ARTS & CRAFTS FOR EVERYONE

Park the car, grab your shopping list and prepare to be dazzled by a wondrous display of hand-crafted items. It's time for the region's annual weekend binge of arts and crafts, with more than ??? crafters at six different locations. Though the arts and crafts fairs have different sponsors, taken all together they represent one of the largest indoor craft fairs in the U.S.

This marks the 28th anniversary of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's Arts & Crafts Bazaar, the organization's major fund-raising event. The Arts Council began the whole thing with only 12 crafters the first year.

Christmas at the Show Me Center and Osage Centre will be bigger and better than ever. Crafters from all over the country have booked over 450 booths in which to display their wares.

Leah Arnold will be traveling from Slidell, La., to be a part of this year's event. Look for Arnold and her hand-crafted jewelry at the Osage Centre.

Traveling from a much shorter distance will be Cape Central art teacher Judy Barks-Westrich. Barks-Westrich specializes in off-the-loom weaving. Baskets, collages and other pieces of artwork in the fiber category will be on display.

Some of her pieces have been displayed at the University Museum, at Celebrations (the restaurant) and at a March showing at Gallery 100. These shows made her decide to do the craft show, she said.

The items on display will be for sale but consignment orders are also taken. Barks-Westrich and her wares will be at the Osage Centre.

There will be familiar faces among the artisans, but the Arts Council also strives to locate new talent each year. About 50 percent of this year's vendors were not booked for the 1997 show.

Another unique feature of Christmas at the Osage Centre and Show Me Center is the variety of merchandise displayed. Although the Arts Council sponsors both shows, one is not an overflow for the other. Artisans of hand-crafted items will be displaying their wares at the Osage Centre.

From 12,000 to 15,000 shoppers attend the event each year. A $2 admission is good for both locations on the day of purchase. Parking is free and concessions will be sold. Normal shopping hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

The council is offering a special service this year for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. A special opening will be held at the Osage Centre from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday only. Volunteers will be on hand to help shoppers with their purchases.

That's far from all there is to see, though. River Valley Crafts is once again sponsoring a craft bazaar at the A.C. Brase Arena Building and the Holiday Inn Convention Center.

Doors will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $1.

A variety of crafts will be on display from the 160 exhibitors scheduled to attend.

Parking is free and concessions will be available.

Opening the doors for shoppers on Friday evening will be a first for the Christmas Craft and Gift Show at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland. Friday hours of 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. will help the many swing-shift workers in the area as well as those just wanting to get an early start on their Christmas craft shopping.

Admission and parking are free. The River City C.B. Club Junior Members/Class of 2000 will conduct a drawing, accepting donations of $1 per ticket or 6 for $5.

Selected winners may choose from a complete set of 1998 McDonald's Teenie Beanies, the second series of the 1998 BAMM BEANO Beanie Bears or a handcrafted quilt, respectively.

Chester, Ill., artist Verdell Brelzi will display a unique selection of folk art tole painting.

Lace, wire mesh and old linen angels along with birdhouses, candles, crocheted doilies, afghans, BooHoo babies, doll clothes, jewelry, leather work, lawn ornaments, sun catchers, wreaths, shadow boxes and antique furniture and glassware are among the selections available from vendors traveling from Ky., Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and from within Missouri.

New to this year's extravaganza is the Holiday Gift and Food Fair at the Plaza Community Center. Shoppers can also take advantage of Friday evening shopping hours for this event.

Schedule of Events

Christmas Craft & Gift Show

The Bavarian Halle, I-55 at Fruitland exit. Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission

River Valley Crafts

A.C. Brase Arena Building. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $1 admission.

Holiday Inn Convention Center, I-55 at William Street. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $1 admission.

Holiday Gift and Food Fair

Plaza Community Center, Plaza Way. Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $2.

Arts & Crafts Bazaar

Osage Community Centre, North Kingshighway. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $2 (good for admission to Show Me Center also). Special opening for senior citizens and disabled persons Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Show Me Center, 1333 N. Sprigg. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $2 (good for admission to Osage Centre also.