Plowshares Sale supports artisans in developing countries

The Plowshares Sale at Abbey Road Christian Church isn't your typical arts and crafts fair.

Yes, all the items are handcrafted and unique, but in this case, they are all made by artisans in developing nations.

The sale is an outpost of Plowsharing Crafts, a not-for-profit organization established in St. Louis in 1985 as a ministry of the St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship.

Plowsharing Crafts' goal is to provide vital, fair income to artisans in developing countries by selling their crafts; it supports artisans in more than 40 Third World countries. It now has three permanent store locations in the St. Louis metro area, in addition to supporting sales like the one in Cape Girardeau.

This is the second year Abbey Road has hosted the sale.

"It just seemed like a worthwhile project," says Melanie Sherinski, who coordinates the local sale. "All the money from the sale of the items goes directly back to the artisans and craft people. There's no middle man."

Plowshares has had a sale in Fredericktown, Mo., as well -- that's how Abbey Road got involved.

"Our pastor is friends with the former pastor" at the church in Fredericktown, Sherinski says. "The year before last, I went down to see what they had. We knew we wanted to get involved, so we got in touch with the group in St. Louis."

Items offered at the sale include hand-woven baskets, scarfs, mittens, jewelry, potter, Christmas decorations of all kinds, books, toys, musical instruments and wall-hangings.

"It's just a huge assortment of things," Sherinski says. "Come early, we will have a big selection. I think (shoppers) will be able to find just about anything. It's great for Christmas gifts."

The second annual Plowshares Sales will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Abbey Road Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road in Cape Girardeau. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

More local craft fairs

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6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16

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18th annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show

5 to 9 p.m. Friday Nov. 22; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24

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Admission: $1

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10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24

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Admission: $5 Saturday (good for both days and both locations), $3 Sunday (good for both locations).

38th annual River Valley Craft Fair

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24.

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Admission: $5 Saturday, $3 Sunday

Craft Fair Weekend

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24

342 S. Kingshighway in the former Siemers location