Church Fundraiser Boasts Handmade Crafts

For 17 years, Pat Reed has organized the annual Christmas Craft Show at .

She starts the search for crafters in September, inviting anyone who offers handmade items, from Christmas decorations to baby blankets to jewelry.

This year, Reed found 27 interested crafters, who give a percentage of their sales to the church, to fill the room.

"We always have a full house here, though we may not have the same crafters," she said. "We do have some crafters who have been here since the very beginning, though."

Seventeen years ago, Reed suggested the women's club at the church run a craft show to help make money for church programs.

"They said, 'Good idea. We'll do it if you run it,'" Reed said. "So, I've run it ever since."

The three-day craft show attracts customers beyond the church's congregation.

Mary Ann McKenzie and Teresa Lim, who aren't members of the church, traveled from McLean to see what the show had to offer this year.

McKenzie has been coming to the craft show for several years and suggested Lim browse through the items, as well.

Clutching hand towels she found at the show, Lim said she's glad she tagged along.

"I kept saying, 'I will make them!' I never made them. It's easy to just buy it from someone who did make them," Lim laughed.

McKenzie knew her friend would find an item or two at the Oakton church.

"There's always lovely craft things," she said. "Of course you're going to find something for you or someone else."

The Christmas Craft Show is open today until 7 p.m. and then continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 20.