Clayton Piemaker and Richmond Heights Woodworkers Invited to Market

Julie Newberry and her husband, Bill, have found great success selling their handmade wooden furniture and accessories at the annual Best of Missouri Market.

"We love it because it's so lively," Julie Newberry said of the event, which happens Oct. 1 and 2 this year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The couple own Newberry Furniture & Kitchen Accessories in . They have participated for the last several years in the market, which celebrates its 20th season this fall.

This year, the couple will have additional space—two tents instead of one—to showcase its goods. They include Adirondack furniture made out of cypress wood from an old two-story barn; arts and crafts-style furniture and home accessories; kitchen utensils and cutting boards; and other items made from St. Louis trees.

The Newberrys, whose wood shop has been in operation for 15 years, obtain their wood from a variety of places. They bought some pickle vats that are 10 feet in diameter at an auction. A friend of a friend provided the wood from the barn.

Newberry said reclaimed wood looks better and is more durable than other kinds.  What's more, markets such as the one at the Garden provide an ideal setting for showcasing their work.

While the economy has led some prospective customers to delay work orders from the Newberrys, she said, it hasn't affected business at the market.

"People are just ready to make their move," Newberry said. Part of the event's fun is seeing past customers and hearing from people who are enjoying their goods or have shipped them to family and friends abroad, she said.

"We make useful things, that's our goal … but we always desire them to be beautiful," Newberry said.

Clayton piemaker to attend event for first time

resident Jane Callahan opened Pie Oh My! less than a year ago and will attend the market for the first time in October. She'll be showcasing her apple double-crust, apple crumble, pecan, pumpkin and caramel apple pecan pies in two of the sizes she offers. Buyers will be able to select from 9-inch pies or bite-size wee pies.

"I'm tickled to be included," said Callahan, noting that she and her family have been visiting the Garden for the past 20 years.

Callahan makes the pies by hand and generally delivers them in person. People can order pies for themselves or for others on occasions such as holidays and anniversaries.

While the workload varies on a weekly basis, she's been especially busy lately. That's because some of her pies are for sale at in Clayton and at several locations, including the DeMun branch.

She began her business by renting kitchen space in Brentwood and has since relocated her operation to St. Patrick Center's BEGIN New Venture Center in downtown St. Louis City.

"I've always loved to make pies," Callahan said. "I learned to make pies from my mom when I was growing up on our farm in Minnesota."

Callahan enjoys seeing the pie-making process from start to finish each day.

She tries to use local ingredients as much as possible: She placed a big order for Missouri pecans on Tuesday and is looking forward to using Missouri and Illinois apples this fall.

Outside of the upcoming market, orders may be placed using the Pie Oh My! website.

Jewelers from Clayton to sell one-of-a-kind artwork

Clayton resident Barbara Dean and her husband, Manfred Mueller, will be selling their one-of-a-kind jewelry at the upcoming market. It will be the fourth year they have participated. Market co-chair Nora Stern first invited them to be a part of the event.

"We try to emphasize beautiful color," said Dean, who spent 25 years working as a fashion director. Mueller worked as a food and beverage director. Together they operate D&M Designs, a company that also sells jewelry to high-end boutiques across the U.S. They have been making jewelry for more than 12 years.

The couple's jewelry features semi-precious stones, pearls and unique clasps. Their artwork at this year's event will reflect colors for fall and the holidays.

"It's a wonderful cross-section of very talented artists from Missouri," Dean said of the market.