Black Friday Martha’s Vineyard-style

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Jewelry by Monica Fernandes, on sale at Wendy Weldon's Studio Sale this weekend. — Photo by Katryn Yerdon

If you think you must head off Island to take advantage of Black Friday sales, you would be mistaken. Island stores have banded together to offer a host of amazing sales to help you get a jump-start on your holiday shopping.

Main Street in Vineyard Haven is a good place to start: Rainy Day‘s eighth annual Black Friday Early Bird sale starts at 7:30 am. It might behoove you to arrive much earlier if you would like a special gift to start the morning off right. The first 25 people in line will receive a free gift — think Frasier Fir Candles, sea salted caramels, or an ornament, and the first three people in line get a super gift.

FYI: last year’s first in line received a $75 gift certificate to the store and if you think waiting in line might not be worth it, know that the staff arrive at 6 am to get ready, which includes passing out hot cocoa and baked goods to those waiting. Even if you don’t want to get up to try for one of the 25 first place spots, it still is worth arriving before 9:30 am to receive a coupon worth 25 to 50 percent off your entire purchase. This coupon can be used all day, but don’t be late as they will stop giving them out promptly at 9:30 am. For your enjoyment, they have already placed the last ornament on their trees and are ready for you to shop within their five major themes: gingerbread men, forest critters, vintage home, seaside, and of course kid’s ornaments.

CB Stark Jewelers is again doing its special offerings all weekend, with a special treat for those willing to arrive between 7:30 and 9:30 am on Friday morning. For the entire weekend, CB Stark offers 10 percent off storewide and for those Friday early birds, you will get to pull a ticket worth and additional 10, 20 or 30 percent off your purchase. While you are there, you might want to check out their 50 percent off cabinet: it is currently full of wonderful items.

Midnight Farm hosts a Thanksgiving Weekend Sale that includes all clothing, shoes, furniture, lighting, bedding, and more. They decided to reward some of those late sleepers with an afternoon extravaganza that offers 30 to 50 percent off during their Opening Party on Friday from 3 to 6 pm to celebrate their new home. Refreshments will be served while you peruse the two floors of unique items.

The Green Room will be open 10 am to 7 pm Friday and Saturday, offering a weekend-long sale of 20 percent off denim, shoes, boots, as well as sweaters to help everyone get ready for winter. Further, if you spend $100 on North Face products, you will receive a free bag worth $20.

Bespoke Abode is also having a weekend-long, storewide sale of up to 50 percent off starting on Friday at 9 am. Further, on Saturday, the store has partnered with American Express to offer you $25 statement credit if you purchase an item for $25 or more. To learn more about this great offer, visit americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/.

If you’re looking to do some good while shopping, visit Vineyard Vines on Winter Street in Edgartown between 9 and 11 am on Friday. Enjoy light breakfast foods and juices while shopping and supporting the Tisbury Class of 2013. All will receive a 10 percent off discount and they will also give 10 percent of each purchase to the class so that they may go on their annual trip to Washington, D.C.

Around the corner on North Summer Street, Once in a Blue Moon will be open from 10 am to 5 pm all weekend, hosting its major sale of the year with clothes being predominantly 50 to 75 percent off. There is also a fabulous selection of bangles and bracelets available in the under $40 range and a lot of earrings in the $30 to $40 range.

Oak Bluffs is also a hotbed of sales, with daRosa’s hosting an unheard-of sale beginning on Friday and running through December 31. They are offering a 20 percent discount on all cash purchases that are not already reduced products. Included in this discount are printing for personalized notepads, business cards, personal stationary, and Christmas Cards that can be personalized or plain. Head in now to beat the rush.

In the heart of the island, across from the Airport, is Vineyard Decorators which offers 10 percent off storewide both Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Take this opportunity to shop for everything from new bedding to new living room furniture and accessories.

Up-Island, visit the Wendy Weldon Studio Sale in Chilmark. Ms. Weldon, a well-known Vineyard artist, will open her studio to sell her paintings, monotypes, and drawings. Also included in her open studio will be a selection of her cousin Monica Fernandes’s one-of-a-kind jewelry collection, wire-wrapped stones that are both an artistic statement and infused with energetic holistic properties. For directions and to make your personal studio viewing appointment, between 11 am and 4 pm both Friday and Saturday, call Ms. Weldon at 508-645-3199. You may also preview the artists work at wendyweldon.com or lisbonstyle.com.

Not to be outdone by the individual stores, we have shopping events for your pleasure. First is the Holiday Gifts Antique Show and Sale at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, this Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Here you will find a variety of multi-dealer collections from historical Campground homes to treasures from abroad.

Also in West Tisbury is the much anticipated 16th annual Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Festival from 10 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday. This event highlights more than 85 Vineyard artisans’ jewelry, glass, ceramics, clothing, book art, and more.

Another artisan opportunity is the 10th annual Holiday Gift Show at Featherstone in Oak Bluffs. It is open daily from 12 noon to 4 pm from now through December 19, and it highlights dozens of Vineyard artisans’ affordable gifts ranging from $5 to $250.

Other family fun events include the Fiber Fair at Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, and Felix Neck’s Fall Festival in Edgartown from 11 am to 3 pm on Friday. At the Fiber Fair, find demonstrations of spinning, knitting, and fiber arts along with gifts and clothing by local artists. Kids will love the farm tours, popcorn, face painting, and more. The 22nd Annual Fall Festival includes hayrides, face painting, live music, food, wreath making, and more.

This is just a sampling of the amazing sales and events offered on Island this holiday weekend. Some others are Crane Appliance, Bananas, and Beetlebung.