Oralie O’Neil of Buckfield crochets inside the Lewiston Elks Lodge during the Christmas Fair Sunday. The hanging towels she makes are among some of the items she was selling at her Appy Everafter Farm and Fiber table with other vendors at the annual fair themed “Candy Cane Lane.” (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
LEWISTON — The sound of Christmas music drifted through the hall while the smell of holiday spices filled the air Sunday at the annual craft fair at the Elks Lodge in Lewiston. To many of the vendors there, the scene was a familiar one.
Every year, local artists attend craft fairs to tempt consumers into giving the gift of homemade. Some do it for the money, some for the community, and others just enjoy making something by hand.
For Regina Kahkonen of Poland, it’s about making a difference. Every year, she attends about four fairs, and all the proceeds from her sales go to the Central Maine Adaptive Sports program at Lost Valley, which offers specialized skiing equipment for folks with disabilities.
Lauren Odiorne of Lewiston also makes goodies for a good cause. Her small business, Daisy Loo Designs — named after her beloved dog who passed away — donates all its funds to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society. Odiorne evens hosts some of her own craft fairs, dubbed Pause for Pets. Her last one raised over $2,500 for the shelter.
In addition to helping others, producing works of art also helps the artists themselves.
“This is my sanity, to be honest. Now that I’m disabled, this is what I do in my ample free time. It relaxes me,” said Odiorne.
For Becky Perry of Buckfield and Lorosa Heights Designs, it’s a “creative outlet.”
“I love to paint, and if I didn’t sell my things, I’d have no room in my house,” she said.
Rosemarie Jarochym of Litchfield enjoys the “meet and greet” aspect of craft fairs, and does some shopping herself in addition to selling her own goods.
“Sometimes I buy more than I sell, but it’s all good. It supports local Maine artists and it supports the neighborhood,” she said.
Perry also believes craft fairs support the local community.
“There’s a lot of talent in every community I’ve been in, and the crafts are unique, a lot of re-purposing, and it helps the economy when people buy locally,” said Perry.
For Allysyn Gervais of Greene, craft fairs are a way to spend time with her mother, and see her talents appreciated.
“My mom does (fairs) with me. She can grab a toilet paper roll and make something beautiful. I can’t brag about my mom enough, she’s my true inspiration,” said Gervais, who attends about 20 craft fairs per year.
“People like homemade,” said Odiorne.
emarquis@sunmediagroup.net
Check the Sun Journal and sunjournal.com for a full list of local craft fairs this holiday season.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
