Summer market in full bloom

By Taras McCurdie Sta Reporter

FERNDALE — On a sunny and slightly windy Saturday afternoon down North Star Road, the Petals and Blooms Home Decor Summer Market brought more than three dozen vendors from across Whatcom County to showcase and sell their products to locals.

What originally began as a ower business on the streets of Bellingham out of a remodeled 1965 Bell trailer, Petals and Blooms eventually expanded its customer reach by selling vintage home and garden decor as well as owers and plants.

e Petals and Blooms Barn, the location of the event, was built by Kathy and Mike McGuire, and the family’s mission is “to o er customers the absolute best prices on the best farmhouse and modern home and garden decor items.”

One of the vendors in attendance was Black Wolf Wood Works, operated by James Clevenger. After creating a bottle stopper with his father, Clevenger got hooked on woodworking, and he made his hobby of woodturning into a full-time business in 2020. Clevenger began with turning bowls, but he soon realized that he needed to expand into making at boards as well because just selling one product for a high price wouldn’t be pro table.

“I’m not in it to make millions or go big,” he said. “I’m in it to talk with people and stay local. I like woodworking. It’s a passion.”

As much as Clevenger loves turning bowls, he said his wood diamond-painted pens pay the bills. Clevenger said he nds whatever wood he can, whether it’s on the side of road or freshly cut, and he turns it into creative products.

With the market event held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Ferndale folks explored a variety of home and garden decor, kicking o the beginning of summer.

— Contact Taras McCurdie at taras@lyndentribune. com.