Artisans at the Harbor Features the Familiars of Cape Cod
Artisans at the Harbor (formerly the Falmouth Art Market) features The Familiars of Cape Cod on Thursday, July 24, from 1 to 3 PM. The arts and crafts market takes place every Thursday from 11 AM to 4 PM, through August 28, at Falmouth Marine Park, 180 Scranton Avenue, in Falmouth. The event is free and open to the public.
The Familiars of Cape Cod will perform from 1 to 3 PM at the Lin Whitehead Bandshell. They play acoustic folk, fiddle, country, and Americana music from the 1950s through 1990s. The band includes Manny Dias on vocals and guitar, Linda Dias on violin, mandolin, harmonica, Irish whistles and Celtic harp, Frank Carotenuto on vocals and guitar, and Bob Nelson on bass.
Bring folding chairs and/or blankets to best enjoy the show.
Diane Precourt is the coordinator of Artisans at the Harbor, the new name of the 18-year-old Falmouth ArtMarket, now under the sponsorship of ArtsFalmouth, Inc. She has been participating in, and organizing, craft shows on the Upper Cape for more than 10 years and was delighted to take on the responsibility of guiding Artisans at the Harbor through its transition.
“I am thrilled to be able to help the art market thrive and grow,” she said. The owner of Buddha Buns, Ms. Precourt creates Zafu cushions, Japanese sleeping pillows, Yoga eye pillows, and more., in a variety of soothing and eye-catching fabrics.
“This market holds great personal significance for me,” she said. “In 2014, I began selling the items I design and create after a severe car accident, which left me unable to work for two years. I initially sold products I made for myself to help alleviate the pain I was experiencing, particularly due to my traumatic brain injury and damage to my occipital nerve, which originates from the brain stem. While this may seem like too much information, it is a vital part of my story.”
As she shared her creations, her customers began to request similar items that could provide them with relief and comfort. Many of these pieces became staples in her product line.
“Over a decade later, this market remains a crucial part of my life,” Ms. Precourt said. “The community of Cape Cod crafters is where I truly feel at home, surrounded by like-minded individuals who embody the spirit of the Cape.”
Ms. Precourt spent months researching the history of the traditional Zafu cushion, and her design is based on this history. Zafu is loosely translated as “sewn seat,” and, although the zafu is a utilitarian accessory, these cushions are well known for use in meditation. They raise the hips, making the entire range of the cross-legged sitting positions more stable for meditating.
She chooses fabrics with care, making sure they wash and dry well, and fills the cushions with buckwheat hulls in a pillow insert. The buckwheat hulls conform to a person’s sitting posture and ease pressure off of the tailbone and hips, which in turn improves the sitting posture and brings the spine into alignments, she explained.
“Even though I handcraft each cushion based on this design, no two really come out exactly the same,” said Ms. Precourt. “One of the best parts of the process is the joy I get in seeing how a customer decides which cushion resonates with them.
“I am always thinking about new designs and keeping my eyes and mind open for new ideas,” she said. “I invite everyone to come down to the market to see these cushions for themselves and to enjoy a summer afternoon outside, enjoying the music and the wide variety of handmade creations—and creative people—that the we have to offer.
For more information about Artisans at the Harbor, visit artisansattheharbor.com.
Notes on The Arts 