Downtown Mathews bustled on Friday as shoppers wended their way down Main Street, visiting businesses, crowding into restaurants, and giving local merchants a boost in sales.

County residents were out and about, mingling with out-of-town guests who came for the Open Studio Tour and couldn’t resist a few extra stops along the way.

Jo You of the Mathews Art Gallery said 80 guests had dropped by over a five-hour period on Friday, a good portion of them purchasing pottery, prints, cards, and other items.

Nearby, Karyn Austin of Dilly Dally Emporium said the two original tapestry collections she designed and had woven on looms in North Carolina were flying off the floor as fast as she could make them. Using the fabric, Austin handmade a wide variety of items, including tree skirts, tote bags, mini banners, bell pulls, pillows, table runners, placemats, hot pads, and ornaments. Also popular were toys by Melissa and Doug. Austin said she’ll have new Christmas items coming ...