Published: November 21, 2007 09:28 pm         

Santa’s Showcase set for 30th event Saturday

When Margaret Land first started making crafts, she sold her handmade goods out of a 1970s-era Ford Pinto.

She would lay her wares in her trunk and layer the floppy-eared rabbits and blankets she’d stitched over the seats and floorboards for display.

“Mother and I would take off to the shows,” Land said.

Land’s husband, Henry, has since built his bride a trailer to haul her goods to shows.

Land and Doy Franklin, organizers of Saturday’s annual Santa’s Showcase, along with a handful of other local and area crafters, have been selling handmade items for the last several decades.

“We used to do five different states,” Land said.

Santa’s Showcase is celebrating its 30th year. At least a few of the nearly 100 vendors have been at it for 25 or more years.

Artist Lillian Foulks was busy setting up her antiques booth Wednesday in the Cherokee Strip Conference Center. Foulks, who said she’s been crafting and collecting for more than 50 years, was one of the original participants when the event was held in the Hoover Building on Garfield County Fairgrounds.

“I’ve been here since they’ve had it,” Foulks said. “I don’t think I’ve missed one that I know of.”

Foulks picked up her trade as an artist after first getting into crafting.

“I got into this first — that’s how I learned to be an artist,” Foulks said.

Foulks sells handmade crafts and antiques. She chooses to sell antiques and collectibles during Santa’s Showcase. She said she has nearly 60 boxes of goods at her home. She even rotates the antiques so she doesn’t offer the same pieces each year.

“I haven’t seen some of this stuff since 1998,” she said as she unpacked boxes.

She picks up the items at garage sales and estate auctions throughout the year. She’s also become knowledgeable about antiques and is able to spot a bargain.

“You’ve got to know your stuff,” Foulks said. “You know what’s collectible and what’s not.”

Traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa’s Showcase combines nearly 100 booths with everything from hand-dipped pine cones, magnetic scrapbooks, Christmas items and decor to cast iron items, purses and baby items, in one place.

Vendors from Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas set up booths to showcase all sorts of crafts — most of which are hand-made.

“This year, we’ve really got a good assortment of stuff,” Land said.

A concession stand featuring chicken and noodles also will be available.

Shirley Waugh, of Covington, also has been crafting and selling items at the event for as long as anyone can remember. Waugh set up her booth early Wednesday, in time to shop and start cooking Thanksgiving dinner for her family.

Waugh said she first started crafting out of boredom after her three daughters grew up and moved out of state.

“I needed something to do,” Waugh said.

Waugh does a lot of wood painting and other items and says she gets her ideas from magazines or postcards.

“I make a stab at seeing if I can reproduce it,” Waugh said.

Waugh said she looks forward to the shows because she gets to see the friends she’s made over the last quarter-century at the shows.

Foulks also enjoys making new friends.

“I enjoy coming and visiting with the people,” Foulks said.

Santa’s Showcase is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cherokee Strip Conference Center. Admission is free.