OCEAN CITY – The weather didn’t do Ocean City’s Spring Block Party any favors on Saturday, but crowds still came to the resort to look at a wide array of crafts and other goods spread out for blocks along Asbury Avenue.
The crafters also were happy for the opportunity as they mostly kept under their tents as rainfall came and went during the day. Many enjoyed talking about the items they had for sale.
It was the first show for Chris and Roxanna Petrikis of Burning Sensations of Yardley, Pa., whose hand-crafted animals included foxes and frogs along with flowers and other items for sale.
“We want to see how it’s going first to see what people buy,” Roxanna said. “I do a lot of custom work and thought I’d make a couple extras and see how people liked them,” Chris said. (To learn more about their work, call (215) 779-6584.)
Karen Z. (Layden) of Voorhees was sitting with an array of wind chimes made of household items including teapots, silverware and beads.
Layden said she bought a wind chime a few years ago and a couple years later bought another at a craft show before deciding, “I can do that. I start making them and giving them to every person I know, every friend, and then I started selling them,” she said. (Find her work on Instagram at take_it_e_z_chimes or contact her by emailing takeitezchimes@gmail.com.”
Some little creatures that did not mind the weather were sitting uncovered in front of Hearth and Soul at 636 Asbury Ave. There were little pigs and other animals made of fieldstone and powder-coating iron, according to Anne Morrissey.
“They are shaped into characters and bring a little whimsy to the landscape without being too immature. And they make you smile,” she said. “That’s their job. And the powder coating prevents them rusting for years outside.”
Morrissey explained the rock “is Mother Nature at its finest, fieldstone from the Midwest.” It’s from Minnesota where, when the frost thaws, it pushes the stones to the surface and farmers have to clear their fields before they can do planting.
“I tell everyone that rock is the farmer’s first crop,” Morrissey said. Although they were on the street for the Block Party, they are available at Hearth and Soul, a year-round downtown business.
Local resident Holly Buck had a display of seashells on canvas.
“I just make them into different geometric designs that I like,” she said. Asked how she enjoys the Block Party, she looked a little bit hesitant at the moment given the rain that was falling, but overall, she said, “I love being at the Block Party. I used to have stores in town and then I had too many kids, but I still do this to have my own thing.” For those who like the work, they can find her at the Ocean City Farmers Market this summer.
Olivia Nehmad and Sanabelle Summers were working with Pam Nehmad at her tent featuring Morning Tide Designs. The business, from Egg Harbor Township, offered an array of bracelets, clothing and other crafts. (Find them at morningtidedesigns.com.)
HB’s Flag Workshop of Bucks County, Pa., is a wood-crafting business borne of the pandemic in a garage.
Craftsman Hal Baner was with Matt Raczak, Mark Baner, Colleen Baner and Cassie Baner – and a lot of the matching names was no coincidence.
“I started it with my daughter in the pandemic and it just became a hobby,” Hal said, “and all of a sudden is has exploded into this.” They do wooden flag signs and other woodwork featuring military insignia.
“We have a great time and we get to do it with the family, which is the most important thing,” Hal said. When he mentioned family, they all nodded in agreement.
He explained it can take four to five days – from building it and drying time – to complete a big sign. “We do one at a time. We do them all individually.” (To find them, look for HB’s Flag Workshop on Facebook or email HBSFlagWorkshop@gmail.com.
The Ocean City High School Photography Club was exhibiting work at the Block Party. Club member Emmanuel Avila, a junior at OCHS who lives in Ocean City, showed off one of his framed photographs in an array of beautiful and interesting work by club members. Avila said he enjoys the photography club and how photographs can make a person stop to look.
Raven and Dana Migliaccio at SerenityByTheSeaNJ of Upper Township were sitting under cover as the rain fell heavily just after lunchtime Saturday.
They were selling “everything metaphysical, from crystals to sages to hand-curated items that are one of a kind. We’re trying to sell some serenity,” Dana said. Raven said the Block Party “is always a good time.” They didn’t mind the rain. However, she noted while laughing, “I’m happy that I’m undercover.”
“I’m just serene,” Dana added, smiling.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff