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Washington Evening Journal
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Crafters kick off holiday shopping season
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — The holiday shopping season began for craft vendors at the American Legion in Marengo Nov. 30.
Organized by Jim Phelps and Kim Long, the holiday craft show is in its second year at the new Legion location on North Court Avenue.
Jessica McKinstry learned woodworking from Phelps, her father, and joined him at the show last weekend, accompanied by her four-year-old daughter, Hayden.
“He bought a Cricut,” said McKinstry, and when she saw what could be done with it, she bought one for herself.
McKinstry took some time off from crafting for a while after having twins and is just getting back to creating, she said.
McKinstry makes home décor items for fun, “just kind of getting my feet wet,” she said. She’s sold her creations at a handful of events over the course of about five years.
Holidays are a good starting point for selling crafts, said McKinstry.
“My husband recently got me a laser engraver,” McKinstry said, so she can now personalize items that she sells.
Phelps has been woodworking for six years or more, he said. He learned the craft in high school and started it again a few years ago.
Phelps creates wooden flags and other patriotic items. He uses leftover wood from one project to create another. “I try to repurpose as much as a I can.”
Phelps tries to get to three or four shows a year. “It can kind of be hit and miss,” said Phelps of sales. Some shows bring in crowds, but others are sparse. It depends on what else is going on at the time.
Mary Lorenz visited with vendors while her daughter, Rebecca Oberg, of Conroy, offered alcohol ink products for sale.
Oberg colors bottles and other glass items with an alcohol-based ink. It can be used on anything non-porous, said Oberg.
“It’s a lot of fun to play with,” said Oberg. Especially when she sets it on fire.
Oberg has been using the medium for four or five years, she said. She learned the craft through online tutorials and hands-on learning.
“It’s a good stress relief,” Oberg said.
“A lot of people don’t know what it is, but they’re drawn to the color.” People put lights in the bottles or use them as vases. Some of the smaller bottles make colorful window decorations, Oberg said.
Oberg set up at the American Legion last year as well. “This is where we started,” she said. The show isn’t as big as the one in Victor, but it’s a good show, she said.
Brooke Schmidt’s table featured fidget toys shaped like Christmas trees, personalized lights and dragons with bodies jointed like snakes.
All of the items were made with 3D printers.
“It’s evolving,” said Schmidt of the method. She has two printers — one that makes single colors and one that creates in multiple colors.
Schmidt’s been making 3D-printed items for about a year. She used to make epoxy and sublimation tumblers. “I’m more into this now,” she said.
“The fidgets are really popular,” said Schmidt, a Marion resident. People also like the pencil cases and the night-lights.
Lily Hicks and Joan Seye were “just out and about, on the town,” they said. They wanted to support local sellers for Shop Small Town Saturday, visiting the Legion after getting coffee and cookies downtown.
Nicole Folkmann and a friend marveled at some of the items offered for sale. “Everybody’s really talented,” Folkmann said. “We live her in town, so we just wanted to see what it is.”
“I’ll probably end up buying The Grinch over here because he’s cute.”
Pam Vranek, of Chelsea, wrapped up a kitchen towel and scrubbers for Shirlee Hall, of Marengo. Hall goes to the craft show every year, she said. She looks for items with cardinals on them and always has to check out the Watkins products and the baked goods made by Vicky Koenig.
St. John’s Lutheran Youth Group served cinnamon rolls, coffee and cocoa, sloppy Joe’s and chicken noodle soup for a donation to the group.
