Saturday Market features locally produced arts and crafts Near Saturday Market is Farmer’s Market, where fresh produce is sold by its growers By Erica Stephan Freelance Reporter “Three years.” “Thirteen years.” “Off and on for about 22 years.” These are the responses of Eu gene craftspeople when asked how long they’ve been selling their arts at the downtown Satur day Market. Some, like jeweler Kristina Dessauer, support themselves en tirely by craftwork, while others do it part-time for extra income or to support their artistic work. They sell stained glass, ceramics, handmade clothing, hair wraps, jewelry and, of course, tie-dye T shirts. Everything necessary for a hap py, low-tech life can be pur chased at Saturday Market, held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the comer of 8th Avenue and Oak Street downtown. Saturday Market is a 28-year old open-air market where local craftspeople sell their creations to the public. Merchandise must be sold by the person who made it or by a member of his or her family, and it is screened for quality. Other than that, there are no restrictions on the vendors, who give from 10 to 20 percent of the'r earnings to the market in exchange for booth space. Many of the customers are Sat u fay Market regulars, and they will tell you they enjoy the so cializing, the music and the at mosphere as much as the crafts. On a recent Saturday, six month-old David Corwin of Cor vallis experienced the music stage for the first time. His moth er, Judy Corwin, has been coming to Eugene for four years. Luckily, she says, her baby loved the ex perience. Across the street from Satur day Market is the Farmer’s Mar ket, which started 18 years ago. Most of the food offered for sale is organic, and prices are usually cheaper than in natural-foods stores. In addition, you get to meet the growers, who will be happy to share gardening tips and tell you just what the difference is be tween a bell pepper and an Ana heim. The Farmer’s Market is also open Tuesdays from 10 to 4. Two of the farms at Farmer’s Market, Horton Road Organics and Nettles Edge Farm, offer Community Supported Agricul ture programs. The idea behind CSA is to in volve the consumer in the grow ing process. Forty or fifty families purchase shares-in the health and happiness of a farm and receive a delivery of fresh, in-season veg etables every week. The farms welcome visitors who want to see where their food originates. Mike Neuback, an ap prentice grower at Horton Road Organics, says their CSA pro gram “evolved out of people ask ing us to put aside a box for them every Saturday. It’s been very successful; we have a long wait ing list.” ARCHIVE PHOTO A local craftsman displays his wares at the Saturday Market, to which vendors pay 10 to 20 percent of their earnings. ToFfee Drop by for some Coffee Counter Culture. Friday, September 26 8-10 pm Gregarious Acoustic rock Opening with Kristen Miles Pianist & singer Saturday, September 27 8-10 pm Eric Larson Acoustic guitar Plus other special guests Address: 840 1.13 («ro» the {tree* from the University Bookstore) Phone: 302-1771 Bo cover chorye. One drink minimum for ail skew.