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Farmer's Market Corner
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It’s been a couple weeks since I purchased a magnesite sideways cross bracelet from Jennifer Lynn Loper, jewelry designer, mixed media artist, Reiki master, and proprietor of Zen Living Arts, a mindful accessories business.
Loper’s work is creating accessories that assist the wearer to be more intentional, focused, and present. We met at the Seaside Farmer’s Market, which happens this summer every Wednesday through September 25 at the Broadway Middle School from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Among Loper’s collection of handcrafted wares are wire-wrapped necklaces, Mala beads, and beaded bracelets. She loves working with crystals and gemstones, not just because they are beautiful, but because of their powerful effects.
“Their energy resonates with yours and your vibration changes,” Loper said. Depending on which stone or crystal you choose, you can feel more grounded, or protected or, if you’re so inclined, invite abundance.
Mala beads are mostly used for setting intention. They are the latest fashion trend with the yoga set, and their origins can be traced back to the birthplace of yoga, which is to say the foothills of the Himalayas along the sacred Ganges.
Loper is a full time vendor not just at the Seaside Farmer’s Market, but the Astoria Sunday Market as well.
“This is my second year in Seaside and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” she said. “I’ve connected with so many beautiful souls, forged so many new friendships, and discovered so much about myself. Angi Wildt and the other vendors have been so generous with their help and advice, and made a newbie feel very welcome.”
I am a certified Reiki Master myself, trained in the Usui method. This might be a good time for me to say that ever since I started wearing the magnesite sideways cross bracelet, I’ve had some striking conversations. It’s an old joke in my household how I will talk to anybody and that anybody will talk to me, but ever since I started wearing this bracelet, my experiences have shot to a whole new level. These are not just random conversations. Don’t ask me how or why, but within moments, things get … deep.
“My business isn’t just about making things, it’s about making a difference,” Loper said. “The essence of Zen living is making the most of your life: noticing it, appreciating it, understanding it, and even becoming a master in the art of living fully.”
Because of the nature of the conversations apparently inspired by my bracelet, I did a little research into the meaning of the sideways (or horizontal) cross.
Ross Simons, one of the largest online jewelry retailers, says the sideways cross is a modern take on the traditional symbol of faith. For many, it’s simply a fashion statement. Poking around on line, I discovered a fair amount of documentation the sideways cross been embraced by evangelicals. My personal feeling about the matter falls somewhere in between; in any case, I love how well the bracelet looks added to my existing stack.
Next time you’re at the Seaside Farmer’s Market, check out Zen Living Arts. Jen Loper is happy to help you find a meaningful accessory that might just change your life. Or visit her store online at www.zenlivingarts.com.
Fresh Picked by Cara Mico
A month into the Seaside Farmers Market, visitors to the weekly event at the Broadway Middle School parking lot are finding more options than ever.
About half of the market visitors are locals coming for fresh-picked vegetables and farm goods, while the other half are tourists who tend to visit the craft stands more frequently, said market manager Angi Wildt.
About 1,000 people daily attend the market, according to Wildt.
With more than 50 vendors, the market offers fresh, local produce and artisan crafts, as well as Oaxacan-style delicacies from the Monte Alban food truck and smoked salmon chowder by Dan Delay.
There are plenty of treats for everyone at the 2019 market including spicy jams, doughnuts, fresh lettuce, cut polished stones and CBD honey, to name a few.
Mother's helper
Emi Turpin helps out at the SeMe Family Foods booth every week.
Melissa Turpin of SeMe Family Foods has been vending at the Seaside market for three years. She and her three sisters craft and sell delectable macaron cookies in lavender, strawberry, lemon, chocolate and hazelnut.
Glory B!
Chloe Zimmerman of Glory B Farms prepares for Seaside Farmers Market.
Chloe Zimmerman of Glory B Farm has been at most of the markets in the last five years, when she isn’t in session at Yale University, selling luscious seasonal produce from her family farm in Washington. T Bee S, CBD honey vendor sells a specialty product with royal bee jelly.
Very berry
Freshly picked berries from Maria and Domnica of A & B Berries.
But it’s hard for Wildt to pick a favorite.
“Some days I’m the mood for fudge, some days I’m in the mood for gelato. One of my favorite things is to get fresh produce at the market,” said Wildt.
Wildt’s experience with the local farmers markets circuit comes as a vendor for the Nehalem Bay Winery where she worked for several years. But she attributed her love of markets to the first time she went to an outdoor market when she was stationed overseas in Spain. It sparked a lifelong love affair with outdoor vending.
Wildt, who was hired by Sunset Park and Recreation District three years ago, is particularly excited about the live music performances, including Robby Mayer who will be playing on July 31. Musicians play for most of the market. A calendar of performers can be found at www.seasidemarket.org.
The music series is supported from sponsorships from Knife River, Quackenbush Builders and the U Street Pub and Eatery.
This is the eighth year of the Seaside Farmers Market, which started with fewer than 15 vendors and grew to what it is today. Wildt doesn’t plan on growing the size of the market substantially.
“If we go too much more than that we won’t have enough parking,” said Wildt,
The market runs from 2 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday until Sept. 25.k
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