Nov. 6 – Flakeville – The sounds of the seasons echoed through the halls of the Schuylkill Technology Center North Campus on Saturday as artisans displayed a collection of objects designed to end up under the Christmas tree.
Holiday classics like “I’ll Go Home for Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman” welcome shoppers to the center’s 28th Vendor and Craft Show.
Among the 57 or so artisan wares that stand out are Santa, reindeer and holiday wreaths — signs that you’ll unknowingly know what to expect here.
In fact, a hand-painted wooden sign at the Minnick Woodworking booth read “50 days until Christmas.”
“50” is written in chalk so that it can be updated in the daily countdown.
Mikayla Minnick showed off what she called a “Santa tree” — a tree-shaped plank painted in a red Santa suit.
“The Santa tree is really popular,” said Minnick, 19, a student studying to be an elementary school teacher.
Using expertise developed over decades, Elaine Attia creates stylish Christmas hangers by placing ribbons, dried cherries and various other items on a wooden star background.
“I’ve been making art since I was a kid,” says Attia of West Hazleton. “My mother taught me.”
Wilmer George at Washington Twp. Artisans, making wooden Santas, angels and eagles under the label “George’s Crafts”.
He became interested in woodworking nearly 20 years ago after retiring from the 365th Engineering Army Reserve at Schuylkill Haven.
“I bought a $1,000 saw and made a teddy bear for my granddaughter and a frog for my grandson,” he said. “Very relaxing.”
A hobby turned into a business, and George, along with his wife of 30 years, Sue, showcased his work at numerous craft fairs over the holidays.
Bill Mack, who teaches social studies at the center, said there was a lot of interest in the program.
“It’s been really tough during COVID for a couple of years,” he said, “but people are starting to come back.”
The program is sponsored by student organizations on the Center’s North and South campuses. Funds raised are used to fund student activities or student organizations.
Alexis Squyres, 17, a student at the STC-South Campus, has mastered a centuries-old craft called pyrography.
She used a hot iron to burn images of eagles, frogs and butterflies into wooden boxes and plaques. A Tamaqua resident, she is also a talented hand-painted artist.
“I like the way the two technologies relate to each other,” said the self-taught Squyres. “It’s important to me that my art makes people happy.”
Contact the author: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007