New Carlisle and Park Layne were the sites of several holiday craft shows and festivals held Saturday afternoon, kicking off the holiday shopping season with hand-crafted local items not available in big box retailers.

The New Carlisle Senior Center hosted a craft show Saturday, with seven vendors selling an array of goods including hand-made blankets, scarves, and sweet treats created by residents of the senior complex. Students from Tecumseh Middle School’s Creative Hands organization also set up a booth, selling Christmas ornaments and other items crafted in their classroom.

Barb Piccone, manager of the center, said they try to increase attendance at the craft show each year, which raises funds for their annual Christmas party. Piccone said this year’s party is set for December 11, and that the Tecumseh Show Choir is set to perform. Residents from each of the complex’s 96 apartments are invited to the annual holiday party, plus a guest, and Piccone gives all of the residents gift cards for presents.

Sisters Cathy Sherman and Darleen Alkire brought an assortment of their handmade crocheted items to sell, including mermaid-tail afghans for kids, which have gained popularity this season due to social media postings. Sherman and Alkire both live in the center, and said this was their first time selling their crafts in the show.

Sandy’s Goodies of New Carlisle also set up a booth, selling hand-crafted chocolates, candies, and other sweet treats including buckeyes and chocolate-covered cherries.

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church also hosted their annual craft bazaar, which has been held at the Park Layne church for more than 20 years. Mary Spitler of Good Shepherd said that church members created and sold items using materials salvaged from the May flood of 2014, which nearly destroyed the church’s basement and everything inside.

Good Shepherd wasn’t able to host the bazaar last year, as the basement was still being repaired from the water damage, but Spitler said the church has held the event every other year for more than 20 years as a fundraiser for church operations.

“It’s been work but we have fun with it,” Spitler said. “We have a great response from the community, and each time that door opens up, you’re probably going to see a friendly face walk through.”

Dixie Gergal of Good Shepherd worked the bazaar greeting folks as they entered and acting as cashier for the food sales.

“We get to see lots of friends when we open that door,” Gergal said. “Sometimes, it’s the only time you get to see them each year,” she added.

Rancher’s Roast Beef donated many pounds of barbecue to be sold at the bazaar, as well as other hot items and desserts made by church members.

Homestead Feed and Supply of New Carlisle also hosted a Fall Festival on Saturday afternoon, with nearly a dozen local vendors selling locally-made and locally-raised goods in the large barn out back.

Watch the New Carlisle News’ Community Events section for more upcoming holiday craft shows and bazaars.