Savvy shoppers choose Christmas on the Fox
By next weekend, Thanksgiving will be a mere memory. Fed up with turkey and trimmings, tryptophan-induced naps and televised football, you'll be ready to face the inevitable - that holiday gift list.
Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show is the selective shopper's answer to the seasonal mall crawl and the Internet frenzy. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29, the Kane County Fairgrounds' Prairie Events Center in St. Charles will overflow with the sights, sounds and fragrances of the festive season. Admission is $3. Parking is ample and free. A catered lunch - a yummy departure from those ubiquitous leftovers - is available.
The juried market is produced by Art of the Heartland and features aisles of attractive booths amply stocked with items never available elsewhere. All merchandise is made in America, then presented at the show by its talented artisan creators.
To qualify for the show, Art of the Heartland's CEO Robin Reed requires artisans to submit photos of finished items captured in a "messy'' workplace with supplies in the background.
"The purpose is to prove that the artisan is indeed making the items and not ordering them wholesale for resale,'' says Reed, who believes successful art and craft shows must offer a wide variety of top-quality merchandise and, at the same time, be fun to attend.
"I want visitors to walk out of our show with smiles on their faces, talking about their plans to come back next year,'' says Reed, whose family-owned company produces several popular Fox Valley area shows, including West Dundee's Heritage Fest Arts and Crafts and Antique shows, Country Folk Art Festival, Autumn on the Fox and Christmas on the Fox.
Under Reed's watchful eye, the Christmas venue sparkles. Fragrant, lighted Frazier fir trees, handsome garlands, wreaths and other fresh seasonal greenery from Heinz Brothers Greenhouse and Garden Centers deck the hall. Each day keyboardist Craig Campbell provides continual seasonal music.
The annual show can be counted on to offer something for every shopper - at every price point.
Need to start by freshening up your own holiday decor? Stephanie O'Neill's fused glass collection for ten36 designs offers sparkling traditional ornaments for the tree. Consider artist Joanna Bolton's charming papier-mache figurines for jolts of color and fun. Look at Kathy Roller's "woolies'' characters, picture frames or candlesticks. Soy candles that nestle in neat holiday containers, by Pat Stare for Fig Candle Company, may add just the touch you seek.
When it's time to tackle the gift list, select a chic granite cutting board from Khitam Nassar's sophisticated collection. The Barefoot Contessa wannabe on your gift list will love it.
What devoted pet parent could resist a pastel portrait of a favorite pooch or kitty? Their creator, Melissa Thorson-Hanson, calls them "pawstels."
Forget the tiskits and taskets and go straight for Ellen Phillips' adorable baskets. It's impossible to find one you won't covet.
About that friend who craves the unusual - talk to Michelle Robertson of artzings.com. She'll show you the amazing decor she creates using letters in artistic form.
Doll clothes by Marsha McCrory and handmade wooden toys and personalized trucks and trains by Ross Joy will delight any small fry on your list.
The folks at Sweet Day Gourmet - Diana Bone, her husband, chef Pete Bone, and her brother, Chris Basdeckis (he develops the company's recipes) - will be on hand with ample samples of high-end desserts. Their cookies, cupcakes, brownies, gingerbread and more are all made from their world-class baking mixes.
One-of-a-kind Santas by Victoria Emmons, Linda Ekle's fabric snowmen, Lisa Jaros's needle felting, Sherry Thielgaard's handmade wool ornaments, holiday florals by Tammy Mueller-Kessen and so much more. Come and see for yourself. It will be a fun time you will not soon forget.
Christmas on the Fox art and craft show
<span class="fact box text bold">When:</span> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29
<span class="fact box text bold">Where:</span> Prairie Events Center, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 Randall Road, between Routes 64 (North Avenue) and 38 (Roosevelt Road), St. Charles
<span class="fact box text bold">Admission:</span> $3. Children younger than 15 enter free. Group rates available.
<span class="fact box text bold">Details:</span> Free parking. All exhibits inside. Handicapped accessible. Strollers allowed. Catered lunch.
<span class="fact box text bold">Information:</span> Robin Reed, Art of the Heartland, (630) 387-1151; www.artoftheheartland.com; Rareed57@yahoo.com.
<span class="fact box text bold">Media contact:</span> Patricia Gerlach, Gerlach Group, (847) 882-9377; pagerlach@comcast.net