Local Artisans and Fair Trade Artisans Together under One Roof at the Sfx Pccw Share the Love Gift Fair and Holiday Bazaar

(11/1) Artisans from as far away as Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, Peru, Bolivia and Afghanistan will have their products share the space at the Xavier Center with local artisans from Orrtanna, Gettysburg, East Berlin, Mt. Holly Springs and McKnightstown at the Share the Love Gift Fair and Holiday Bazaar to be held on November 10th from 8 am to 4 pm..

The Fair Trade section of the Gift Fair has brought together the handcrafted work of artisans from nine Fair Trade Federation member companies. The Artisan section of the Gift Fair will showcase the work of sixteen local artisans and craft persons. "We wanted to bring together under one roof the work of artisans who are being helped by fair trade opportunities as well as artisans who might be hidden right here in our own community. Our goal is to encourage thoughtful reflection as we head into the holiday buying season with this question: Your buck stops WHERE? We want to encourage our community to ‘follow your dollar’ to the end of the line. Who really is benefiting from your purchase? With our local artisans, we wanted to encourage a "buy local, gift locally" opportunity – giving community residents the chance to meet some of our home-grown talent and purchase from their selections and gifts, So often we hear about people living in poverty and unjust political systems and think to ourselves, ‘Well, what can I do?’ What we can do is to make thoughtful decisions about where we make our purchases!" said Kathy Reid, chair of the Fair Trade section of the Gift Fair and Outreach Coordinator for Artisans and Vendors.

In addition to the extensive collection of artisan produced merchandise, the Gift Fair has brought together nine local small businesses to showcase the diversity of products available here in our community. "Again, our goal is to connect local small businesses with the people who live and shop in this community. My own business, Reid’s Orchard & Winery, will be selling at the Gift Fair as will A & B Religious from McSherrystown. We have representatives from home-based companies like Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One Gifts, Scentsy, Origami Owl and Celadon Road on board for the day as well." said Reid. "We live local, so let’s encourage buying local! Our Gift Fair gives these small businesses an opportunity to spread the news about their products – and to make sales! We’re hoping to help uncover our hidden talent right here in the area surrounding Gettysburg."

The selection of Fair Trade merchandise that will be available that day for immediate sale or catalog order includes: Mayan women bibs, tablecloths, table runners, placemats napkins and baskets; soccer balls made by Afghanistan women; African-made children’s clothes, aprons and potholders; jewelry made from the seeds found in the rainforests of South America and the highlands of Central America; purses and totes from all over the world as well as table linen from India. Embroidered handiwork is featured from women in Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. Fair Trade coffee and teas will be available by the cup at the Café and for sale in containers at the Gift Fair.

For more details and to view the catalog sales accompanying the Gift Fair, go to the PCCW’s website: www.sfxpccw.org. Six of the nine fair trade companies have catalogs on-line for pre-shopping. Orders will be taken at the Gift Fair for products from each catalog. The Fair Trade Gifts can be purchased with cash or check. The Gift Fair will be held at 465 Table Rock Road at the Xavier Center from 8 am until 4 pm. Door prizes have been donated by the artisans and vendors and will be awarded each half-hour. Fifteen raffle prizes will be awarded at the closing of the Gift Fair. For more information, see the website or call Kathy Reid at 717-677-7466.