Carson students benefit from annual craft fair

With more than 120 vendors scheduled to be at Carson High School's 14th annual craft fair on Friday and Saturday, Christmas shoppers should get a good start on their lists.

"We have gifts for anybody and everybody on your list," said coordinator Kathy Barbie. "Vendors will have jewelry, pottery, ornaments and wreaths, quilts and clothing, baby afghans and baby clothing, pet clothing and harnesses and leashes, holiday yard decorations, and Boggeri Farms will have their nuts and fruits."

Carson City resident Wendy Talbot is participating for the fifth year. She makes ornaments.

"The ornaments are about 2 inches in diameter," Talbot said. "The artist design is copywritten, but I do the design application from the template. I do all the hard work."

Talbot's ornaments are made of brass, copper and silver and are acid etched. The metals are layered together for different depths and views of the subject, then soldered and buffed, polished, pounded and packaged.

"There is a slightly concave shape to them," Talbot said. "And a hook for hanging. I also make necklaces so people can wear them after the holidays. They come in more than 100 designs like a downhill skier, fly fisherman, name droppers and a Christmas line.

"I must say Kathy is doing an excellent job with this craft fair. She deserves much credit."

Entertainment and food also will be available the two days of the craft fair. Food will be provided by Carson City Barbecue, students in the high school culinary arts program and Maui Wowie Juice. There also will be pizza and pumpkin pies.

For entertainment, the Carson High Chamber Singers and Capital Stars will perform, as well as the Native American Club, Positive Energy dancers, Hawaiian hula dancers, Wild Horse Children's Theater, Capital Christian School Singers, a barbershop quartet and the Carson High School Jazz Band.

"Last year, we barely topped $15,000 in proceeds. We're hoping to get about that figure this year. Most of the proceeds are from the vendor fee paid for booth rental," Barbie said.

"The money helps 25 different groups who help set up and tear down the craft fair, like Skills USA, baseball, basketball, football, culinary arts, leadership, Pride and more.