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Spirit of the season
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
In the ensuing weeks, installing Christmas trees, shopping for gifts and decorating homes will be on many Mahoning Valley residents’ minds and to-do lists.
But those who have come across Lisa Rosenthal’s artwork might well add recycling and being more environmentally aware to their priority lists.
“To me, it’s the whole story of sustainability,” the Youngstown artist said about the pieces she designs that were created from recycled magazines, calendars, brochures and other such material.
Rosenthal, who runs a family business called Blue Dragon Craft that she began in 2000, also was among the estimated 40 regional and local painters, ironworkers and other vendors who displayed and sold some of their works during Sunday afternoon’s inaugural Holiday Craft Show at Stambaugh Auditorium.
The free, family-friendly six-hour holiday-themed gathering was in conjunction with the third annual Tuba Christmas concert, which featured 100 to 125 tuba and euphonium players, noted Dani Dier, Stambaugh’s events manager and director of production services.
A euphonium is a large baritone-voiced brass instrument that is slightly smaller than a tuba.
The performance featured a variety of traditional Christmas selections such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “We Three Kings,” “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells.” Joe Pellegrini, longtime leader of the Youngstown Area Community Concert Band, was guest conductor for “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Rosenthal explained that she works once a year with a group of traditional artisans from Vietnam who make the crafts she designs with upcycled paper, meaning the items can again be recycled. Products she sold during the craft show included vehicles, religion crosses, stars, hearts, puppets and trees, all made from paper.
“There’s so much material that can be upcycled, reclaimed or repurposed,” said Rosenthal, adding she also tries to environmentally-friendly.
Assisting the artist were her husband, Binh Hoang, and daughter, Vy Hoang.
A sample of merchandise for sale included silkscreen T-shirts from recycled material, handcrafted and iron horseshoes with Christmas-laden decorations, holiday-themed bandannas, coasters for $4 apiece, holiday baskets and gift sets, wooden pieces, Nativity sets, ornaments, silk scarves, chocolate pretzels and other candy, stocking caps and fiber-optic Christmas trees for $25 each.
Even the family pets were in the mix, as many attendees chose from a variety of organic, homemade treats, as well as tug toys and blankets.
Anyone who wished to buy anything glass as a gift for a family member or loved one likely found solid direction from Karen Ferguson.
“I’ve painted my whole life, since I was a child,” recalled Ferguson, who owns The Happy Hag Originals, a glass and ceramics business she opened about 18 months ago from her Liberty Township home. “I like the idea of taking something people are getting rid of and giving it new life.”
Ferguson, who had for sale wineglasses, candleholders created from upside-down glasses, snowmen and many other items, explained that she buys much of her glass from Goodwill Industries’ half-off sales, as well as from yard sales during the summer.
Such an approach likely is practical for Ferguson, because she takes part in at least one craft show every weekend beginning in September, she continued, adding she likes to “sell at reasonable prices because I buy them for reasonable prices.”
Some attendees may deal with stress often associated with the bustle and busyness of the holiday season, but they probably will get through this time of year in less pain, courtesy of Davina McPheron, who was selling soft rice pads of varying sizes. The crafted products, which can be warmed in a microwave oven or placed in a freezer then applied, are good remedies for neck and back pain, headaches, certain injuries and other common maladies, the Hubbard woman explained.
Also on hand was Santa Claus, who made an early Christmas appearance and welcomed those who sought to have their pictures taken with him.