Craft show set for next week

10th annual Cranbury Craft Show set for March 10 through March 11 at the Cranbury School.

By: Lacey Korevec
   Allentown resident Diane Feigenbaum knows just the right way to dry flowers like hydrangea to create the perfect floral arrangement.
   Dale Pilling, of Marlboro, makes sterling necklaces, bracelets and earrings using pliers and wire to create her own unique link designs.
   East Windsor resident Debra Dodson also specializes in jewelry-making. By bringing together beads in creative color combinations, she creates "contemporary, artsy, handcrafted jewelry" that she says can’t be found anywhere else.
   These crafters, along with over 100 others bearing unique handbags, pottery, decorative, wooden bowls and much more, will be heading to Cranbury next weekend for the 10th annual Craft Show, sponsored by the Cranbury Education Foundation.
   The event, set to take place March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cranbury School, raises money for school initiatives while providing locals with two days of shopping and fun.
   "It brings in lots of people from the community," Cranbury School Chief School Administrator Carol Malouf said. "And really, it helps us show off our school to the community at large. And we do have a beautiful facility. It just demonstrates the partnership and support that the whole community has for the school."
   Established in 1997, the Cranbury Education Foundation is a nonprofit group that works with the school, local businesses and community members to build resources to enhance education and services at Cranbury School.
   Last year the Cranbury Education Foundation raised about $17,500 from the event. The money was used to purchase new wipe boards and bulletin boards for six of the primary grade classrooms.
   Deanna Anderson, president of the Education Foundation and Craft Show co-chair, said the group has set its sights high this year.
   "I hope that we can raise somewhere between $18,000 and $20,000 this year," she said. "That would make it our biggest show yet."
   Ms. Anderson said the money raised this year will go toward purchasing a new lighting system for the school auditorium. Ms. Malouf said the cause is a good one.
   "We renovated (the auditorium) and put the acoustical ceiling in and the sound system in and the last thing that needs to be done is the stage lighting so that it can be a complete performing arts auditorium that the community and the school can use," she said.
   The Craft Show costs $4 for adults to attend, $2 for senior citizens and $1 for children under 14. Once there, community members can buy kettle corn, soups, chocolates and more, and of course, shop.
   Proof of admission can also be used those same days at North Main Street stores Patina Home, Charmed by Claire and Pied Piper Kids, where shoppers can use the tickets to take $5 off any purchase over $25, Ms. Anderson said.
   "We did that last year and it was a huge success," she said. "People left the show, they walked through town, they got something to eat, so it was really an added element last year."
   Ms. Anderson said the Craft Show is perfect for the whole family. Parents are invited to bring their kids to the Children’s Center, where children ages 3 to 12 will be supervised by volunteers free of charge.