Here's a more general question - I know part of the answer but I'm posting it so we can all share our answers.

Absent designated markets and outside of craft fairs, how do I find local artisans? Say, I just need a little skein of darning yarn. I KNOW there are spinners and dyers in my area. But they don't set up at the farmers' markets, and the season for that is over anyhow.



My partial answer: there's a local poultry and beef farmer who set up a brick-and-mortar shop in town where she sells her farm's meat and eggs; other animal products, sweet syrups and seasonal vegetables from other local farms; and a small selection of mass marketed food and household items. Farmers talk to each other and she'll probably know who I can ask. Likewise, a friend of mine is an aspiring writer with contacts in the local arts community, and if I have a specific type of gift item in mind she can probably point me in someone's direction.

Where else would you folks go?