Delivery trucks pull into our driveways ever more frequently, in this mail-order world where everything imaginable is only a click away as we sit in the comfort of our homes and wait for a package to arrive on the doorstep.

With commodities so accessible and produced in such quantities, the real challenge these days is finding something that is truly unique, that stands out as one-of-a-kind, with the warmth and character of something that is created by two hands and inspiration.

The Sequim Farmers Market is home to an incredible diversity of artisans who are skilled in their trade, and create products by their own hand from new, natural, or up-cycled materials. All of the vendors at our market are subject to a jury process, which maintains a high standard of quality, assures products are handmade and creates a varied selection of products for people who visit the market.

You will not find any commercial, imported, and second-hand items at the Sequim Farmers Market. The products available are evaluated for handcraftsmanship, artistic design, originality, and quality.

The truly unique opportunity for those who visit the Sequim Farmers Market is presented by the fact that every artisan vendor you see is the very person who has crafted what they have for sale. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, almost every artisan vendor at the market is able to fill custom orders.

If you strike up a conversation with a vendor at the market, you will find that not only are they a wealth of information about their products, but are genuinely interested to hear what you are looking for, and how they might be able to meet your needs: a custom accent for your home, functional artwork, tastefully incorporating a family heirloom into a work of art, or a gift with a personalized accent that tells someone that it was made especially for them.

New at the market this year is the Fat Quarter Quilt Studio, and they offer much more than quilts for sale! Though you are able to purchase the brilliant quilts on display that Tom and Diana Gutridge make at their home-based quilt studio just east of Port Angeles, the heart of their business is in the services that they offer.

The Fat Quarter Quilt Studio currently offers long arm quilting services and sewing machine servicing, repair and restoration. Personalized quilting and sewing classes are offered on an individual or small group basis as requested. The Studio also houses a commercial embroidery machine to provide custom embroidery services.

While Tom happily services all makes and models of sewing machines, sergers and long arm machines, his passion is keeping the older, stronger, quality built machines in peak operating condition. If you have an heirloom machine that’s been in the family for years, he can restore it to its former glory!

Diana is the long arm quilter and offers her services to help customers turn their quilt tops into finished quilts! Her goal is to offer quality service at a fair price and she is always available to discuss your quilting needs!

They love to talk about anything quilting, so stop by the Sequim Farmers Market to visit on Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

This Saturday is Senior Appreciation Day at the Sequim Farmers Market. Visit the market booth to receive a $2 coupon which can be redeemed when you purchase from any vendor at the market!

Coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Senior Appreciation Days will continue monthly at the Sequim Farmers Market: July 14, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20. This event is made possible with support from Park View Villas.

A special thanks to Bell & Davis Law, Brokers Group Real Estate, and First Federal Savings & Loan.

Elli Rose is the Sequim Farmers Market manager. Contact her at manager@sequimmarket.com or 360-582-6218, or see www.sequimmarket.com.