HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Looking to do some holiday shopping? Well, consider buying locally at North East Alabama Craftsmen's Association Holiday Craft Show happening this weekend at the Von Braun Center.
Sandra Jones, local crafter and owner of Decor and More located at Junkabilities, LLC, is one of the many vendors taking part in the show.
"I've been crafting probably 30 years off and on. It started years and years ago before we lost my mother in law to give her something to do after her husband had passed away," Jones said.
These local crafters come together to share their labors of love with the community.
Brandy Mann who works in advertising for the NEACA craft show shares this is the 49th annual Holiday Show, "here at the VBC at the South Hall, and all the vendors are local small businesses, handcrafted items and you can find all the holiday needs that you can find."
At each NEACA craft show, all proceeds from booth sales go to local charities or college scholarships. Since 1973, they've raised more than $1,000,000 dollars.
And as you make your way through the wide variety of crafts, love and community are the common themes here.
Mann adds, "most of the people that come in here have been coming for years. And it's a friendship that we built not only with other vendors, but with the customers that come in here.
You can find comfort in the family atmosphere.
Jones makes all kinds of crafts but has a passion to help those who have lost a loved-one.
"I hope that I can, you know, make somebody feel a little bit better with a pretty arrangement for their loved one," Jones said.
And for many crafters, this is how they support their families, "it's not just a side hustle job, but this is how we put food on the table," Mann said.
The holiday craft show will continue through Sunday (12/4) from noon until 5PM.