Woods Brim With Scandinavian Art and Crafts At 'Cottages In The Woods'

GENEVA, IL — A gnome, giant pumpkin and a fairy or two will welcome visitors to "Cottages in the Woods," held in the beautiful woodlands of historic Good Templar Park in Geneva, Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16. The woods will be brimming with Scandinavian arts and crafts, Swedish food, folklore and fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days.

Nineteen charming Swedish stugas (cottages) will be open, showcasing some of the Midwest’s most talented artisans. Visitors will find a wide variety of rosemaling, dalamaling, Swedish water color, candles, pottery, knitted items, woodworking, vintage, watercolor prints, classic children's books, natural cosmetics, jewelry, prayer beads, wreaths, and garlands. There will also be demonstrations, including a krumkasa demo in the Swedish bakery.

Saint Lucia shares her Swedish legend, while Jul Tomte (Swedish Santa) will delight children young and old. Roam the woods, where you’re likely to find a hidden fairy or two. Treat yourself to lunch at The Pasta Box (Saturday and Sunday) and Aunt Tina’s Sound Bites soul food (Sunday) food trucks. Take home some Scandinavian sweets and baked goods for later in the Lingonberry Cafe.

A children's tent with free crafts, and a children's scavenger hunt will keep the kiddos busy. Visit Tomte and his helper 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days. Fairies in costumes will enchant visitors. Kids and the young at heart are encouraged to dress in a fairy costume.

Good Templar Park is a private park, which only opens the historic cottages to the public a few times a year. Fall is the most beautiful time of all, with leaves of red and gold falling from towering oaks, and offers the perfect fall day trip away from hustle and bustle of the big city.
Admission to Cottages In The Woods Artisan Sale is $10 for adults, and can be paid at the gate. Kids under 12 are free. Good Templar Park is located at 528 East Drive, Geneva.

Featured 2022 artists are:

• Carol Frey (Smittens up cycled mittens) Cottage #35
• Carly Kloubec Home and Holiday Décor Cottage # 35
• Denise Chaiken Coil Memory Wire Braclets Cottage #25
• Lisa Tomlinson Crocheted Items
• Linda Miller Vintage Items #34
• Lori Shemanski Tole Painting #33
• Karen Kloubec Pottery Cottage #32
• Peg Boehm Water Color Cards & Prints Cottage #32
• Kathy McPartland Sandinavian Artwork & Water Color Cards Cottage # 31
• Terri Lock Upcycled Bird Feeders Cottage # 30
• Hanan Hall Chain Maille Jewelry Cottage # 29
• The Gnome Merchant Cottage # 7
• Ron Diller Wood Carvings Cottage #10
• Kathy Longo Vintage Cottage # 11
• Women at Risk Jewelry Cottage #12
• IL Norsk Rosmalers Norwegian Rosemaling Cottage #14
• Jody Moreen Classic Books and Vintage Cottage # 16
• Earth's Secret All Natural Soap, skin care, makeup Cottage #17
• Janette Romero Canvis Bags & Scrubs Cottage # 18
• Sew Pretty Handmade Designs Quilted Items Cottage #101
• Nisse Nook Scandinavian Products Cottage #106
• The Pet Collar Co Cottage #52
• Mosey's Macrame Cottage # 52
• Chicago Swedish Museum (tent in front of Community House)
• SWEDISH BAKERY in Good Templar Park Community House, selling homemade sweet treats and baked Items from Iversons Bakery, and a Krumkake demo