The Xi Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will hold its annual craft fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Crossroads Bible Church on East Road. Courtesy photo
Sisterhood, celebration and the goal to help others will drive more than 30 years of craft fair experience that summons more than 50 vendors 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Crossroads Bible Church.
The dynamic dames of the Xi Nu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will serve it up again this Saturday, as they host their annual fundraiser to aid a large number of community projects.
“We come together from many different backgrounds in terms of life experiences, work, etc,” sister Judy Nekimken said. “We have a common belief of doing for others, growing ourselves, being a friend and of course, socializing together.”
Member Loree Lynch loves the craft fair vendors, every single one of them.
“We do our best to make their day comfortable, enjoyable and with any luck profitable–food, water, luxury breaks, and a wonderful venue,” Lynch said. “We want the vendors–the creators of art and all kinds of crafts–to thrive in an environment encompassing creativity with a capital C!”
Judy Lovejoy and Mary Ann Lindahl have coordinated a large variety of products to fill the hallways of the church. Jewelry, knitted and dyed yarns, crochet, ponchos, shawls, gourds, candles, henna tattoos, nativity scenes, herbal pillows, tooled leather and a Native artist with ceramic pots from the Acoma pueblo.
The craft fair sisters annually sell raffle tickets as an extra boost to their fundraising efforts. Throughout the day, they will auction off items from every vendor on site with a beautiful king-sized quilt as the final draw of the day. “The quilt which is made by our sister, Alice, is a beautiful Christmas quilt with intricate framing within the quilt,” Lindahl said. “You have to come and see it and get raffle tickets for yourself.”
Some of the vendors donating items include; handmade soaps & lotions by Martha & Acasia, woodwork by David Pelowitz like large scrabble pieces, intricate trivets, wall hangings, wood and stone inlay boxes and belt buckles by Tillery & Regina, new vendor Jose Garcia with hand carved stone fetishes and double sided carved shell necklaces and cork projects by the delightful Rotarian Skip King.
The fun doesn’t end there as the sisters are shaking and baking their tail feathers the night before the big day with homemade brownies, rice crispy treats and more. The snacks are sold side by side with coffee, tea or cocoa to allow the shopper to take a slow, meandering stroll through the fair.
The sisters are thankful to the four other Beta Sigma Phi Chapters that have allowed for their success each and every year.
