Something for everyone at Bagdad Market

WHITE RIVER – Several exhibitors and crafters from all over the Lowveld sold their products at the monthly Baghdad Farmers Market at the Baghdad Centre recently.

Baruch Creations showcased its unique beautifully printed designs on woven cotton. Skirts, tablecloths, placement mats, scatter-cushion covers, shopper bags, washing-peg bags and aprons were for sale.

All interiors can be custom-made at its factory at Da Gama Dam outside White River. Christine and Bianca Keet moved from Bloemfontein a year ago to realise their dream in the fabric-design industry.

Vanucha Mondlane sold colourful African-printed shoes. Sonja van den Heever from Down to Earth crafting displayed her cement bowls and pot-plant trays. Wood-fired salt glazed stone which is crafted by Lia Ziessler from Germany was also on offer. They moved to South Africa in 2000 to open their factory at Brondal. Wendy Sippel sold her handmade soap and cosmetics while her son, Duncan, displayed and sold his handcrafted copper jewellery.

Hilton and Cate Barnett from We Are White River showed their enthusiasm for their local community and invited visitors to join and be a part of a proud town.

We Are White River is a small, non-profit organisation that aims to build a sense of community and supports efforts to make the town successful, resilient and attractive.

The Sabie Brewing Company gave visitors a taste of its home-brewed beers. Walter Comley, Gerhard Diedericks and Felicy Henman-Weir came all the way from Sabie to introduce their beer. The brewery is at the back of their restaurant and they conduct daily tours of the brewery.

Riaan Esterhuyzen runs three restaurants in Hazyview where he uses only prime-cut meat. Bernard Maltje joined him to sell fresh meat. This owner of the Pioneer’s Butcher & Grill earned third place in the 2015 Steakhouse Championships.

The Fountains herb farm sold organic herbs and vegetables. An assortment of homemade fresh pesto, mayos, salad dressings, soups and farm preserves can be added to a veggie box that it delivers weekly to your home. All products are fresh, using the best ingredients, with no colourants, preservatives or stimulants.

The flavour of coffee beans filled the air when passing by Tim and Kim Buckland’s Sabie Valley Coffee stall. They are in the process of opening a coffee shop and factory at Caster-bridge where visitors will be able to witness the process of their coffee creations for themselves.

Dauceurs’ Caelyn and Morgan Whitlock had beautiful liqueur-flavoured tarts for sale and Shannon Golitz sold homemade biscuits from Zannas gourmet biscuits. Gretha Melta displayed and sold her macadamia-nut oil and products. Glow’s Jacky Allart sold aroma-therapy products. At the 67 Blankets for Madiba stall, Lynn Spring displayed some of these finished blankets and invited women to join the initiative.

Eye-catching orange bromelia and several species of orchids were sold by Trish Stevenson from Alkmaar. Last but not least Lirene Strassen and Linda Viljoen displayed their homemade bags made of fabric that is characteristic of the Lowveld. Mad Sisters, as they named their business, is based at Riverside Mall.