'Santa's Village' makes buying local easy

There were shining gifts aplenty at the Santa's Village Open House and Craft Fair at Sisters Art Works on Saturday, including a sit-down photo session with Santa for dogs of all distinctions to benefit the Furry Friends Pet Food Drive.

Outside on the porch, pooches lined up for their moment with St. Nick as shoppers warmed themselves beside a blazing firepit. Black Butte School sold fresh fir and pinecone wreaths and cinnamon sugar almonds to benefit their programs.

Inside, artist Laurence Dyer presided over his table of handmade wooden boxes for flyfishing, jewelry and trinkets.

"These are all made from exotic woods, mostly Hawaiian kamani, koa and mango," he explained. "It's just something I've done all my life, making things in wood. I simply find a special piece and see what I can do with it."

The Sisters High School Chinese class set up a booth with holiday baked goods like Peppermint Creme Sandwich Cookies and Peanut Butter Blossoms, all to contribute funds for their upcoming trip to China this summer.

Becca and Devin Gattey of Portland stood waiting for their holiday art plate to be wrapped and commented on the incredible sunshine outside.

"What a gorgeous day for December," said Becca. "We drove over just to attend this event, and it really got us in the spirit."

Owner and organizer Kathy Deggendorfer opened her building and studio to guests searching for artistic presents and mingled with shoppers, in

the halls.

"Once again the Sisters community proves we have the most innovative, fun selection of gifts," she said. "It's a great turnout and we have 27 different vendors this year. There are so many people out celebrating the true part of Christmas today, helping

and benefiting others."

Upstairs, Pat Fisher and Maura Schwartz, of Madras Melange Gifts, sold items all made from materials grown in Madras, including rawhide rattles, sacks of wheatberry porridge mixes, and craft beer soaps.

"It's been a friendly and consistent crowd all day," said Schwartz. "The artists are all really nurturing to each other and people are pleasantly surprised to see the variety of products that can be made from things in Madras. We're here to help build that reputation."

Sisters always takes a special interest in the less-fortunate, and this year is no exception.

"With the Holiday Plates and Platters project headed up by Loraine Albertson and Susanne Redfield, I bought the platters and invited artists to come and paint with me to create these one-of-a-kind pieces to sell and benefit the Sisters Food Bank," said Deggendorfer. "Kibak Tiles donated the glaze and firing. The monies help a lot of families in need. We have so much abundance here in Sisters and it warms your heart to serve food on a plate that helps others eat as well. It's the gift of giving all the way around."