Kris Kringle would be wise to shop Southdown Marketplace

A beautifully wrapped present crowned with spirals of gold ribbon sits under the Christmas tree. The unknowing recipient carefully opens the package only to discover … a pair of gray, wool socks.

The gift-giver should have stopped by the Southdown Marketplace Arts and Crafts Festival in Houma. With more than 300 vendor booths full of unique and homemade items and artwork, finding the perfect present is inevitable.

Jewelry, clothing, woodcrafts, furniture, pottery, paintings, photography, toys, metalwork, seasonal decorations, candles, bath and body goods, gourmet food products, books by local authors, and home-grown plants and flowers are just some of the Marketplace items ready to be bought, boxed, wrapped and bowed.

This popular November event often trumps its bi-annual cousin in attendance due to the encroaching holiday season, according to Katie LeCompte, executive director of Southdown Plantation.

“We usually have at least 1,000 more people come in the fall and I think it is due to Christmas shopping and a lot of our vendors this year are going to have Christmas items,” she said. “It is great to come and not only find decorations for Christmas but to find a really unique gift.”

Looking for a child’s present? Some popular repeat vendors include Pamela Desadier, owner of Lollipop Kids, who makes hand-painted art and clothes for children, and Joe and Laurie Hall, who construct art and swings out of recycled tires.

Any mom would love a silk scarf designed by Helen Reese or a hand-poured and painted soap created by Wendy Gibson of Crescent City Soap, both of whom are newcomers to the event.

Stained and fused glass windows created by artist Robert Stentz of Lacombe, La., are also new items to be sold at the November show. The Bayou Art Glass owner, who has worked with stained glass for over 13 years and fused glass for a little over three years, will occupy booth number 230A.

“I first became interested in stained glass because I wanted to build a door for a home I was building,” Stentz said. “From that one door, a career was formed. I fell in love with design and construction of panels and have just progressed from there. My interest has evolved into doing work ranging from individual small panels to larger commissioned works designed for specific clients.”

Due to the size and fragility of the larger glass panels, Stentz plans to bring his smaller pieces to sell at his Marketplace booth; however, pictures of some of his bigger works will be available for viewing. His prices vary depending on the size and intricacy of the piece.

“I attempt to keep my prices in this type of show between $7 and $50 but some of the individual leaded glass panels run higher than that. I believe that the most expensive panel I will show will be in the vicinity of $150,” the artist explained. “I think that people who are in the market for handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts or personal items that are reasonably priced should stop and see me.”

With vendor entry requests outnumbering the available spaces each year, the selection process as to which artist should receive a coveted spot in the show is just that … a process.

“We first take a look at our returning vendors and they have a certain deadline. As long as all of their products are the same, we go ahead and put them through,” explained LeCompte. “Then we do their request, like if they would like to move to a different spot … then we start with new vendors.”

Southdown Marketplace is a juried show and therefore interested vendors must submit photographs of their work and the proper paperwork in order to be considered. The most important criteria that they look for, according to LeCompte, is that the items are handmade or, if not, that they have been altered enough to be considered one-of-a-kind or creative.

“We really like unique vendors that have something that you don’t see often,” the director said. “We like a lot of artwork because everyone’s artwork will be different.”

Stentz first heard about the bi-annual Houma event from a fellow artist at the Art Market of New Orleans. After entering, he was quickly accepted into the show.

“I like Southdown because it is a juried show,” Stentz remarked. “I like that you must submit photographs of your work and be accepted into the show.”

In addition to the multitude of vendors, the festival, which is sponsored by Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society Inc., will feature the popular Cajun Food Court, discounted museum tours and a new “Kids’ Marketplace on ‘da Bayou.”

“We have been thinking about doing some kids’ activities and we didn’t exactly know where to jump in,” LeCompte said. “Thankfully, one of our board members, Lee Shaffer, is also on the Kids in Motion Museum board and he thought it would be really great if they could come in and help us with it.”

The new children’s area at Southdown Marketplace will feature arts and crafts, a market and cooking exhibit, storyteller, puppet show, a giant bubble factory, petting zoo, pony rides and more, so bring a few extra dollars for the kiddies.

“This is very new for us,” exclaimed LeCompte.

“We are very excited to partner with Kids in Motion Playhouse Discovery Museum to bring this new element to Southdown Marketplace. The kid activities add to our already family-friendly environment. We hope it will be something both kids and parents enjoy,” she added.

The Marketplace is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 per adult, and children under 12 are admitted free.

According to LeCompte, all proceeds go to the exhibits, programs and daily operations of the Southdown Plantation.

“We do tours and sell at the gift shop and little things, but Marketplace is the real reason that Southdown is able to stay open year round,” she said.

The event is located at 1208 Museum Drive and free shuttle transportation is available for those who park at the civic center.

For more information call (985) 851-0154 or email info@southdownmuseum.org.