CRAFT SHOWS CREATE BONANAZA FOR SHOPPERS

Carol Bill and Lorene Walter, both of Jackson, spent their Saturday looking at angels, dolls, Christmas ornaments and wreaths, hitting one crafts show and then another.

They weren't alone.

Thousands of arts and crafts lovers descended on various spots in Cape Girardeau and Jackson Saturday to attend one or more of the four craft shows that were going on all day. All of the shows continue today.

"There are so many beautiful things here," Walter said at the Show Me Center. "We come to look at things mostly, and to get ideas."

There were lots of things to look at. Nearly 800 crafters will set up shop in the Cape Girardeau area this weekend in four shows. Such items as home made wooden animals, plastic Christmas trees and Santa Clauses of all shapes and sizes are featured.

But there is much more.

The shows have drawn thousands of shoppers from throughout the region.

Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, said that people attend the craft fairs every year for a number of reasons.

"Because most exhibitors are from out of the area and they can't find the items any where else," she said. "And people know each other at the shows and that's the only place they see each other."

The River Valley Craft Club, Christmas in the Armory, River City Junior CBers Club, and Arts Council Art Show are all holding their annual crafts shows this weekend.

The River Valley Crafts Club filled up quickly after opening its doors Saturday morning. It is being held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center and the A.C. Brase Arena Building. This is the 20th year for that show. Admission is charged and doors will open again today at 10 a.m.

James Watkins of Oak Ridge is continuing his second annual Christmas at the Armory crafts show, featuring some 60 booths. The event is held at the National Guard Armory. Admission is free and doors open at 10 a.m. Sunday.

There are two booths with benefits going to the Humane Society and local Girl Scouts, Watkins said, and he expects more than 5,000 people to attend.

The River City Junior CBers Club is holding crafts fair at the Bavarian Halle, situated near Interstate 55 at the Jackson-Fruitland exit. Admission is free and doors open at 9 a.m.

The Arts Council Art Show's 26th crafts show continues today at the Show Me Center. The doors open at 10 a.m. and there is an admission charge.

The four shows feature crafts in five buildings. Next year it could spill over into six. The shows are so popular with crafters that there were waiting lists to get a booth. Even the opening of two new craft shows in the last two years hasn't lessened the demand for booths.

For the public the weekend craft fairs provide an opportunity to shop for the holidays. For crafters it is an occasion to display their wares and make a little money too.

Frank Morgenstern, of DuQuoin, Ill., is one of the vendors at the Arts Council show. He made about 700 wooden Santas to prepare for this weekend. He sells each one for about $12 each.

Over the years the November weekend craft fairs have fashioned an economic bonanza for Cape Girardeau's economy.

The council has been holding a craft show close to Thanksgiving for 26 years. Since then other groups have followed suit, holding shows on the same weekend.

The River Valley Craft Club has sponsored a craft fair for two decades. This is the second year for the Christmas at the Armory crafts show at the National Guard Armory.