Sequim Farmers Market

July 25, Aug. 1

Open Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through October

Downtown Sequim at Sequim Avenue and Washington Street

Contacts: www.sequimmarket.com;  manager@sequimmarket.com; 460-2668

What’s new at the market is the story of a vendor who began her sales almost 30 years ago.

Though it may be more true to say that Ruthann Toney of Pacific Northwest Naturals truly began her career as a vendor when she was a small child who loved to set up and play store. “Now I get to do that every Saturday at the market,” she said.

Ruthann started out selling cut flower bouquets and perennial plants in the parking lot of the Sequim Catholic church back in 1985 at what was called “Sequim’s Original Farmers Market” which was an “early bird market” as it was open from 6-9 a.m. Ruthann would participate in the market before heading to her day job at a craft store.

She had taken a Master Gardener course and was hooked on growing. She started to learn propagation, which she said, “opened a cornucopia of plant fun!” She moved over to the Open Aire Market in 2000, when her new boss would give her Saturdays off.

Since she joined, Ruthann has contributed much more than her Saturdays to making our market succeed. She spent seven years on the board and contributed to the efforts of many market committees. We also have her to thank for our iconic flags — she was both the inspiration and the seamstress for the first set of flags waving on the market booths.

With a passion for plants, she grows a variety of perennials and succulents that she sells as plants for your garden. She also has dried flowers, including beautiful bundles of lavender. Her booth is eclectic, expressing her passion for nature. She has sold rocks, fossils, sea shells and other sorts of natural items. She says, “All of this is a passion gone amok!”

Her most recent additions to the booth are her handmade Slinkyware jewelry, which is made of wire that she winds and transforms into jewelry. “Each piece is an original unique design,” she noted, some of which have stones set along with them. She also has “Cozy Legs” and “Cozy Arms” which are repurposed sweaters made into leg warmers and arm warmers.

Finally, she has the product of the hour, lavender! Ruthann has been growing lavender and making lavender products since she came to Sequim. She has bundles of lavender, sachets, little pillows and wands.

When I asked what she likes about the market, she tells me, “I love everything about the market, I love the people, being outdoors, being at the market is my favorite way to vend.”

The live music on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2-p.m., on July 25 will be the amazing Sequimarimba and on Aug. 1 the fabulous Cat’s Meow Jazz Band.

In the Suzanne Arnold Community Booths on July 25 you can learn about Sequim’s Dog Park and the upcoming Alzheimer Walk.