Richmond art and craft sale
I'm just going to say it. Just say it - just give that band-aid one swift tug...
Yes, Autum officially began yesterday, but today .... well, it's exactly three months until Christmas Eve.
I can hear you, all of the tinsel-toes (aka Christmas people) shouting hurray, and all of the rest of you groaning and lighting the paper on fire.
But bear with me, there is a method to this madness.
We are living in a period where an awareness about being responsible consumers and shopping locally are returning as common practice, paired with a strange sort of Amazon (shopping so locally, you're at home .... whereas what you buy definitely does not come from somewhere close by). So before you pay for drone delivery to park it on your doorstep, how about you venture out into this beautiful Autumn that has begun...and maybe work in a little holiday shopping while you're at it?
Here's the perfect stop for all kinds of treasure - the Expo Artisanat RRHS Art & Craft Sale is on this Saturday, September 28th, and Sunday, September 29th, at Richmond Regional High School.
Preserves, jewelry, soap, hand-sewn, woven and crocheted goods, hand-designed signs are among the items for sale.
Craftsperson and small business owner Marybeth (Missy) Johnston attended as a vendor for Discovery Toys back in the mid-1990s when the show was run by the late great teacher from St. Francis Elementary School, Mr. Allan Nourse. 'Isabelle (her daughter) was just six days old when I was there for my first one. She will be 26 years-old in October!'
Marybeth is a grandmother now to one-year-old grandson, Henry, son of that very daughter, Isabelle (who is the eldest of Marybeth and her husband Jim's six children). Marybeth's small business, Jacabums, offers clientele an opportunity to go green, with ecofriendly school items like snack bags for lunches, and a full line of baby items, such as reusable diapers that she has become known for. Marybeth has been running Jacabums for approximately thirteen years - do the math on how many diapers have stayed out of landfills thanks to her ....... countless!
Show organizer, Valerie Bushey is passionate about bringing back crafting. 'This art-craft show started out because I feel strongly about buying handmade and as local as possible. I also feel that the arts are dying out. The crafts of knitting, sewing, weaving, woodworking, painting, etc. I feel as though if we don't start buying into the arts, before we know it, it will be gone. So, I took on starting up the craft show ten years after it stopped (following the death of former organizer, Allan Nourse).'
There is also the aspect that this show's proceeds go entirely back to RRHS. Valerie elaborates, 'With the cost of things going up in schools, kids weren't doing sports as much. So, what better way to raise money than to have an art-craft sale! Introducing the students in this fundraiser was fundamental. The shop class built the peg boards (used by artisans to display their wares), and other students come to help with the set-up. Parents also help with the art-craft show. Many hands are there to make sure it is successful!'
Three months until Christmas Eve. Stockings to fill. Teachers and bus drivers, co-workers, babysitters and other folks in our lives to acknowledge for their time and care. So, don't burn this paper just yet - keep in mind that it will still feel like Fall for some time .... and that come December you'll be glad to forego the mall, since you were such a smartie and bought from these dedicated local craftspeople.
This year there will also be a brunch hosted on Sunday, September 29th at the school cafeteria, held from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The show itself runs from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. this Saturday, September 28th and Sunday, September 29th, at Richmond Regional High School, located at 375 Armstrong, Richmond, Quebec (J0B 2H0), and for more information, visit their Facebook page RRHS Autumn Artisan Art Show or call (819) 349-4490.