Last Friday, my husband and I checked out First Friday Artwalk in downtown Fairhope.  We were pleasantly surprised.  We read you can park at the Art Center, pick up a map and either walk or take the trolley to the center of the excitement.  We parked near the paint your own pottery shop and walked around. 

Our first stop was a jewelry shop that was hosting a trunk show.  Aside from the great food and wine served, we enjoyed the jewelry.  One item we really liked was a bracelet that highlighted a button.  The designer told us that she collected antique buttons and some other current fashion buttons.  She found a silversmith to place them in a cylinder style setting with a clapse.  The bracelet was then either pearls or beads.  The buttons were beautiful.  Her business is called Peru to You and she’s from Georgia.

Next stop was Bayside Beads.  I found some things I will return for to make my own jewelry which I do from time to time.  Again, more food; more wine.

Walking further down the street we listened to several street-corner musicians.  One featured youth musicians from our church.  We stopped at Page and Pallet, a couple antique “mall” type stores and a couple more galleries before checking out the wine bar.  Awesome. 

We were quite full and getting cold (the temperature had dropped to the 50s) so we headed home.  I recommend First Friday Artwalk and hope to go again next month.  I think the kids might enjoy it.

Sunday we went to the new Windmill Market in downtown Fairhope, just north of the public library.  We didn’t know what to expect although outdoor markets always give us visuals of fresh produce.  There was some but not that much.  The market hosted garden designers and their plants, watercolor artists, designer window companies, crafters, some vegetables, herbs, and other other products. One artist’s work that I liked was Debbie Dolan.  She makes wine bottle lamps and spindle art.  Stop by and see her.  They also had a food stand; the vendors gotta eat.  Outside, next to the market was a patio area with picnic tables, adorondack chairs and other tables and a bandstand with a guy singing to his guitar.  It was quite homey.  We hung out because it was comfortable and just relaxing.  It just opened and is only open on the weekends.  Check it out.

Relaxing at the Windmill Market