Charlestown	UPDATED: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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Made at Charlestown

Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008

By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Each year, Irene Hannon looks forward to the craft sale at Charlestown, and it’s not just because she’ll get to show off her beautiful, handmade jewelry.

“I enjoy meeting people, even if they don’t buy anything,” says Hannon. “It’s a nice opportunity to talk and see what everyone else is working on.”

More than 30 talented men and women displayed their wares at this year’s two-day bazaar, which featured everything from fine needlecrafts and seasonal greeting cards to handpainted clothing, handbags, and jewelry. Relishes, jellies, jams, pickles, and other homemade treats were also on sale.

Precious gems
“It’s one of our most popular events,” says Bernadine Smiley, community resources coordinator at Charlestown. “We’ve got such a talented group of people living here. The crafts show allows them to showcase their talents and share their creativity.”

Hannon has always had a knack for crafts.

“At any time, there were crafts projects covering my dining room table,” says Hannon, who typically spends a few hours to a day on each piece. When it comes to making her jewelry, she’s always striving to keep up with the trends. “I try to make things colorful and do a lot of designs from the ‘40s and ‘50s—they seem to catch the ladies’ fancy. I also try to keep up with what’s popular. This year, I’ve noticed heavily strung beads are in vogue,” she adds.

No matter how fashionable the jewelry may be, Hannon aims to keep it affordable; it ranges from $3.50 for a broach to $5 for an earring and necklace set. “I want people to enjoy them, so I try to price them so they’re not terribly expensive,” she says.

One-of-a-kind finds
Fellow crafter Stephanie Weiss was also at the sale, showcasing her handmade Christmas ornaments. The one-of-a-kind decorations capture holiday scenes ranging in size from 2 1/2 to 8 inches in diameter.

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“I start out with a standard Christmas ball and embellish it with all kinds of decorations—things that are normally used in the home at Christmastime,” says Weiss. “I might use greens, miniature cardinals, angels, Nativity scenes—it can be anything under the sun. I put them together to tell a story.”

Weiss estimates each ornament takes eight hours to complete. They start at $15 because she only charges for the cost of materials.

“It’s fun, and I like the fact that people find enjoyment from them,” says Weiss. “I enjoy the creative act of making them and producing something that gives me a sense of accomplishment. It gives me an appreciation for things that separately may not mean a lot, but when you put them all together, you end up with a statement.”

With more than 400 people attending this year’s craft fair, most of the wares were gone by the first afternoon. Tired but happy with their success, Charlestown crafters were already planning what they would make for next year’s fair as they packed up their displays.