OCEAN PINES – Forty local artisans and businesses will be selling their original works at the 3rd annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair at the Ocean Pines Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 3.
"It gives people in the area an opportunity to attend a fair where everything is handmade," said Carol Quinto, co-chairperson of the event and a member of the Pine’eer Arts & Crafts Club, which is sponsoring the fair.
Between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public can stroll the Community Center, which will be filled with vendors selling original, holiday crafts such as wreaths, photographs, handmade soap, jewelry and stained glass. There will be no charge for admission.
Most vendors are private artists, but some area businesses will participate as well. Before being accepted to sell their crafts at the fair, vendors’ applications are reviewed to ensure what is being sold meets appropriate guidelines to provide a wide array of items for attendees.
"We have to know exactly what the products are and that they are 100 percent original," Quinto said.
"You’re not going to walk in and see 20 jewelers."
Local artisan Barbara O’Connor will be selling her handcrafted stained glass designs.
"I started this as a project with a friend 10 years ago and can make any design," O’Connor said. Landscapes with wildlife such as birds and seagulls are among her favorite works.
The artist makes individual glass creations, but also can do projects for entire windows. Her stained glass will be for sale and she will take requests for custom work.
In a building directly next to the Ocean Pines Community Center, the Pine’eer Arts & Crafts Club will have an open house where crafts from members of the club will be for sale. There will be door prizes.
"We raise money to give back to Ocean Pines service organizations," Quinto said. She added that the proceeds from their public events are always donated back into the community.
A bake sale featuring goods made by Pine’eer Arts & Crafts Club members will also contribute to those proceeds.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City will be selling food and drinks.