Unusual wrought iron pieces were popular at the U.S. 21 Road Market said a vendor in State Road.
From the old to the new, there was a little something for everyone to be found along U.S. 21 over the weekend during the annual Take a Break from the Interstate Road Market.
“Odd things, for sure,” is what vendor Gaye Rogers of Dobson said customers were looking for at the market. Popular items at her booth in State Road included wrought iron furniture for yards and gardens as well as farmhouse style furnishings.
Rogers has sold at the market for several years now and said it was interesting to see folks from all across the state and beyond.
Norma and George Pain of High Point had a booth for this first time at the U.S. 21 Road Market in Elkin featuring unique pottery and colorful glassware.
“We have face jugs we’ve collected over the years from potters from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida. They’re all signed,” said Norma Pain.
George Pain explained a brief history of the unusual pottery jugs which feature somewhat gruesome looking faces. Pain said the jugs originated as grave markers for enslaved people and later became vessels to keep liquor in as a way to keep children away from it with the scary faces. They have now become folk art and even featured in the Smithsonian museum, Pain said.
Antique glassware such in brilliant reds, yellows, blues and greens were on display at the Pain’s booth as well. Norma Pain said they often have the opportunity to educate shoppers on the different types of collective glass, including some that glow under black light.
“We get them excited about certain things,” she said.
There were 20 people with booths this year at the Heritage Center alone, said Misty Matthews of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, with many more vendors throughout town.