One of the many things I love about Shire City Sanctuary's Holiday Shindy is wandering the aisles with my 10 year old son. The abandoned church has been 're-purposed' for the community. Each year it is brilliantly [and respectfully] transformed into a holiday festival of artisans and admirers, jam-packed with "good things made by good people". As my son soaks up the spirit, he mingles with friends and enjoys visiting with different vendors. I'm not the only one ogling beautiful objects. Allott spends A LOT of time looking through the "secret books" made by Michael Vincent Bushy and treats them like treasures for ever after. His collection is growing as he selects one very special book each year.
What makes the whole experience even more twinkly is that Michael Vincent Bushy takes the time to talk to my son about the techniques and tools he uses to make a wide variety of designs. It isn't a lecture. It's a gentle conversation that sprinkles a gift with meaning. This kind of interaction doesn't happen every day. I sure wish it did, but I suppose if it did, then the spell might be broken. This Christmas, bring your kids to some holiday markets in your neck of the woods and see what magic they get up to!
