The first year Moishe Ragieme opened his Monte Verde Art Glass Studio to the public as part of the N.H. Open Doors weekend, he noticed a lack of participation in Manchester for the statewide event. So he approached the owners of the Waumbec Mill in the Manchester Millyard, where his studio is located, rented a small space next to his, and offered it to other craftsmen and artisans in the city whose studios weren't set up for retail traffic.

That was four years ago. Since then, six to 10 other vendors have set up shop next door to Monte Verde each year, as Ragieme created a sort of handcrafters' mini-mall.

"We've become a destination stop on the tour," he said. "People now feel we are a place to come to because there are several artists they can see in one stop."

Strength in numbers is at the heart of the N.H. Open Doors weekend on Saturday and Sunday, a promotional event designed to showcase all things made in New Hampshire from every corner of the state. The program website at nhopendoors.com lists more than 350 vendors, offering everything from agricultural attractions to sports and recreation equipment, and lots of arts and crafts.

Open Doors started as a collaboration among members of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen eight years ago - with league members opening their studios to the public for the two-day event. NH Made, a branding organization with more than 800 members statewide, joined as a co-sponsor three years later. The state Department of Tourism is also involved.

Participants in the tour can go to the Open Doors website, select one of six regions in the state, and map out a drive that takes them from one location to another. In addition to a variety of artisans in all media, offerings include fresh products from farm stands and orchards, fine cuisine and wines at participating restaurants, and a variety of special events, including craft demonstrations and workshops, hayrides, food samplings and musical performances.

Many of the locations offer hands-on opportunities.

"That's probably one of the biggest selling points for the event," said Ragieme, "because although people do like my work, they also like the idea that they can come and make things themselves."

Trish Ballantyne, executive director of NH Made, said the Open Doors weekend has been a draw for tourists and New Hampshire residents alike.

"Our hope is that if people are from New Hampshire, they will go to another part of the state as a tourist," she said. "I think that sometimes we need to do that in our own state to get acquainted with what we have in our own back yard ... see the wonderful products being made and the people behind those products. That's at the heart of what this weekend is all about."

Ballantyne had no hard numbers on how many people the weekend attracts to the various venues, but is hoping that a passport contest on the event website will help organizers get a better sense of who is participating, and where they are going. Anyone who downloads the "passport" from the website and has it "validated" at 10 locations will be entered into a drawing for seven different prizes, ranging from a one-night stay for two at Carlson's Lodge on Twin Mountain to a gift basket worth $50 from Just Naturals in Bedford.

Hurricane Sandy doesn't appear to have dampened the event, according to Ballantyne. "It's been on our minds," she said, "but we're hopeful that people are getting their power back, and I believe all the roads will be open by then. We'll post any updates on our website."

Ragieme said visitors should not be concerned about the road closures in Manchester due to the Manchester Marathon on Sunday, as the Commercial Street area should be open to traffic by 10 a.m.

Open Doors presents an opportunity to see the creative process in action, participate in some cases, and boost the state's economy, Ballantyne said. "When dollars are spent locally with these local, independent craftspeople and artists, it's good for them and it's just better for the economy," she said. "People are continually amazed by all that's being done in this state, and they love discovering it."

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Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.