Crafters put wares on display

Easter bunnies shared the room

with wooden bowls, painted lamp­
shades, jewelry and Beanie Babies,
to name but a few of the items.
By: Linda J. Field
   
   Last Saturday dawned clear and sunny, despite strong winds blowing across Lawrence and in through the open doors of the Lawrence Middle School. It was the day of the annual Craft Show at the school and crafters from near and far gathered to display their wares and make some sales.
   Easter bunnies shared the room with wooden bowls, painted lampshades, jewelry and Beanie Babies, to name but a few of the items.
   Held by the Lawrence Middle School PTO, the sale was chaired by Rachel Sims who stepped in at the last minute to take charge of the annual event.
   “Teresa Oreshon laid the groundwork,” said Ms. Sims. “I just followed what she did, as former chair. The proceeds will be used for the kids. We’ll partially fund the eighth-grade trip to Broadway this spring, as well as helping the seventh-graders go to Medieval Times. This is a fun event. I have a seventh-grader attending the school now.”
   In the cafeteria, hot dogs, pizza and hoagies were sold along with brownies, cookies and sodas.
   There also was a plant sale, with flowers purchased by the PTO from Willis Greenhouses. Three students waited on customers eager to take advantage of the warm weather to stock up on pansies and geraniums for their yards.
   “Business has been good,” said seventh-grader Janet Dickey. “If I wasn’t here, I’d probably be out playing tennis.”
   “The pansies and geraniums are popular,” said Megan Kirk, a seventh-grader at LMS. “One favorite part of my time at LMS is the last school trip which is a picnic at Rosedale Park.”
   “I’m helping out by getting lunch orders for the crafters,” said seventh-grader Alex Erhardt.
   Customers of all ages were intrigued by items on display at many tables in the auditorium of the middle school, including Aleesha Newell, a second-grader at Eldridge Park Elementary School.
   “I got a bracelet,” she said, sorting through the Beanie Babies found at the sale. “The craft fair is okay.”
   “It’s a wonderful event,” said Lori Tennant. “It’s nice that so many people turned out even with the beautiful weather. My sister is here from New York with her crafts.”
   Waiting for customers behind a pile of pillows, embroidered towels, fabric handbags and lined baskets was Sue Nigro, who shared the table with Sharron Fouratt.
   “I’m retired from ETS,” said Ms. Nigro. “During September and October, Sharron and I set aside one day every week to work on our crafts all day. She’s the artist, and I’m the seamstress. I much prefer doing table linens and pillows than clothing — they don’t have to fit.”
   Another popular stop at the craft show was the table occupied by Lynne Raleigh of Southampton. She displayed her bead jewelry and earrings made with semi-precious stones in silver or gold-filled settings. Some customers came back more than once to make purchases.
   “This is my favorite table right here,” admitted Joyce Erhardt, admiring the earrings. “I’m a jewelry fanatic. I do make doll clothes, but I don’t sell at shows.”
   Eileen Whang, preschool teacher and member of the LMS PTO board, was pleased with what she discovered at the sale.
   “I bought things for my classroom,” she said. “I especially like the jewelry and painted plates that were on sale here.”
   Redecorating can be a chore, but help was to be found at LMS and the crafters.
   “I came, but I don’t really like arts and crafts,” said Tina Faiola. “I wanted to see what’s in the works. We just started redecorating our finished basement, so I’m looking for things to use down there.”
   “I love to come to craft shows,” said Debbie Evans, who attended the show with her daughter, Ashley. “It’s a place to find out what’s new and what people are doing. I’m always amazed at people’s talents. I have a jug lamp and would love to get one of these painted lampshades for it.”
   The day ended and winter returned, at least on Sunday, but pleasant thoughts of spring stayed with those who attended the LMS Craft Show.