SWNE Crafters & Entrepreneurs Christmas Festival welcomes new vendors

Becky Kuntzelman For The Imperial Republican

The Southwestern Nebraska Crafters & Entrepreneurs held their annual Christmas Festival at the Wellington Street Gym on Saturday displaying an array of holiday gifts and special finds for the discerning shopper. Although some of the regular vendors that usually frequent the event were not able to attend, eight new vendors joined the event displaying their items alongside other established SWNE members. Items for sale included selections of wood crafts, recycled crafts, freeze dried candy, handmade sterling silver jewelry, children’s books and a display of mystery novels by local author, Diane Winter. Some of the shoppers perusing vendor offerings included, top left, from left, Deb Hrcka, owner Tabitha Johnson and Diann Schilke at the jBloom Jewelry booth. Above right, PaperPie children’s books’ owner Brandi Dannatt shows Kala Holmes and grandson Dustin Holmes some of her selections. At left, Mary Wilson enjoys a conversation with BWW Silver jewelry owners Shelbi Jueneman and Judy Brandt. A drawing for a gift basket, made up of items from each of the vendors, was won by Janet Ambrosek. Proceeds from the festival will go back to the community in the form of two gift certificates—one to a store for groceries and the other for gasoline—both of which will be awarded to a local family in need. Additional funds will be donated to Chase County Schools toward the school lunch program. The next SWNE event will be the Spring Fling in March.