For eight years, the Christmas Craft & Holiday Market has supported the city of Syracuse by showcasing products made by artisans. The show will take place in the New York State Fair Horticulture Building from Friday to Sunday. 

“This is more of a holiday-themed and gift-giving show,” said Rhonda Blakely, the organizer of the market that belongs under Country Folk Art Craft Shows.  

Blakely was hosting antique shows before the craft show premiered 36 years ago in Davisburg, Michigan. She said she started these trade shows because it was too taboo to bring handmade products to antique shows, so artisans had no avenue for selling their items. 

Vendors and customers can trade directly at the market, allowing for more affordable prices for handmade products that might not be found anywhere else, she added. 

“I love seeing them carrying their packages back and forth,” said Blakely. “So many of them make several trips to the car.” 

More than 100 vendors will fill the market this weekend with various products, including décor such as candles and garlands, cold-weather clothing as well as bath and body products, like handmade soap and scrubs. The market also features an array of gourmet foods, such as fudge and candy, salsa and garlic dip and at least four different wineries and beer growers for tasting.  

Vendors travel from as far away as Maryland and New Hampshire to the Syracuse event. Products include candles and garlands, cold-weather clothing as well as bath and body products. Courtesy of Country Folk Art Shows

Courtesy of Country Folk Art Shows

“People make it a tradition to come to these shows,” said Barry Rouse, owner of Morning Star Home Accents, a Schenectady-based company that makes braided rugs and fire-ready quilts out of jute. Rouse said some regular customers follow the business from show to show — he noted that the same can be said for other vendors as well.  

Jill Gebhardt, the owner of Jill’s Jams Mixes & More, said she appreciates the market’s handcrafted products. The company sells an assortment of homemade jams and jellies, as well as cookies, candies and cocoas — the perfect gifts, she said, for stocking stuffers.  

Jill’s Jams attends around 40 trade shows a year, with its most recent one in Albany. Some crafters participate in these traveling markets for a living, while retired artisans might make their handmade products for some extra income. 

“You don’t need six people selling the same thing,” Blakely said. “That’s why I like the craft there, because there’s a lot of people that make things that are just unique.” 

Last year, one customer brought all her favorite vendors home-baked cookies to the show, Gebhardt said, showing the close relationships they’ve built over the years traveling the craft show. Syracuse is the last show of the year as people start to travel and spend time with their families in the days approaching Christmas.  

“My favorite part is the customers because they’re so happy and they just truly love the event,” Blakely said. 

Adult admissions cost $7, and $1 coupons can be found online. Children ages five to 12 are admitted at $2, while children under five are free. A hand stamp re-admits during the three-day market.

Published on December 5, 2018 at 11:42 pm

Contact Jiaman: jpeng04@syr.edu