READY, SET, SHOP: THREE ARTS AND CRAFT SHOWS THIS WEEKEND

This is one of Carol Wilkinson's completed mop angels.

It's that time of year again. Stores are putting up their holiday decorations, children are being extra good and the crafters are busy getting their wares ready to display. Thousands of shoppers will soon be filling the aisles this weekend at Cape Girardeau's three holiday arts and crafts fairs.The granddaddy is the 29th annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Bazaar, where more than 450 booths will be brimming with crafts for Christmas at the Show Me Center and Osage Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Crafts of every size, shape and description will be on display. Many crafters work for months getting items ready for sale. Bill Needle, however, creates his craft right on the spot. Needle, a semiretired professor, is still teaching a class on Egyptology at Southeast Missouri State University. "I translate people's names into Egyptian symbols," said Needle. The symbols are displayed on the front of a nap board. On the back of the board, Needle explains the meaning of each of the symbols. The finished product is suitable for framing and would make a unique gift.Crafters and shoppers come from all over for the event. Local hotels and motels are completely booked and restaurants enjoy the added tourists. Christmas at the Show Me Center and Osage Centre is sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and acts as the council's largest yearly fund raising event. Daniel North, executive director of the Arts Council, reported an attendance of almost 15,000 for the 1998 event.The council requires crafters to submit an application and photo of their wares. The staff's dedication in researching the quality and craftsmanship of the wares has kept the show successful.The variety of wares also keeps the show interesting. A $2 admission fee is good for both locations. Prepare to arrive early and stay all day. Tom and Brenda Glodo will be traveling from Pinckneyville, Ill., to set up in front of both locations. The tempting aroma of their freshmade Kettle Korn will make them easy to find.Be sure to take your Christmas list with you. There'll be something for everyone at this year's event. The outdoorsman might like a 3-D woodcut from Gary and Ron Scherer of Cape Girardeau. Jeff Walker of Sedalia produces wheel-thrown pottery that any country enthusiast would love.Vicki Long of Cape Girardeau only does one craft show a year, and Christmas at the Show Me Center and Osage Centre is it. "This is not a full-time occupation for me," said Long. She only works on one or two crafts for the show. Her main craft this year is decorative birdhouses.Making them is just a little messy though. Long covers the birdhouses with pieces of old plates she uses old plates she smashes with a hammer. "Once you have the pieces, you just glue them on like tile," she said.Long travels to other shows to get ideas for her crafts. "I can't just dream something up, but once I see it I can duplicate it," she said. She recently saw wall hangings similar to the ones she will have for sale at the show. The hangings begin with a large piece of wood and incorporate a mirror and flat marbles. Long finds working on crafts enjoyable and relaxing. "Crafters are happy people," she said, "and I enjoy doing what I do."Jane Needham's sweatshirts are always a big hit. Needham of Hot Springs, Ark., designs her own screens to print on the shirts, giving them a unique look.Pen and pencil sets made of exotic woods, handcrafted garden statuary, pen and ink drawings, cook books, angels of every type and candles are just some of the many items to be displayed this year.The Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show at the Bavarian Halle near Jackson will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday to give shoppers a jump on the "crafty" weekend. Shoppers are also welcome from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The $1 admission fee allows you to place your name in a drawing for a quilt to be given away by the River City C.B. Club. This Chaffee-based organization is raising money for a 21-day, 10-country tour of Europe they plan to take next summer.Craft show staples always include a variety of wreaths, swags and other floral arrangements, rag rugs, embellished clothing, ceramics, crocheted goods, yard ornaments, gift boxes and suncatchers.TY Beanie Babies and Buddies will return along with Barbie and Mark McGwire collectibles. Personalized children's books, handmade soaps, natural aromatherapy bath oils, dolls, folk art paintingLinda Barber of Brazeau will have several sizes of Christmas trees available. Barber's trees are fashioned after the old German style feather trees. Most of her crafts are reminiscent of earlier times. Paper garland and old fashioned angels will be on display. Barber's most sought after items are her hand-carved sheep. These unique sheep come in various sizes and make wonderful additions to Nativity scenes.Carol Wilkinson of Cape Girardeau has had a lot of mops around her house lately, but she hasn't been using them on the floor. Wilkinson creates angels from the mop heads. She will also have concrete goose clothes, small ornaments, wall hangings, big Santa heads, puppets and plastic trash bag holders at this year's event.River City Craft Club will be hosting their craft fair at the Holiday Inn Convention Center and the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Rick Werner, the club's president, reports there will be 400 booths between the two locations. "If there's anything you want for Christmas, it will be available," he said. Anyone who would like to make a last-minute entry in this year's event can contact Werner at 334-2939 and he'll find you a space.All locations for this year's craft extravaganza offer plenty of parking, concession stands and clean restrooms.

29th Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts BazaarWhere? Show Me Center and Osage CentreWhen? 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and SundayAdmission? $2Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles ShowWhere? Bavarian Halle near Jackson When? 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission? $1 includes drawing for a quilt to be given away by the River City C.B. Club.River City Craft Club Fair Where? Holiday Inn Convention Center and the A.C. Brase Arena BuildingWhen? 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SundayAdmission? $1