BY Emily Bontrager

Staff Reporter

From May to October, families walk the streets of downtown Ellensburg on Saturday morning for the Kittitas County Farmer’s Market.

Some are on a mission, many are just  wandering around taking in the warm weather, colors and scents. People have the opportunity to spend time together and see some of the things  local farmers in the community came to sell.

There is something for everyone as local vendors sell everything from soaps and hand lotions to jewelry and candles.

Jenn Land, owner of Picket and Oak Herbal Apothecary, makes lotions and oils. She has been participating in the Farmers Market for three years.

“I really enjoy coming to this market for the community,” Land said.

Land started out by making  organic skin care items for herself and her family. She decided to expand and went into business in 2011.

“I love making, creating and sharing,” Land said, “It’s really a great opportunity to get to know my neighbors and talk to people.”

The Trellis Center has also been selling organic and locally grown peppers, starter plants and relishes for  the past three years.  The group sends produce off to a manufacturing company that packages them and sends them back so they are ready to sell.

“The center uses the money they make to help raise the quality of life for adults living with autism,” Daniel Ortegam, Trellis Center intern, said.

The variety of flavors, which range from sweet to spicy, can satisfy many different palates.

Individuals looking for candles can stop their search when they get to Erinn Boitano’s Farmer’s Daughter stand. Boitano makes beeswax candles, soaps and lotions.

Like many other vendors, this is Boitano’s third year at the farmers market.

Boitano started selling candles when she decided to take her love for candle making and share it with the community. Her business started small and it has grown.

“My favorite part about the market is the customers,” Boitano said. “We sell things online, but it’s so much more personal to get to interact with them.”

Boitano’s advice for anyone looking to start a business is to just get started and do it; nothing can turn into something even if doesn’t seem likely.

Though there were many returning vendors, there were also some new comers to the market this year, such as Lojo’s Jewelry.

Lojo’s Jewelry is made from recycled silver plated silverware that Lloyd Moore bends to create jewelry including, but not limited to, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches.

Lloyd started the company with his wife, Joanne, five years ago. His daughter had some old silverware that she asked to be made into jewelry, and then had individuals who requested more after seeing the ones that she had.

Since they opened, the couple from Ronald, Wash. has been selling mostly out of Rosyln, Wash.

The designs they use in their pieces are their own ideas. They consist of fork prongs made to look like elephants, knives cut to make a bell necklace or simply faces of spoons textured and made into earrings.

“It really is fun to make, and seeing peoples faces when they find something that really appeals to them is why we keep doing this,” Lloyd said.

Many vendors are just excited to have the ability to go out and talk to people while getting their products out there for people to see.

It is also a great opportunity for the community to come together to support the local farmers and businesses in Kittitas County.