The Blue Building at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds held the first-of-two Craft/Vendor Events during the year. Organized by Kim Barragan of Savanna, IL, the first took place on Saturday, April, 20, 2019, in Morrison, IL. She held an Easter Egg Hunt for children 20 minutes before doors opened at 9:00 a.m. These six children gobbled them up. Left-to-right are Morrison residents Logan Peavy, age 9; Leah Peavy, age 6, and Skylar Waters, age 6. Eight-year-old Rockford, IL, residents are Leah Reese and Joanna Willis (not necessarily in that order.)
The second Vendor/Craft Event will be feature a “First Annual Christmas in July” theme. It will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, July 27, with over 40 vendors and crafters. Those selling the following items already have registered: jewelry, candles, purses, clothing, wood works, oils, soaps, and more.
Admission is free. Visitors may sign up for a chance to win a $25 Casey’s gift card.
“Spots are still available,” noted Barragan. “Please call 815-238-6170 if you are interested” in a sales table. Inside the Blue Building, a 6′ table is $30; a 10′ x 10′ table is $40. Outside 10′ x 10′ tables are $30.
As first time vendors, Theresa Day and Aaron Nero, both of Chicago, IL, displayed four groups of items. They offered handbags, jewelry, t-shirts for Cubs and White Sox fans, and Nero’s wood burned crafts. More wood burned items are found on Facebook at Nero’s Nest. If you are looking for a new baseball team shirt, some which are decorated with sparkles, it will be less expensive than if purchased at the stadium. Leave a message in Nero’s Nest.
Damsel in Defense is a niche business, sold by independent Damsel Pro, Karen Link of Rockford. She sells a plethora of products to protect people under physical attack, including messaged, warning apparel that boasts courage. Some state, “Fierce Fighter,” “not today, STALKER,” and “Damsel IN DISTRESS defense.” Link placed a shirt on the dressmaker’s form to display another affirmation.
Her product line includes pepper spray and mace; his and hers personal alarms and “hermergency” whistles on necklaces; stun guns and batons; tactical pens and platinum striking tools.
There is a Junk in the Trunk auto emergency kit and an emergency auto tool/light flasher. The Concealed Carry line offers a bullet-resistant “Safelee Sleave;” backpack; large “Covert Kari;” mid-size purse; “Pocket Brook;” “Billy Fold” or “Slim Shelly;” RFID mini wallet.
Proactive Parent Guide, Safe Hearts Board Game, and a series of ten childrens’ storybooks offer a means for “kid-versations” about safety.
Karen Link can be reached at 815-509-8700, klink714@gmail.com, or mydamselpro.net/karenlink. She ships her sales.