November 2, 2006

Victorian era comes alive as New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
hosts 2nd annual Yuletide Bazaar Nov. 11-12

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan (far right) will be helping at this year’s Yuletide Bazaar. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

With less than two months before Christ-mas, crafty artisans and master bakers are creating a plethora of gifts for the second annual Yuletide Bazaar to be held Nov. 11-12 at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum.

“We want to invite everyone to come to our Victorian-inspired Yuletide Bazaar,” said New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum park interpreter Terri Sanislo-Williams, who is busy creating lavender bouteilles [sachet wands]. “Besides all the Victorian-inspired gifts and wonderful baked goods, we’ll have demonstrations from the Lace Museum and a native American creating dream catchers. It will be a lot of fun for everyone and items that you won’t find in a shopping mall.”

The Yuletide Bazaar promises something for everyone from handmade goods to art, crafts to candies and baked goods. The Cambrian Art League will also present paintings of New Almaden rural life and cottages from when the group visited the area earlier this year.

New Almaden resident Peggy Melbourne’s hand-painted birdcages were a hot item last year.

Nimble fingers are also busy crocheting and knitting scarves and other woolen goods for the upcoming event. New Almaden resident Peggy Melbourne’s hand-painted birdcages were a hot item last year and she’s bringing them back this year. New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum park interpreter John Slenter will showcase his photographs from around California. Handcrafted jewelry and bees-wax candles and soaps will tempt eager shoppers. And hand-forged items like mining picks pay tribute to the mining area. A portion of all sales will be donated to the museum.

If shopping makes you hungry or you just want homemade goodies for Christmas gifts, you won’t be disappointed. Rebecca Mapes will have her delicate homemade Belgian chocolates for sale. Virginia Hammerness will bake her wonderful homemade breads and cookies and will also have canned preserves, while other museum docents will showcase their family recipes. There will even be handmade pasties [meat turnovers] like the miners enjoyed working at the Quicksilver Mine.

Yes, there is something for everyone at the Yuletide Bazaar, where you can find that unique gift for someone special this Christmas.

The Yuletide Bazaar will be held at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 21350 Almaden Rd., San Jose, Nov. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Call (408) 323-1107 for more information.