On Feb. 7, the R&R Coffee Cafeís craft fair, which is usually held on the upper level of the cafe, took place outdoors on the front patio because of the wonderful weather.Danielle Wanner, owner of the cafe, Kat Jones and Amanda Johnson organized the event.Jones said they have a fair about once a month during the winter months.They plan to have another craft fair March 28, featuring additional vendors. The group has a Facebook page called ìcraft fair haven Colorado,î and crafters are welcome to join. Jones said she posts the events and signs up vendors on a first-come, first-serve basis. ìWe try to stick with crafters, but also do some direct sales,î she said. They also recruit vendors from other craft fairs. Jones, Wanner and Johnson are opening a craft store at the Colorado Springs flea market.Johnson said they started with about 10 people, and now have more than 100 in their Facebook group. Jones said she tries to have about 10 crafters at each event, and about four direct sales businesses.Wanner, Jones and Johnson not only organized the event but also ran their own tables at the February fair. Wanner’s business, True 2 Oneself, promotes skin care products, such as hand cremes and lip balms, that she hand makes. Johnson makes jewelry using Swarovski crystals, and also does custom pieces in a variety of colors as part of her business, Anything Special Creations. She is also a photographer and includes her photos as part of the business. Jones creates microwaveable rice pillows, which she sews and scents herself, for her business, Quirky Gal Creations.Pam Redfern marketed her jewelry at the craft fair as well. Redfern, a biker and former burlesque dancer, wanted to find another creative outlet when she quit dancing; so she started Chaingang Jewelry. ìI used to design my own costumes,î she said. Redfern has been in business for two years, but has been making jewelry since she was a teenager. Redfern heard about the craft fair through the Facebook page, and she drives from Denver three to four months consecutively to participate.
