Saturday was the second annual Saluda Arts Festival. 
We actually live several miles out of Saluda, NC, but we love our historic hometown. It was a beautiful day, not too warm, not too chilly; and a deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
There were over 50 artists and crafters who set up tents around town.
We went to town after lunch and found a parking place at the Post Office. We spent the next several hours walking around wandering through the arts and crafts tents and visiting our favorite local stores. Saluda has some wonderful art, antique,and gift shops.
Actually, I was the one who did most of the store shopping. My husband is not a shopper, but he enjoyed the spring air sitting on the town benches while I went into my favorite shops.
I had been saving my spending money for this event and was delighted with the treasures I brought home. 
Some of them will be given as gifts for birthdays or Christmas, and some were for me to add to my various and sundry collections.
My purchases from the artists and crafters included:
*A calendar with watercolor pictures by a local artists, a set of Saluda notecards, pink dogwood notecards, 
and a card with a quote from Alice in Wonderland, "There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. "when I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll
*A cute handmade purse in blues for $6.00. 
*Jewelry 
including earrings, bracelet and a cute silver cat pin.
*A watercolor wash art gourd 
-- this was actually bought for me by my husband because he knew I wanted it.
My purchases from the local shops included:
*Two antique cake pans 
(one of many things I collect) which were a bargain at $3.95 and $3.25.
*An antique basket with knobs for hanging for $5.00. 
*A navy blue antique hat 
to add to my "hat wall" in guest bedroom
and an antique blue hat box. 
I did not need another hat box, but I could not resist the color and both hat and box were bargains.
*From the garden shop, 
a tiny antique frog and a cobalt blue jelly jar with frog top, plus plants, including a pretty Columbine to add to the Columbine garden and a pink climbing hydrangea.
*An antique cobalt blue bottle 
(another thing I collect), but this one was different from any I have ever seen. Molded into the glass are the words: "Hospital Size For Hospital Use Only."
*A brass bird with nest 
candle holder similar to one I bought as a gift for a friend.
*A Mary Anne Radmacher-Hershey print as a gift for my husband that says: "In the cold you wrap me. In my uncertainty you listen. In all my joys you celebrate. At every turn you meet me with competence and grace. What a fine dance we have together."
The joy of walking around our historic town admiring art and supporting the local economy on a beautiful spring day was a fine dance indeed. . . . an extraordinary, ordinary day.
AND I am so pleased to say I am the friend who was gifted with and loves the similar brass bird and nest candle holder :-) What a nice day and great finds. And yes you did need that hat box !!! haha. Great hat for your hat wall, and loved both the frogs too. Your present from your DH is beautifully created, what a guy. He reminded me of Arnie sitting onbenches hwile I went into the little shops places, patient as can be and just enjoying himself relaxing. Someday I WILL visit BLuehaven and we will go into Saluda and we can walk those shops, while two patient husbands enjoy the outside world and talking :-) I loved going here with you tonight through words and pictures...Thank you!
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