The stone of jagged black sapphire catches the sunlight as several silver, sphere-shaped stones surround the reflecting light. Connected by a wire, the ring is big and bulky but beautiful at the same time. Susan F. Harrison’s jewelry creations have graced the Gainesville Farmer’s Market for only a month, but already she’s found a niche she loves.
She has been making bead jewelry, vintage button jewelry and sea glass designs for years. The market helps her spread awareness and the jewelry is affordable—around $10.
“I get to meet new clients,” Harrison said. “I make things for weddings or proms. If they need specific things such as six of same thing, I can do that too.”
The farmers market is located in the center of downtown Gainesville on the Bo Diddley Community Plaza at 111 E. University Ave. Local farmers, artists, musicians and bakers all come out to sell their products every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Althea Wright has been participating in the farmers market for four years. She sells her soy candles made from 100 percent natural soy wax.
“I travel 24.5 miles,” Wright said. “I don’t mind it, I love selling my goods.”
Other sellers sing to try to get customers to pick their vegetables. One man was changing the words to Beatles songs, such as, “I am the eggplant” instead of the famous, “I am the Walrus.”
The Dreaming Cow, located in Georgia, sells all natural cream top yogurts at the market, too. Their yogurt includes flavors like Vanilla Agave, Strawberry Pomegranate, Honey Pear and Maple Ginger. The company’s focus is on the farmers and the cows who provide the milk.
The food is just one aspect of the market. Music on stage usually starts around 4:45 p.m., but throughout the plaza there are musicians just strumming along to guitars.
The markets quest is to make “the world a better place — one vegetable at a time!”
Here’s is its website, with a complete list of all the vendors.
http://www.unionstreetfarmersmkt.com/union/index.php