'Friendly' crafters' show opens Friday

They could be called one of the friendliest groups of crafters around, maybe because making friends has always been one of their biggest aims.

For six years, crafters with A Touch of Class have met to share ideas and show each other what they're working on prior to their annual show in October.

"We come together and show each other our crafts and share information," said organizer Sue Bennett. "We can say we need something (for a craft) and somebody in the group's going to know where to get it. It's fun to get together and work as a team."

The camaraderie between A Touch of Class crafters probably began because of the reasons Sue Bennett formed A Touch of Class six years ago.

"When we moved here six years ago, I didn't know anyone," said Bennett. "I was very depressed. It was tough. I put an ad in the newspaper. It was a great way to meet people."

Now members begin meeting each year in June and do an inventory of who is returning and who is not, and who wants to join. The turnover each year is about one-third, with the amount of crafters staying about the same, at 25.

Bennett has the craft show at her house in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Everything, including pictures and furniture, is removed from her living room. Tents are set up on their 18- by 40-foot deck. Volunteers come by with food periodically to sustain the weary crafters during the shows.

"What is it like to live in this house?" asked Bennett. "From Tuesday on, there is no place to sit and relax and when the show closes in the evening, the kitchen is buried under wonderful goodies, so cooking is impossible."

Although Bennett's husband Bill is pretty much confined to his recliner during the events leading up to and during the show, he has discovered his own reasons for wanting his wife to continue in A Touch of Class, according to Bennett.

"Our husbands get together now, without us planning anything," Bennett said.

This year's sale is this week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1467 Glenwood Drive. Once on Riverview Drive, off of Highway 395, just follow the yellow signs. Friday and Saturday's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday the sale will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit atouchofclassnv.com or call 265-0800.

Items the crafters have for sale each year vary, and include gifts, decorations, holiday items, custom Santas, jewelry, baby items, gourds, decorated clothing, quilts, Christmas ornaments, centerpieces, kitchen items and men's gifts. Some new items this year are more types of jewelry, baby blankets, Red Hat items and feather baskets with pine cones.

"We have some fun stuff this year," said Bennett. "I get way too many ideas."

The format for the show is somewhat different than other craft shows, according to Bennett. All the crafts are mixed together and there is a central cashier area where everything purchased may be paid for at one time. Bennett said this is a more comfortable atmosphere for the shopper, since they are free to roam around and inspect all the treasures.

"It's not your typical craft show where everyone's competing against each other. We're really routing for each other. People can poke and poke for hours and there's nobody staring at them and looking hungry."

Last year, some of the leftovers were donated to the Family Support Council of Douglas County. This year, Bennett is talking to the other crafters, trying to drum up support for the Carson Valley Children's Center. She is planning on donating a percentage of her profits to the center, which is currently under construction in Minden.

Bennett's not sure exactly what keeps more than 400 people returning year after year - whether it's the abundance and variety of crafts, the relaxed atmosphere, the hourly door prizes, free coffee and cookies at checkout, or the friendly, local crafters who are proud of what they do.

"We're doing something right," said Bennett. "It's fun to do. It's fun to meet people and see them really happy when they find a craft they like."

Marjory Lucas joined A Touch of Class for the same reason Bennett started the group.

"I'd lived here a year, been through one winter, and I'd driven my husband crazy," said Lucas. "I needed something to do, and participating in a craft fair was it."

Lucas brought her crafts over to show Bennett six years ago, and they decided she had something that would sell that was different than the other crafters.

"There's no competition. Sue takes care of that and makes sure we don't duplicate each other," said Lucas.

"Crafters don't sit by their own items so you don't have the person looking over your shoulder. Because the house is so decorated, it's more eye-pleasing," she said. "The whole environment is more people friendly. It's been a wonderful thing."

n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.