New Ipswich Congregational Church is giving young crafters, artists and bakers a chance to share their talents, with a craft fair featuring only items made by children and teens under the age of 16 Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to noon in the bottom floor of the church.
Pastor Ken Whitson also volunteers as a lunch monitor at Highbridge Hill Elementary School, and said he often gets Christmas gifts – many homemade – from the children he interacts with there. This past year, one of those gifts was a braided brown bracelet. He was so impressed with the quality, he later bought another bracelet from her, this one in navy blue, so he could represent both Army and Navy colors for his annual tradition of watching the Army-Navy football game.
“It cost me $3, which to me is pennies, but to her, is a great amount that she earned herself,” Whitson said.
Whitson said he knew of another child who was also a crafter, and had even sold items at a craft fair, having paid the table fee to get a place. Whitson decided to host a craft fair at the church that would give children the chance to show what they could do, at no cost for them.
Among the 12 vendors already signed up, Whitson said there are jewelry-makers, including earrings and bracelets; homemade bath bombs; pet treats and accessories; baked goods; poster-sized prints of original artwork; and slime.
“I’m really impressed with some of the stuff these kids do,” Whitson said. “And it’s a good opportunity for them – that’s what we’re hoping to create.”
And only a short time before Easter on April 17, Whitson joked the fair is a good opportunity for parents to get gifts for their Easter baskets that aren’t full of sugar.
Whitson said this is the first children’s craft fair for the church, but he hopes to make it into an annual event.
“The amount of interest we’ve had, I don’t think it’ll be difficult to do that,” Whitson said.
Members of the church will also be selling coffee, hot chocolate and juice. Those who wish to sign up as a vendor may do so by calling the church at 603-878-1327 or message the New Ipswich Congregational Church Facebook page. There is no fee, but vendors must be age 16 or under.
While at the church, children ages 2 to 12 can also pick up a page for the New Ipswich Congregational Church’s Good Friday coloring contest. Multiple contestants will be recognized with prizes of books valued at a total of $200.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.