Stissing House Craft Feast 2025

December 16, 2025

This holiday season, please stop by a winter market or crafts fair where you live and support local makers - it's a great way to meet the artisans and learn about their specialties.

Over the weekend, I drove up to Stissing House for its third annual Holiday Craft Feast. Stissing House is a charming country restaurant in the historic town of Pine Plains, New York in Duchess County. For two days, Stissing House opened its doors to 50 collectors and craftspeople selling many collectibles and handmade items such as pottery, baskets, woven textiles, jewelry, knits, etc. Hundreds of ticketed guests walked through the space and shopped. There were carolers, craft projects, and lots of refreshments. It was a wonderful place to meet entrepreneurs, shop for gifts, and celebrate the holidays.

Enjoy these photos - most were taken by my grandnephew Silas Slater.

: I attended the event with my niece, Sophie Herbert Slater, her handsome son Silas, and my dear friend Terre Blair. Silas took most of these photos – he is an excellent photographer.

: It was a very cold day in the Northeast, but inside it was warm, cozy, and filled with holiday cheer.

: And there was a good supply of wood for the fire.

: Thee were lots of sweets to try including the quince donuts. If you’ve never tried a quince jelly donut, it adds a sweet and floral flavor to the dough.

: There were also lots of cookies.

: And delicious popcorn, ready to bag up and enjoy.

: At this station, bone broth made right at Stissing House for those needing a little more warmth.

: Here’s a photo Silas took of his mother Sophie and Stissing House chef and proprietor, Clare de Boer.

: One of the first vendors we visited was Roseland. The table was filled with beautifully made pottery.

: Among them, this charming salt cellar.

: Here are some forced winter flower bulbs that should open by Christmas – offered by English Garden Grown.

: Maine Heritage Weavers sold many warm blankets.

: These damask linens were weaved at The Burroughs Garret in Newbury, Vermont.

: One could also make their own miniature brooms.

: Here is a group learning how to tie and shape their brooms. Broom making is a meticulous process often passed down through generations.

: Silas made this one – it is excellently crafted.

: I saw other colleagues at the event. Here’s our own Ryan Mesina enjoying some cookies.

: Judy and her husband, Jim, were also there.

: JLD Knives had these handmade offerings made by Jack Dolan who uses carbon steel, stainless steel and wood as his sources.

: This collector’s table is set up by Warren Battle, co-owner of @battle_brown from nearby Hudson, New York.

: Here are some of the wonderful handmade pieces from Signe Ceramics.

: More beautifully crafted pottery from Amanda Moffat.

: Stissing House also had some great items for sale, such as shortbread cookies by Laurie Ellen, cheese, ginger cake, hot sauce, and holiday ornaments.

: And here’s young Silas taking a short break by the Christmas tree. Thanks for all the great photos, Silas. And what a fun event, Stissing House. Thanks to Claire, Katie Pearce, and Nathan Rawlinson for setting it all up. Looking forward to next year.