Farmer’s Market: Designing women meet gift-giving needs

Special to the Green Valley News

On the shady upper level of the Green Valley Farmer’s Market you’ll find gorgeous gifts hand made by neighbors Ann Larocca and Ruth Jacobsen, also known as Two Designing Ladies.

When Ann retired, she chose to put more time into her beloved crafts. Then she went to a Quail Creek craft show and discovered her backyard neighbor was also an incredibly talented crafter. They formed a strong partnership.

”We like to travel together, too,” Ruth says. “We like to shop for new ideas, both in and out of state.”

Ann pops in, “We’re always together!”

The duo made the decision to merge as “Two Designing Ladies” for the Green Valley Farmer’s Market. Ruth says, “Annie (market organizer Annie Duncan) has really been terrific. She is so supportive.” She adds, “We meet so many nice vendors and we absolutely love talking to the shoppers at the market.”

“I’m amazed how many people still have not been to the Farmer’s Market,” Ruth says. Weekly, the women meet and talk with first-time market goers who stop by their space and admire the gift items. “And they always come back to us,” she adds. “We make things people can really use.”

Ann adds, “We strive to keep the prices reasonable for the people who shop at the Farmer’s Market, too.”

The pair recently added beaded wine sets to their repertoire of gift items.

“I do high-end accessories and gifts, I do NOT do jewelry,” Ann said.

Ruth’s sewing expertise is featured with adorable pet blankets, a huge variety of cell phone pouches and something absolutely everyone appreciates, upscale fabric paperback book covers in designs that will make anyone happy.

Each product is original, “We always have something no one else has at craft shows,” they agree. “We’re also unusual because we do really high quality, that’s what Ruthie really strives for, too,” Ann says.

Beautiful, hand made gifts are what people really want to give and receive, but they’re often hard to find. Ruth and Ann agree that their customers always find that “something special” in their selections. Whether it’s a gift for a hostess, a graduate, a father or a friendship gift, these ladies have you covered.

These ladies fill a need with artistic aplomb. So too with our market, so come down and ‘Shop The Market First’ every Wednesday morning.

“I didn’t know there were so many great things out there — there’s just so much,” Ruth says.

IF YOU GO

Green Valley Farmer’s Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Green Valley Village, Esperanza Boulevard and La Canada Drive.