With the arrival of the new year, many island residents and visitors will be looking to spruce up their homes or just adding something special to their decor. Later this month, vendors and crafters from throughout the island area will be providing a prefect opportunity to purchase something special or unique. The St. James Hobby Club will host its annual Vendors Day Sale on Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning at 8 a.m., at the St. James City Civic Center.
“This is a great time to see and purchase home-made items from our islands’ best artisans and craft people,” said organizer Josie Ferguson. “It is our hope that people will come out, enjoy a great breakfast and lunch and shop for reasonably priced art and craft items.”
The day will begin with a big country breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and sausage gravy, juice and coffee to be served from 8 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a lunch of pulled pork with trimmings and a desert in the form of a home-baked brownie from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature items like paintings, wooded creations, machine stitched clothing and totes, knitted and crochet items, pine needle crafts, jewelry and decorative pieces made with shells and much more.
Vendor tables will be set up both inside and outdoors at the civic center with a sale table, glassware, candles and plants. Also on hand will be Frank Tuma, who will play island-style music throughout the event and those looking for fresh fruits and vegetables will find Barbie’s produce among the items at this year’s sale.
According to Ferguson, all proceeds from this event help to support the charitable work done by the Hobby Club each year.
“All of the money we make from the sale and the raffles goes for purchasing supplies and materials to provide items that we make to various charities,” said Ferguson, “All of what we do goes right back into the community.”
The Hobby Club has made hundreds of knitted, crochet and sewn lap robes and bedspreads to donate to seniors in nursing homes, as well as items for the abused women’s shelter and has made and sent knitted caps for members of our nation’s military serving overseas.
In addition to the breakfast, lunch and sale, the members of the Hobby Club will offer chances on several raffles. Among them will be a $100 money tree as well as an Arbonne basket full of products. Arbonne produces is an exclusive line of beauty and health care items utilizing natural and botanical ingredients.
Also offered will be a raffle for an original painting by local artist Pat Johnson, who had won the “Best in Show” at the 2005 Pine Island Art Association annual show and sale and was recognized at the Naples Winner’s Circle. The painting depicts an island scene and measures 22 by 28 inches mounted professionally in a frame.
There are still outdoor spots available for vendors who wish to participate in this year’s event. For more information about the St. James Hobby Club or to reserve a vendors spot, call Ferguson at 283-4198.
The St. James Hobby Club meets each Wednesday morning year-round beginning at 9 a.m. Members and guests need not be residents of St. James City and all are welcome to attend.