Chris Cringle coming|Show offers many choices for shoppers
Published 9:09 am Thursday, December 10, 2009
By By Kevin Scott Cutler
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Holiday shopping choices will abound during the Chris Cringle Craft Show, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at The Blind Center in Washington.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The center has sponsored the event for going on 10 years, said Sally Moler, center director. Area artists and craftsmen will showcase and sell a variety of wares, including wood turnings, pottery, stained or painted glass, woven stools, silk-screened scarves, handmade jewelry and sewn and quilted items.
Come out and support the visually impaired and find a good Christmas present at the same time, Moler said.
The Blind Centers gift shop is selling gift items and holiday decorations, Moler added.
We have ceramic soldiers, angel and caroler dolls and tree-toppers, tiny bell angels, decoupaged plates and sock monkeys, she said.
The sock monkeys are a popular gift idea, and some come dressed in costumes representing colleges like East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University and Duke University.
We also do special orders for other schools; we just need a little time to get someone to make the outfit, Moler said.
Shop merchandise is crafted by The Blind Centers visually impaired clients with assistance from volunteers and staff. The facilitys woven stools, chairs and waste-paper baskets make great, long-lasting presents, Moler said.
Its such a good work program, with the items woven by clients here, she said. Theyve been working hard to fill the shop.
Proceeds from gift-shop sales directly benefit the center, said Sandra Jordan, the centers finance director.
We started doing the craft show to bring people in, so they know were here, Moler said.
The centers food court also will be in full swing this weekend, serving up white chicken chili, meatball subs, pimento-cheese sandwiches and hot dogs with all the toppings.
The Blind Centers success wouldnt be possible without its support network, Moler said.
Weve got some fantastic volunteers who have been helping us, she said. You cant work in this situation without falling in love with everybody here, clients and volunteers.
For last-minute shopping, the centers gift shop will be open on an abbreviated schedule next week from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jordan said. The shop will close for Christmas and reopen Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
The Blind Center is located at the corner of Third and North Harvey streets in Washington. For more information, call 252-946-6208 or send e-mail to theblindcenter@aol.com.