Gainesville —
Every crafter has a story.
The Gainesville Civic Center was the site of multiple stories and exchanges as vendors sold handmade items at the 32nd annual Arts & Crafts Sell-O-Rama.
The event helped raise money for the Cooke County Fair Association and gave area artisans a chance to show and sell their creations.
Vendor Sylvia Nelson of Oklahoma showcased her jellies, jams and candies while Virginia Sanford sold holiday items including festive figures in crocheted outfits and decked out teddy bears.
Nelson said it takes time to prepare for a craft extravaganza.
“I’ve been cooking since the middle of September,” she said.
Her culinary offerings included jewel-toned jams and jellies in pint and half pint jars. Among her specialties are apricot jam and champagne jelly flavored with a generous portion of the sparkling beverage.
“The jelly is made of (fruit) juice and the champagne is added later,” Nelson said. “The alcohol evaporates and only the champagne flavor is left. Everybody loves it.”
Nelson also pointed out the link between food and fellowship, adding she recently made batches of her pecan candy to share with a bereaved family.
“Flowers and potted plants are beautiful but food can give comfort in a way (floral) arrangements can’t,” she said.
Most of the crafters, including Kathy Westbrook add personal touches to their work.
Westsbrook said she likes finding ways to use nontraditional materials.
Aerosol spray insulation, for instance, can become glistening snow when painted white and nestled among bottle brush trees and snowmen.
Solar yard lights take on a new life when embellished with welcome signs, coyote figurines or autumn accents.
“I’ll just see something I like and try to make my own version,” Westbrook said.
Crafter Carol Jacobsen’s booth offered both handmade and vintage wares including a circa 1950s wedding cake topper.
Collecting and crafting aren’t essential activities, she noted, but they can be a joyful diversion.
“These beautiful things are eye candy,” Jacobsen said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Ethan Trammell, left, and Cameron Trammell, right, members of the Sharpshooters 4-H club sold baked goods at the Sell-O-Rama. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
-
Sellers Virginia Sanford, left, and Sylvia Nelson display their handmade items at the Sell-O-Rama. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
-
Vendor Kathy Westbrook shows off her lighted yard ornaments at the 16th annual Arts & Crafts Sell-O-Rama at the Gainesville Civic Center. Staff photo by Delania Trigg
Guest Book
Sell-O-Rama returns to civic center
- Local News
-
-
Land deal could bring corporations to city
Today’s Gainesville City Council meeting includes a public hearing on a Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) petition to annex 143 acres of land into city limits.
-
Donation drive set to help storm victims
Donations for survivors in need following severe tornado damage in Cleburne and Granbury are currently being accepted at Bealls Department Store in the Gainesville Shopping Center.
-
Devastation slows recovery effort in Moore, Okla.
A tornado that was described as “absolutely horrific” blazed a path of destruction across this Oklahoma southeast community that now has felt Mother’s Nature’s most powerful punch several times in the past 20 years.
-
Mud Run fun
Both children and adults had a blast at this year’s “M-o-o-ving Thru’ the Mud with Landon.”
-
Texas adds more than 33K new jobs in April
Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April. Texas added 326,100 jobs from April 2012 to April 2013. The state’s annual growth rate in April stood at 3.0 percent, and has been above 2.5 percent since the beginning of 2012. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in April at 6.4 percent. It remains well below the nation’s April unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.
-
Fire support and rehab team donates to Callisburg VFD
Cooke County Fire Support and Rehab Team recently purchased some items for Callisburg Volunteer Fire Department.
-
VFW plans Memorial Day ceremony
This year’s Memorial Day ceremony is set to combine rigorous tribute and storytelling with a notable twist.
-
The Big One: Preparing for mid-America earthquake
Part 5 of a five-part series
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless. The Memphis airport – the country’s biggest air terminal for packages – goes off-line. Major oil and gas pipelines across Tennessee rupture, causing shortages in the Northeast. In Missouri, another 15,000 people are hurt or dead. Cities and towns throughout the central U.S. lose power and water for months. Losses stack up to hundreds of billions of dollars. -
National Transportation Safety Board considers lowering blood alcohol levels for drivers
Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have announced new recommendations in their continued quest to end drunk driving.
During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, alcohol is a common theme in many celebratory activities throughout the nation and state, and, therefore, many Texans unnecessarily die in vehicular accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
This past week, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials announced several new recommendations relating to drunk driving, including lowering the national blood alcohol content (BAC) standard from .08 to .05. -
Valley View officials sworn in
Valley View city officials were sworn in during a recent city council meeting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Land deal could bring corporations to city
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
