Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mary Ann Berle of St. George takes a good look at ceramic Thanksgiving figurs at The Brick Marketplace (New Ulm Armory) at the GnomeMade Market Friday.

NEW ULM — Local traffic increased markedly as the 41st annual Gnomemade Market began at 20 locations Friday.

Among the most popular markets was The Brick Marketplace (New Ulm Armory) with lots of crafts and some ceramics.

Mary Ann Berle of St. George was particularly interested in Thanksgiving-themed ceramic pilgrims giving thanks offered by Linda Stark of New Auburn.

“Lots of people forget about Thanksgiving when Christmas things so early.” she said. “I think we have more to be thankful for than we give thanks for. I love Christmas. All I enjoy about Halloween is my great grandchildren coming over.”

She was especially touched by a ceramic figure of a woman holding up a large apron.

“I remember picking apples and eggs on the farm and putting them into an apron,” she said.

Berle bought the Thanksgiving-themed ceramic figures from Linda Stark.

“I still do ceramics. I still have a kiln in the basement and fire my ceramics. I have to go to Randolph, Minnesota, to get greenware (shaped clay before it is fired),” she said. “My husband Jim does the metal cutting and wood work. I do the painting. It’s a team effort and it takes time. I was up at 4 a.m. today, getting some work done. Ceramics is a hobby most people don’t do anymore. I’ve been doing it for 30 years.”

Stark says she attends many craft shows to get ideas and display wares.

Lindbacken Artisans Coordinator Kathy Covington said customers were lined up in the Lind House Friday.

“We’ve got everything from wood carving, knitting, jewelry, pillows, original paintings, quilts, pottery, cards, purses, Grinch and Santa Claus items including t-shirts, non-toxic lighters and beef tallow moisturizer, lip baum, baked goods and dish towels,” she said. “There will be a lot more customers Saturday when people are off work. Pillows, paintings and pottery were hot sellers.”

Cheyenne Sioux Runck of Fairfax said salted caramel pear butter was her favorite canned item at the New Ulm Momco Crafters market at Grace Community Church.

New Ulm Momco crafters are mothers with kids up to age 18 that meet three times a month at the church for encouraging, distraction-free conversation, relevant discussions and mutual support. Childcare is provided. More information can be found on Facebook.

Jayme Christensen said Christensen Customs, 815 N. Washington, specializes in live engraving.

“People can choose an ornament and we can do a personalized design and take their gift home on the spot. Ornaments are our best sellers during the holidays. I’m an artsy-craftsy person,” she said. “We’ve been doing custom laser art and design for three years. We sell engraved personal items and do 3D printing (three-dimensional object construction from a computer-aided design model or digital 3D model).”

The GnomeMade Market continues Saturday and Sunday.

The New Ulm Women’s Expo and Craft Fair is set for for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson Elementary School.