Image

Artists and artisans ready to make new friends Friday and Saturday in Petrolia

July 9, 2015

Betty McCready is looking forward to visiting with a lot of old friends at Art in the Park in Petrolia this weekend.

The Windsor woman who is the artisan behind Transformed Treasures is returning to Petrolia this Friday and Saturday for her fifth year of Art in the Park. McCready takes old silverware and transforms it into jewelry or angels and does the same for old tea cups.

“This is a good way to spread grandma’s silverware around,” she says.

McCready’s loves coming to Petrolia saying of the 15 shows she is involved with each year, she sells the most at Art in the Park. But that’s not why she loves the show.

“The setting is beautiful and the committee is wonderful; they really cater to their vendors and they have maintained a very high standard for vendors coming in,” she says.

“The committee has really made that show.”

But it is also the people strolling through the park which make McCready’s weekend. Sometimes the people helping at her booth are disappointed if they talk to a customer for a while but don’t sell anything. That doesn’t bother McCready in the least.

“If they want to buy it and take it home, that’s great. But if they want to enjoy it for the five minutes they’re at the booth, that’s fine, too.”

McCready’s low-pressure attitude means she spends a lot of time talking to the people who stop by and she says they’ve become like old friends.

“I love meeting the people – and people come back…I can carry on a conversation with someone and tell you details about them, but I couldn’t tell you their name,” she says with a laugh.

“You get to the point where you chatted with them enough it would embarrassing to ask what was your name.”

artisan category – different people appeal to different things

the friend who often helps me at the booth – upset when people left without buying

have no need or desire to buy it because I have so much stuff already….enjoy it and admire it without buying

Share This

Image
Front Page

OPP, Ontario Fire Marshal investigate Wyoming house fire

July 15, 2025

Lambton OPP are investigating after a house fire in Wyoming. Wyoming firefighters, paramedics and the OPP were called to a home on Zone Street Saturday just after lunch. There were no injures because the homeowners were away at the time. No details were given about amount of damage done. Police say the fire is suspicious and the Crime Unit is

Read More

Image
Front Page

Iced Out: Petrolia rec leagues say new ice times offside, could end league play

July 15, 2025

Petrolia ice times to get second look Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia will take a second look at the way its divvied up ice time this year after complaints senior hockey leagues are not being treated fairly. Recently, Julie Bullock, director of parks and recreation, completed the schedule for all the ice users. The town had received a request from Petrolia

Read More

Image
Front Page

Art for All at Petrolia’s Art in the Park

July 15, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Victoria Park was a busy place as visitors came for the annual Art in the Park Friday and Saturday as people came from all around to take in the artists and artisans. Here’s some of what we saw:

Read More

Image
Front Page

Crocheting senior of the year

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When she was in her 30s, a neighbour offered to teach Ruth Anne Mater to crochet. It looked fun, so she picked up a hook. It seems to many as though her hands have not been idle since. Monday, Mater was honoured as Dawn-Euphemia’s Senior of the Year. Mayor Al Broad says Mater “has been a quiet

Read More