BSP News:
Beta Sigma Phi’s Xi Nu Chapter is hosting its 27th annual craft fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday at Crossroads Bible Church.
The event features more than 45 vendors kicking off the holiday season. Live music, baked goods and more than 50 raffle items are up for grabs for a $1 charge. Items include jewelry, wood crafts, fiber arts, traditional knitting, crochet, sewing and more.
“Several artists have been with us for over 10 or 15 years,” event coordinator Judy Lovejoy said. “Others skip a year or two and then come back. We will be having artists from Taos, Espanola, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and of course Los Alamos.”
Tanya Clark is one of those vendors. She is a jewelry maker featuring all types from amethyst to turquoise and has been since 1974. She considers her art a hobby and her favorite piece is a three strand, turquoise piece.
“My parents owned an arts and crafts store in Santa Clara Pueblo,” Clark said. “My mother taught me how to make string necklaces, my dad taught me silversmithing.”
The women of Beta Sigma Phi are all about learning more culturally and forming lasting friendships. To help others new to the area or at a stage of life when she moves herself higher on the list of priority, have they got a chapter for you. The chapters are obligated to service and raise funds to donate to others. The Xi Nu chapter donated almost $2,500 last year.
Some of the many recipients were the Los Alamos Family Council, Friends of Bandelier, Blankets and surprise bags to the Los Alamos Police Department for children being removed from unsafe conditions, the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children’s Hospital and adopted a girl in Africa whose parents passed away from AIDS, agreeing to pay for her education until she is 18.
Beta Sigma Phi members will bake up a storm and host a baked goods table at Saturday’s event. That additional fundraising opportunity allows shoppers to snack and stroll through the array of tables.
Additional vendors include an artist with recycled denim, photographers with framed and unframed art as well as note cards, ornaments and miniature Christmas trees, soap-makers, rosaries and more.
The highlight of the event is the final raffle ticket item, a handmade quilt by member Alice Garcia. Garcia and the whole Garcia clan push the event over the top by selling raffle tickets and some of the best jerky on the planet. Tickets are available at the door and if you live or work in Los Alamos, items are delivered at no charge.
