Flea Market Vendor Spotlight - C&H Wood Products
Cathy and her husband own C&H Wood Products, and sell their crafts in a cute booth toward the front of the Shipshewana Flea Market.
33 years ago, Cathy Nellist was sick of her day job. She needed a change.
So, her husband, who created wood crafts and other unique items, told her to try out selling his stuff at the Shipshewana Flea Market.
And 33 years later, Cathy is still at the market.
Cathy and her husband own C&H Wood Products, and sell their crafts in a cute booth toward the front of the Shipshewana Flea Market. Walk into her small building on space 399-400, and you'll find personalized painted wood signs, repurposed items made into lights (including steampunk lights), corian cutting boards, and decorative crafts for the home.
"My husband makes everything, even with a full-time job!" says Cathy. "He loves repurposing things."
Personally, my favorite items in their booth were the lights. It's crazy what kind of stuff you can make into lights! For example, I found a gumball machine, a camera, a fan and a tea kettle. Plus, a lot of them use Edison bulbs, which are so cool and so in right now.
Cathy is probably best known for her wood signs, perfect for the yard or lakeside. On select signs, she'll even paint your family's name on it for free right there in her booth!
When asked how she comes up with the sayings on the signs, Cathy said, "My inspiration comes from my customers. They'll suggest something, and if I think it sounds good, I'll try it out! I also get inspiration from songs."
And check out this crazy handmade "Spoon Fish!" As you can see, the body is made from spoons, the eye from a coffee grinder, the tail from the inside of a pan, and the fins made from a spatula and copper tubing! Now that is truly a work of art!
Cathy's favorite part about the market is the people. She loves the other vendors who are around her, and she also appreciates the office staff!
"Yes, I like creating stuff, but it's the people around me that make it all worth it."
Be sure to visit Cathy and C&H Wood Products at booth Number 399-400 (see map) at the Shipshewana Flea Market every Tuesday and Wednesday, May through September. She'd love to see you!
