The crafters group at Woodcrest Villa, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, has been busy at work creating items for the annual craft fair that will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community's VIVA Centre.
"We have different ideas and different crafts than what we had before," volunteer craft coordinator Shirl Fitzsimmons said. "We have some beautiful fabric Christmas trees. They sit on tabletops. We expect those to be our big seller this year. They're very unusual and stunning."
The crafters have also made a lot of ornaments, candy dishes, and other seasonal items as well as antlered holiday critters.
"We have a different kind of reindeer every year, and they always sell (well)," Fitzsimmons commented.
The group will offer past favorites as well. They have made quite a few wreaths, more than last year, as they are a popular seller. Additionally, spring-themed items will be offered at bargain prices.
The group members meet nearly every Friday morning in the craft room of the VIVA Centre. Membership has been steadily increasing as more people move into Woodcrest Villa. "We have a lot of fun. They get to know people and develop familiarity with the community," Fitzsimmons said. "It's a good group of women, and we enjoy each other's company."
In addition to the joy of camaraderie, the crafters persist because crafting is one of the best ways to keep their brains active as they age, Fitzsimmons related. "We give them guidelines, but they are free to be creative," she said.
Whatever does not sell at the craft fair will be available for purchase in the craft room. Members of the public who know Woodcrest Villa residents may shop the items as residents' guests. To residents of Woodcrest, the crafters offer gift wrapping, costume jewelry repair, and simple sewing services throughout the year. The proceeds from these services and craft sales benefit benevolent care at Woodcrest Villa and Mennonite Home Communities. Thanks to its total efforts, the group made $5,150 for benevolent care last year, Fitzsimmons reported.
The craft fair on Nov. 9 will feature 25 individual vendors who are Woodcrest Villa residents, staff members, or family members. They will offer handcrafted jewelry, framed art, notecards, holiday decor, totes, scarves, hats, gloves, ornaments, wood turnings, gloves, afghans, fretwork, stuffed dolls, wreaths, cookies, and plants. A food stand will sell coffee and doughnuts in the morning and hot dogs and sauerkraut for lunch.
For more information about the craft fair, readers may call Fitzsimmons at 717-984-2720.
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