltop Guild conducts an annual bazaar reselling these crafts and art treasures back to the community. All of the proceeds go for scholarships that are awarded to graduates within the Allenspark,
This year some of the crafts include recycled art from old blue jeans that have been woven into beautiful throw rugs. Still other jeans become ladies' purses. Donated yarn and textiles from the community become elegant throws, crocheted toys, placemats, aprons, hot pads and many other usable objects. The Guild prides itself on elegant weaving from its many looms. Greeting cards have new life when remade into recycled cards. Even those ubiquitous green newspaper sacks are crocheted into beach bags and other types of carriers. This year, several types of holiday ornaments are made of recycled materials. Even dominoes become a piece of usable art. Donated remnants of cloth become fun and usable items for you and your home. In addition to shopping at the various craft and art booths, there is a silent auction and a raffle event. This year, the top item in the raffle includes a handmade cross-stitched quilt that is sure to become a family heirloom.
The annual bazaar does sell newly-made items. The active members (including some ladies in their 90’s) spend most of the year creating and donating home-crafted items including 144 embroidered dish towels. Each towel is different and like a gift from your Grandma! Some of the new items this year include a new line of decorated gourds and alpine trough gardens. There are holiday items, children’s' toys and clothes, all with a whimsical bent. Homemade candles, bath salts and soaps are also available.
Other items, such as books, useable household items and even some hidden old (perhaps even antique) articles find their way to the White Elephant. This is a garage sale where everyone can find a retro goody or two.
The annual bazaar, scheduled this year for Saturday, August 1st, is located on the grounds and in the donated Kelley House on Route 7 (South St. Vrain canyon), which the Hilltop Guild now owns and maintains. This historic log building provides a weekly meeting place for locals to gather and swap stories and jokes. In addition to maintaining the Kelley House, the Allen cabin site and the Bunce Schoolhouse are also part of the philanthropy for visitors to take in. On most Saturdays in the summer, the historic Bunce Schoolhouse is open and kids of all ages can visit a real old-fashioned schoolhouse. It will be open on August 1st during the bazaar next door.
Come up for the day, browse around and find a treasure or two that you cannot live without. It is worth the early morning drive to help out so many of our mountain neighbors. So now you are in the know about
Want to give beautiful, re-used items as holiday gifts this year? Check out the Hilltop Guild bazaar in Allenspark. You can also get quality re-used materials for pennies on the dollar at
