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Christmas craft show draws 150 vendors to Expo Center in Niles
Photo
Ed Wentling of Farrell, Pa., demonstrates one of his cigar-box guitars at the Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Eastwood Expo Center in Niles. He has built more than 200 of the instruments that are patterned after guitars from the American southern bayou. His company is called Bayou Blues Guitars. He was at the show, which ran Friday through Sunday.
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
NILES
Handmade soaps, rugs, pottery and more were offered to holiday shoppers at the Eastwood Expo Center.
More than 150 vendors were at the Holiday Art, Craft and Gift Show, which ran Friday through Sunday, said Kelly Simon, coordinator. This was the first year for the event.
Home improvement and other product vendors also were at the show.
Debbie Phillips, owner of Ornaments and More, Greenville, Pa., rarely participates in Ohio shows.
“I thought it would actually be a good opportunity to get out in another arena,” she said.
Phillips sells hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments. Most are painted with snowmen or Santas. Her featured item is silverware ornaments. Spoons and knives are bent to hang on a Christmas tree, and she paints on the spoon bowl or knife blade. This year she branched out into painting sports images such as footballs on the silverware.
The holiday show was a bit slow, she said.
“But actually we’re doing pretty well,” Phillips added. “The people that have been by have been buying, so that’s a good thing.”
Rita Gruber and her daughter, Sarah, of Lowellville were looking for Christmas gifts and decorations.
Rita found a gift for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law and some items for her bathroom.
“They have a lot of unique stuff,” she said.
Sara agreed, adding that the event was fun.
Laura DiPiero of Boardman has a grandchild on the way. She attended hoping to find something handmade for the baby.
“I remember Raggedy Ann dolls and homemade afghans when I was younger, and I prize all those kinds of handmade things,” she said. “So I like to come to these and check out what everybody is doing.”
All-natural handmade soaps, lip glosses and shaving cream caught her eye.
“My daughter is vegan and very much into all the natural stuff,” she said.
The show was full of items not available in department stores, she noted.
The show also included music from artists such as Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson of Canfield and a concession stand. The event was sponsored by Simon Event Management, Greensburg, Pa.