A.I.R. - Artist in Residence

The Merchants who have received the AIR symbol have handcrafted their art, and their booths are hosted by the artisans themselves. They can enhance your perusal and enjoyment, and can satisfy any curiosity about the intricacies of their crafts. We support the arts and encourage you to find your unique gifts from the hands that created them. Come speak with the Artists in Residence at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair!

Patterson & Sons Stationers (just inside the front gate) Coat Check, Lost & Found, General Information, Fair memorabilia, and old-fashioned candies.

Whispers from the Past (Claudia Swanson-Cain) Returning to London again with the finest of fanciful fairies, delightful gnomes, ravishing mermaids, delightful tree house abodes for fairies and hobbits alike, as well as unsavory trolls, pirates and rogues, and other ethereal creatures from the Emerald Isles.

 
 Nuyens Art Studio (Louis Nuyens) Pastel Portraits in the classical style. Continuing for 30+ years the tradition of Nuyens Portraits, where your unique beauty is captured within minutes to entrance you for a lifetime. Also available for purchase are Nuyens' paintings of Sailing ships.

Caswell Harps (Chris Caswell) Try your hand at playing one of our new, affordable "Conservatory" models, inspired by the baroque harps of Europe and Wales. I began making harps in 1973, first with Jay Witcher, then by 1977 in my own shop. Over those years, my sense of calling has become only richer and clearer. I always say I never make a harp I wouldn't play myself; I tend to design new models to fulfill what my inner ear says is possible. Here, as best I can, is how I describe this calling:
Tradition–to make harps designed from the heart, and in the lineage of the ancient Celtic harps
Innovation–to continue to evolve the harp for a new generation of players, and for the future of the instrument itself
Excellence–to combine fine craftsmanship with a passion for its sound and esthetics, bringing each design into the realm of art

Fitz-Gerald Manor Shop (Gerald Webb) Like being invited into a treasured personal library... the beautiful collection of unique bindings, poetry and antique maps reflects the discriminating taste of the proprietor.

Dark Garden Unique Corsetry (Autumn Adamme) Ready-to-wear and couture corsets in an ever-changing variety of colors and fabrics created by this world-renowned corsetiere.

Madame Louise's Fashion Accessories (Lynn Combs) Fine bonnets, shawls, handkerchiefs and gifts for ladies, as well as hatpins, chatelaines and sewing tools.

Velvet Bedlam (Don & Andrea Thompson) Specializing in children's period clothing and traditional attire.

Shuttle Creek Weaving (Annie Fischer) Beautiful woven ruanas and jackets in soft, easy care cotton. The inspired colors and unique styles are truly wearable art.

Miss Darla's Dolls Gone Wrong (Darla Hitchcock) Luxury wear for the wicked and the pure. Gorgeous Victorian clothing, lingerie and accessories.

Holzer & Combe Haberdashery (Lynn Combs & Larry Holzer) Gentlemen's clothing and accessories, to dress you from "Hats to Spats." The Hab. carries a full range of menswear: bowlers, top hats, vests, cravats, frock coats, pants, spats, canes, pocket watches and a sword or two.

Steven Overstreet, Clothier Luxurious & romantic women's clothing. Flowing sleeves and daring necklines in velvets and brocades invite the eye and flatter the feminine form, as luxurious fabrics in romantic timeless designs reveal the goddess within.

Primrose Parlour (Jennifer Landon) From proper bonnets to steamy little hats, this choice selection of one-of-a-kind headwear confections is created with modern and antiquarian notions gathered from worldly travels. Our philosphy is, "Purchase the accessory first, then find the outfit to match."

Pat's Hats (Casey Jones) Incredible top hats, lovely furry Santa hats, the finest English woolen in a variety of tweeds, herringbones, and houndstooth made into wonderful caps and deerstalkers, as well as numerous hats adorned with exotic, wildly colored African fowl plumage.

Petrushka (Patricia Farber) Glorious Victorian hats, gloves and jewelry.

PiumaMia Feather Creations (Antonella Catalano) Fantastic feather creations and wearable art by a Florentine artist.

Rosie's Posies (Rosie Echelmeier) The discriminating female customer, young or mature, will find a crystal tiara, floral garland, or ornate headpiece to suit the season and to complete an exciting costume or newly chosen holiday wardrobe. Please visit us and let us offer you only the best in quality and fashion.

Mr. Alan Jeffries - Fine Gentlemen's Apparel (Jeffrey Schoenberg) Everything for the man of distinction, from cloaks to cufflinks, shirts to shoes, collars to cravats. A proper bespoke tailor of fine clothing, offering ready-to-wear and custom-made fashions. Tailoring and alterations available by appointment.

Thaddeus Pumblechooks Exotic Scarves (Sergei Trubetzkoy) Fine scarves of silk, cotton, and pashmina brought from afar.

Gifts Predominately Perfect. Priscilla's Parasols (Priscilla Troy) offers Promenade Parasols,Tea Cup Potpourri, Victorian Scented Cards, Cuffs & Collars. For the collector, one-of-a-kind, antique, museum-quality Parasols... many from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection. Each comes with a matching cover, certificate of authenticity, and the Formal Rules of Flirtation. Exquisitely refreshed using original textiles and trim wherever possible. A most romantic gift!

Artisan Flameworks (Andre Nigoghossian) Andre creates glass ornaments, vessels, sculpture, and wearable art using the lampworking method of melting and shaping glass in torch flame. He specializes in majestic and unique hand-blown ornaments, as well as whimsical figurines of animals, mythical creatures, and nudes.

Oudeman Art Glass (Mary and Miguel Oudeman) Beautifully hand-crafted stained and beveled glass windows, kaleidoscopes, and unique gift items. Custom glass designs and restoration work also available.

Yanna Porcelain Sculpture (Yanna Weinheimer) Meticulously sculpted porcelain beasties, from the familiar to the exotic, will enchant all recipients. Ornaments can also be custom crafted from photos.

Xavier Gonzalez Ceramics Unique stoneware and crystalline glazed porcelain.

Schulps Pottery (Georgia Schulps) Beautiful and unique mugs, vases, bowls and platters, from three generations of potters. All of our pieces are microwave, oven, and dishwasher-safe.

Lodema the Potter (Lodema Epperson) Centuries-old techniques and timeless inspiration combine in one-of-a-kind pieces that are both charming and functional.

Curli Q-Ity (Skip Vasquez) Highly ornamental pieces are characterized by engravings, wirework, salvaged antiques and exquisite art glass.

Ye Pellucid Wares (Guy Moore) A maker of glass bottles, lamps, and special Christmas ornaments.

Pale Moon (Heidi Barthelemy) Unique hand-carved bone & horn jewelry, beautiful hand-cast ornaments & mirrors, hand-pressed cards, and Tarot jewelry. For over 40 years Christopher Miller and Gino Schavone's handcrafted items have been a trademark of the Patterson Fairs. The extraordinary quality shines brightly in the Dickens Fair setting, continuing this tradition of excellence!

Benitez Jewelers (Steve & Benita Benitez) Gold and Silver handcrafted fabricated jewelry. All items are one-of-a-kind in either Art Nouveau or Victorian styles. Steve and Benita Benitez have been designing and constructing Jewelry for 25 years. Steve has attended San Francisco City College and California State University, San Francisco studying art and has applied this background to Benitez Jewelry. They both work on the designs together; Steve does the construction and most of stone setting, and Benita assists in all clean-up work, final polishing work, stone setting, and display set-up.
 

 Astrolabes & Puzzle Rings (Norman Greene) The best and largest selection ever seen of navigational instruments from the age of exploration - learn how to sail on the high seas. Specializing in puzzle rings and astrolabes - my shop was recently featured on the Science Channel show "How It's Made," so come to see fabulous trinkets available nowhere else!

Trance*Formation (Sue Thompson) Handmade earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Singletree Celtic Design (Paul Reeves) Unique gifts of the finest quality for ladies and gentlemen, from silver hair spirals to pewter flasks. Paul has been designing and making quality crafts for over 35 years. He works directly from ancient and historical sources to create original designs and a timeless feel. His unique etching process enables him to transfer the most intricate designs into silver, bronze and other alloys. Paul's work has been admired and purchased by the Art Institute of Chicago, M.H. de Young Museum, York Archeological Trust, Greenpeace (UK), the British Museum, and countless other retail outlets over the years.

Sweethearts (George Bright-Roberts) This 1800s screw press will produce a Love Token cut from the coin of your choice. This antique machine uses a powerful downward thrust of 15 tons of pressure per square inch on the coin, producing two matching pieces of jewelry cut from the same coin -- one for you, and one for your sweetheart!

Taylor Jewelry (P and M Taylor) Taylor Jewelry is uniquely handcrafted and finely detailed in distinctive combinations of gold and sterling silver.

Serendipity Leather (Sara Feldkamp) Proudly offering Oberon Design leather & pewter handmade locally. Wallets, belts, handbags, iPod and Kindle covers, journals, and personal accessories are adorned with Celtic, Art Nouveau, and Naturalistic images. Timeless pewter treasures adorn hair, neck and ears in most excellent style.  Venetian glass pens, ink, seals & sealing wax complete a desk set that Mr. Dickens himself would be proud to own.

Peekaboo Masks (Mitchell Walker) Finely crafted leather mask designs offered by the great master himself "Mr. Mitchell Walker" of London at his establishment Peekaboo-Masks. Yes, in this,"Day of Great Industry," there still exists fine craftsmanship and original design wrought not by mechanical means or kinetic manipulations, but by the hand and soul of the master craftsman.

Broom Magic (Annie Fischer) Whimsical, traditional hand-carving transforms brooms and staffs from tools to treasures.

The Basket Maker (Peggy Peterson) Wondrous hand-woven market baskets from far-off Morocco, and fine hand-woven scarves dyed in rainbow colors.

Strawbenders (Morgyn Owens-Celli) Morgyn Owens-Celli has been a straw artist for 25 years, from a family where this art is over five generations old. Having learned his art in a traditional manner, much of Morgyn's work reflects the designs that are native to this art form and his family heritage. As an artist, he has explored the medium and continues to push the boundaries of its physical limitations. Samples of his work are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and two American presidents have displayed his work in the White House.

The Magick Crystal (James Thomson) Come marvel at our most excellent selection of stones, crystals, fossils, and other nature's treasures from the distant corners of the Empire. Put a sparkle in someone's eye when you stuff their stocking with a piece of glittering amethyst, a quartz cluster, or a Brazilian agate geode. Perhaps take home one of Mr. Darwin's bizarre creatures from the ancient world!

Dancing Flame Candles (Grace Morgan) The perfect Holiday gift - intricate hand-carved candles made before your eyes. Watch as candles are dipped and carved - and perhaps dip a candle yourself!

Fellowship Foundry (Randal Moore) Heirloom-quality pewter handmade in the Bay Area, from wax design to final hand polishing. Since our beginning in 1978, the combined talents of Master Pewtersmith Randal Moore and our artist Kevin O'Hare have continued to create wonderful designs. They wrangle first over the idea, then sketches, then the wax sculpture until they are both satisfied. We make a metal "master" from the wax, and continue through many steps before we have a finished design. Because we make it all by hand, there are small differences between every single piece.

Daylight Artworks (Heather Daylight) The inherent beauty of natural stone and wood is revealed in functional pieces of art. Heather Daylight  is a professional artist, holding both a Summa Cum Laude BFA in Fine Art from UC Berkeley and a Graduate Certificate from the prestigious Academy of Art in San Francisco. Heather's son, Shanti, is a gifted designer, talented artist and exceptional crafter.

Ballena Bay Pewtersmiths (Kary & Rollie Rivas) Cups, mugs, shot glasses and goblets cast in timeless pewter.

Box Clocks (Rainbow) Handmade pocket boxes, charming box clocks and compasses.

 Whirlwind Magic Wands (Gary Hall)  Beautifully handcrafted wands for the magician in everyone. Whirlwood Magic Wands are real magic wands of the highest reputation - world-renowned for their great power, beauty, elegance, and fine craftsmanship. Whether you are a discriminating collector or a practitioner, you will find the perfect magic wand at Whirlwood. Should you choose a Whirlwood Magic Wand, I personally guarantee your satisfaction. I do not want a patron, armed with one of my wands, to be angry with me for any reason.

Morgan's Mane (Nancy Morgan Reed) Handcrafted wooden hair combs and sticks. Fine exotic and domestic woods are used to create one-of-a-kind hair accessories that really work in your hair. Also hand-woven and knit shawls and scarves with matching crochet hats.

Madera Cup Company (Brian Warner) Fully functional wooden drinking vessels. Each handcrafted cup is constructed from exotic and domestic woods picked for their color and beauty. They are turned on a lathe, then coated with a food-grade epoxy resin to protect the wood from any beverage, hot or cold. These mugs and goblets are built to last a lifetime.

Wormwood's Workhouse Washwares (Sidney Rice) Using only the finest oils & botanicals to create seasonal & exotic scent blends, this collection encompasses the very best recipes from 11 years of product testing & customer support. Recipes include Olive Oyle, Sea-Salt and Shea Butter Soappes, the ever-popular Powder Finish Lotion, special skin treatments, and wonderful accessories. We also offer Workhouse Wickwares to light your way through London and scent your home with lovely fragrance throughout the year! Seasonal Soappe Sampling, Gift Baskets, and for those who have been naughty on your list, the Dickensian Chimney Sweep's Coal Bundles!

Passiflora (Doug Ipock) Scents, oils, balms, and perfume bottles. Passiflora Herbal Massage Oils are blended by hand, in small batches of the finest, most rare and pure ingredients available. They come in a variety of delightful fragrances and are suitable for use on even the most sensitive skin.  Passiflora blends our own line of unique perfume & essential oils.  Many women wear Passiflora Perfume Oil as their "signature scent," and Passiflora Essential Oils make the perfect aromatherapy gift.

The 'Happy Christmas' Store (Lupe' Vasquez) Gorgeous botanical and ribboned garlands.

The Heart and Skull at Pirate's Cove (Ray Amsbury) An exciting mix of wares for Pirates of any age. Everything your black heart desires!

Blythe Spirits (Donna Larson) It is well worth remembering that cleanliness is essential when Godliness is improbable! Fine hand-made soaps and emollients for the face and body. These exceptional products are unsurpassed in purity and distinguished for their extremely gentle and soothing effects on the skin. No effort has been spared to bring our customers the finest goods that are well-known to both city dweller and our esteemed country cousins The best and rarest ingredients are artfully combined to create a sensuous experience not be be duplicated! It is without reservation that we recommend these emollients to the most discerning of our citizenry.

Dorr Eddy Designs Usher in the holiday season with personalized Christmas ornaments. When Dorr and Stephanie Eddy began making bread dough ornaments in their kitchen in 1972, they had no idea how popular their Christmas tree decorations would become. Today, after more than 36 years, their whimsical little dough ornaments are treasured by children and grownups all over the world! 
Each ornament is an original creation designed by Dorr Eddy. The unique character of each Christmas ornament adds to the style of a completely handmade product. The bright colors and high gloss coating add to the ornament’s attractiveness and durability.

Mama Mambo's Tarot (Katie Heflin) Madame Mambo has been a tarot reader for over 40 years. Her readings are an enlightening, uplifting, and inspiring experience.

Madame Jolie's Readings of Esoterica (Jolie Stevens)

Adorn Thy Hair (Lynn Combs) French braids and romantic, one-of-a-kind updos that transform your visit to the Fair. For both long and not-so-very-long hair, our talented hair braiders can produce a masterpiece for any occasion. From weddings and proms to a blind date or a day at the Dickens Fair,  braids are appropriate for any event. Adorn Thy Hair offers a unique alternative to hairdryers and curlers - unlike modern styling practices, our braiding magic makes use of the natural beauty of your hair.

Central London Telegraph Co. (Karen Porter) Send a hand-written telegram or holiday greeting to friends and family inside the fair, from yourself or from Father Christmas. Also love notes; even marriage proposals! Include a small personal favor for that extra touch.

Mrs. Piper's Photo Parlour (Alwyn L'hoir) What character would you choose to be in old London? Step into Mrs. Piper's Photo Parlour and find out. From the sublime to the saucy, our well-trained staff can outfit you, and you will carry home a delightful memento of Victorian England. Photographer to the royal family for more than 25 years, Mrs. Piper awaits you in our new location, directly 'catty corner' from the old establishment. Kind regards.

The Candy Machine (Patrick Morris) Pop the balloon, release the ball, and watch the fascinating twists and turns of this mechanical wonder! Everyone's a winner.

Portraits (Louis Nuyens) Pose for a portrait by the master himself to create a timeless memento.

Lady Lovelace's Photo Salon (Autumn Adamme & Jude Mooney) Feeling flirtatious and adventurous? Indulge yourself at Lady Lovelace's Victorian Boudoir Photography Salon, which offers a luxurious setting and the finest Victorian lingerie and corsets, provided by Dark Garden Corsetry, in which to pose and be photographed by our highly skilled photographer Lady Lovelace.

Footlight Fiasco (Michael Patterson) O sole mio! Music hall performers are the targets in this game - tell 'em how you liked the show by bowling 'em over with vegetable shaped beanbags!

Boot the Cat (Michael Patterson) Wield an old boot against that pesky alley cat on the back fence and win!

Flip a Sweep (Al Bertini) Up and at 'em! Flip the chimney sweep dolls toward the townhouse chimney tops - if they land inside, you win a prize!

Corinthian Rose Sporting Club (Greg Pursley) Join the ladies and gentlemen of the club as they open their doors in the holiday spirit and instruct everyone who visits in the classical art of fencing, one of the most popular sports of the Victorian era.

The Safari Carousel (Michael Patterson) Pick your favorite safari animal for an adventurous ride on this hand-made, hand-powered children's carousel!

Children's Painting Garden (Rebecca Love) A veritable storybook of handmade, collectible ceramic shapes created to paint upon. A delightful ornament for your tree or to give as a gift - and an activity for both the young and the young at heart!

The London Printer (Sharon Sullivan) Stop by for a lesson in old-fashioned typesetting and help create a real printed piece on the authentic 1860s printing press!

Photo by Raymond Van Tassel