The 25th annual Thorold Christmas Art and Craft Show filled Thorold Secondary School with creativity and generosity on Saturday & Sunday, November 17th & 18th, 2018. The major attraction featured 85 juried artisans from across Ontario including several local favourites such as Bears4U by Beverley Interisano, Double Take Design, The Mitten Lady, and The Friends of Beaverdams Church ( Dee and Dave from the FOBC are pictured above in an event photo displaying the progress of their fundraising efforts )
“It was exciting to see the number of people who came to the 2 day show. On behalf of the student body & volunteers, it was gratifying to have the support & response from the community,” says event organizer Cathy Henderson.
Cathy was joined by volunteers from Thorold Secondary School including students, staff and members of the parent council to produce the 2 day event. The $3 show admission goes to school projects. Proceeds from a raffle at the show support the TSS fundraiser, which also showcases the facility on Ormond Street for hundreds of visitors to appreciate.
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A vendor at the show, Beverley Interisano feels the annual production is one of the top events in the Niagara Region for high quality handmade artist creations. As a point of emphasis in a conversation with MY Thorold, Beverley congratulates Cathy Henderson and the Thorold Secondary School staff, students and parent council volunteers who have “done a great job for a good cause! “
We hear that buyers and collectors of Beverley Interisano’s one of-a-kind art wait all year to purchase the local artisan’s creations. Hence, her booth at the Thorold Christmas Art and Craft Show draws a steady flow of visitors.
“I love creating and designing my items, but most of all the smiles that my creations bring to many faces! There is always laughter too be heard in my little corner of the gym,” she told MY Thorold.
Beverley is a creator and designer of one-of-a-kind real fur, mohair, faux fur and vintage teddy bears, critter purses, and dolls, as well as custom one-of- a-kind and vintage replica clothing.
“I have always donated to a charity organization in the past, with my products being auctioned off to help raise money for their causes. This donation of Charity BeanBag BEARS4U to the Friends of Beaverdams Church is one of the largest donations I have decided to do,” said Beverley in a conversation with MY Thorold.
Over many years she has received new products, such as teddy bear supplies, fabrics and other items from other artists and sewers who have retired from creating. She has taken those items and turned them into donations for charities and organizations with a good cause.
“A smile is contagious , so pass it on” she adds.
“My donation of 100 bears to the Friends of Beaverdams Church allows 100 people to make a donation also. Think of the many smiles those BEARS are going to create. I could never afford to donate money to all the special causes I have supported over the years. But, I can create and sew,” said Beverley who operates BEARS4U/ SheaffeDesigner.
Taking a look back, Beverly recalls approaching Cathy Henderson at the 2017 show when the local artisan was looking for another organization to donate a customized BEAR4. She donated sock monkeys in 2017 and was looking for an idea to develop for the show in 2018.
“I wanted to do something special. I was very honoured when I approached the Friends of Beaverdams Church and they accepted my donation. Best of all, I was pleased by the smiles it created on faces of their members Cathy, Donna and Melanie when I dropped off the BEARS to be featured in their Bear Corner,” said Beverley.
“pay it forward is such a beautiful saying,” she says in wrapping up our conversation.
Beverley definitely walks the talk when it comes to “pay it forward.” Find more information on Beverley’s creations online at mybears4u.blogspot.com
Members of the Friends of Beaverdams Church tell us they enjoyed the Thorold Christmas Art And Craft Show. The group had a new “Beaverdams Bears Corner” booth with specialty teddy bears with the Beaverdams logo for sale. Sales were brisk especially on Saturday, according to Donna Cowan.
Many thanks to Bev of BEARS4U ,” said Donna.
The group also sold raffle tickets and knitted fashions as pictured here with Cathy and Donna at their booth in the show.
The Thorold Christmas Art and Craft Show is a way many in Niagara kick off their holiday season. The beautiful works created by so many talented artisans often become amazing gifts for others, or ourselves,” said Thorold resident Tanya Nixon who teams up with mother Rosemary Davis to run The Mitten Lady booth at the show. Tanya is pictured here with husband Eric Nixon checking out their mittens.
Crafts By Rosemary features The Mitten Lady booth at the show with wonderfully warm woolen mittens and smittens for hand holding while strolling. The creations are uniquely designed from vintage wool sweaters. Customers love The Mitten Lady’s double fleece lining for incredible warmth.
Special orders are available in sizes for Men’s, Lady’s and Lady’s Small. Email rtdav@rogers.com for more information.
“ As a vendor, we were very happy with the craft show this year as we were busy throughout the two days and were pleased to see that our sales were almost double over last year’s show,” added Tanya in a chat with MY Thorold.
Stay tuned to MY Thorold for more local news and stories on the art and culture in our community.