Southeast to host 46th annual Arts Council Craft Fair

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will host its 46th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Show Me Center and the Osage Centre.

Tickets for the event are $5 per person, and will allow guest to enter both venues. Tickets also will be distributed through wristbands at either location.

According to Murielle Gaither, executive director of the Arts Council, the event will have more than 300 vendors from throughout the United States to display their 100 percent handmade items.

Dodie Eisenhauer, owner of Village Designs, has been a vendor at the craft fair since 1972.

Eisenhauer places her booth at the Osage Centre as it is more accommodating to the time of the event.

She said it’s a lot of fun and a happy place to see people get into the Christmas mood.

“I really enjoy the show, I get to see a lot of people that I only get to see at that show.It is a well-run show that has lots and lots of shoppers,” Eisenhauer said.

Eisenhauer makes a variety of different items that are composed of many different types of metals and wires, including copper-, steel-, brass- and silver-plated colored wire used for jewelry.

Volunteer opportunities are offered in place of discounts for students to obtain a ticket to the craft fair weekend.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at the fair, contact Liz Montgomery at the Arts Council at (573) 334-9233 or via email at artscouncil@capearts.org