Artists to exhibit crafts
SAN JOSE — Artists from around the Bay Area will showcase their crafts in Silicon Valley this month as part of the 40th anniversary tour of the Harvest Festivals.
What began in San Francisco as a forum for independent artists to share locally made crafts is now one of the largest indoor arts and crafts shows on the West Coast, featuring more than 24,000 handmade items.
Hundreds of artists come from all over the Bay Area for the event, including Janice Summers of Sunnyvale. The owner of Tres Spa Bath and Body Products will return to the Harvest Festival for the fourth year in a row.
Summers’ skin care and aroma therapy products are made with organic, natural plant- based ingredients.
As a young girl, she grew up with grandparents who grew their own produce in the middle of a city, not because they had to, but because they enjoyed it.
“It was an interesting thing to be raised in the city rather than raised in the country but to have family so into growing food,” Summers said. “I think it really was that era/ generation that was raised in and came through the Great Depression that had a different mind- set. I think that’s where my appreciation of these things really took root.
“Creating natural products is a celebration of life, and the greatest gift you can give someone is to help nourish them with wholesome products lovingly created.”
More than 200 exhibits at the festival feature a great range of products, from soaps and fragrances to jewelry and clothing.
This year, the official charity of the show is Humane Society Silicon Valley, which will receive half of the proceeds from shopping bag sales and all of the proceeds from the bag and parcel check.
Festival attendees are also encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation to support Second Harvest Food Bank. Those who do will receive $ 2 off admission.
The San Jose Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show will run Friday through Sunday at the San Jose Convention Center, 150 W. San Carlos St. The hours will be from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. Friday, 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. Saturday and 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Sunday.
Tickets are $ 9 for adults, $ 7 for seniors ages 62 and up, $ 4 for youth ages 13- 17, and 12 and under are free.
For tickets and information, call 800- 346- 1212 or go to harvestfestival.com.