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This article was prepared for the November 20, 2002 edition of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
For Crafters, the Place to Be
They say if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. But the
29-year-old YWCA Crafters’ Marketplace is pleased to be growing again
this year, and doing so in a new setting, the Princeton Day School.
The Marketplace is a juried craft show showcasing more than 150 professional
artisans from eight states. They will be exhibiting original handmade
jewelry, pottery, clothing, and many other gift items. In addition
to shopping for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, you can have lunch at
the cafe and purchase homemade baked goods from the Cinnamon and Spice
Corner. Proceeds from this event benefit the Pearl Bates Scholarship
fund, which enables economically disadvantaged community members to
participate in YWCA programs.
"We are in our 29th year and last year’s attendance was over 4,000,
so we have a pretty strong following, including people who travel
some distance to attend," says Laura Snook, this year’s volunteer
in charge of crafters.
Snook has been involved with YWCA for 15 years, a member of its board
of directors for six years, and active in the crafters marketplace
for last five years. In addition to her volunteer work, Snook is an
owner of Alta Technologies, a Pennington firm that manufactures monofilament
braiding sleeving used in the electrical, communication, and medical
industries.
Crafters Marketplace started at YWCA itself. Over the years it has
been held at the Stuart School and most recently at John Witherspoon
School. Last year the group learned it would need a new location for
2002 due to renovation at the school.
The fair will be using the Princeton Day School main building, all
from the reception area, the gymnasiums, dining halls (which is also
the location of the Newcomers Cafe), the Anne Reid Art Gallery, all
the way through the school.
Crafters for this year’s show were judged by slide submissions reviewed
by two three-person juries. "We do jury with gift giving in mind,"
says Snook. "We look at product and pricing so people who do not
have a lot of money to spend as well as collectors will find crafts
here."
"The show has built a reputation. We received a lot of calls from
people who heard about our show from other crafters and some people
we pursue." Members of the organizing committee attend other fairs
and offer applications to crafters who impress them. This spring,
contacts were made at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution craft
show in Washington, D.C. Snook reports that at least two of this year’s
new YWCA crafters were referred by exhibitors at the Smithsonian show.
The Y’s show is a fund raiser. The booth rental charge goes primarily
toward fair costs; public admission fees go to the Pearl Bates Scholarship
Funds to enables families with with financial difficulties the opportunity
to participate in all the Y’s activities from adult classes to children’s
after-school programs.
Day School, Great Road, 609-497-2100. Crafts, cafe lunch and baked
goods to benefit the Pearl Bates Scholarship Fund. Admission is $6
per day, $10 for a two-day pass, $5 for seniors and under 16. Children
under 6 attend for free, but strollers are not allowed. Saturday
and Sunday, November 23 and 24, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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