Campus was temporarily transformed into a hot spot for holiday shopping Saturday and Sunday.
Thousand of patrons made a trip to the Union to browse through four floors, each packed with a variety of arts and crafts - or even potential presents.
The Union Activities Board’s Arts and Crafts Show completed another successful year, bringing in vendors and customers from near and far.
In its 37th year, many participants say the event is known for its size and variety.
“Many people know it’s coming every year and they know there’s lots of choices,” said Carol Whearty, a jewelry designer who’s sold her wares at the show for 12 years. “It gets good customer support and they come ready to buy.”
Communication junior Sarah Marks, a Union Activities Board member, said there weren’t any major changes to the event this year.
But planners have considered bringing in more vendors next year to continue building support.
“If people know about it and they’ve been here before, they look forward to returning,” said Carolyn Burke, a general management sophomore and member of the Union Activities Board. “Or they ask about specific crafters.”
Although the show featured Christmas decorations and crafts, a large variety of goods were available. Customers strolling among the booths - all 250 of them - could find clothing, pottery, soaps, candles, jewelry and many other unique gift ideas.
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to see it all,” said Helen Hill, a Florida native who came to the show Sunday while visiting some family in nearby Williamston.
Hill bought many things and said she does a good deal of Christmas shopping for family members at arts and crafts shows.
“There’s different things you can’t normally find in stores,” she said. “I know I’m going to go home and think, ‘I wish I would’ve got that.’”
Betty Smith, who brought her crafts from Indiana, said this weekend is the last show for many crafters before the holidays.
“After this, most of the malls are putting stuff on clearance and more people go there,” she said. “November is our biggest month.”
Some show coordinators said the event is held the first weekend of December every year, which gives Union Activities Board members time to plan the events before the end of the semester.
And the show’s timing and location was also preferable for many students looking to buy gifts for family and friends or just to enjoy some shopping on a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
“We just came because we like arts and crafts shows,” said Andrea Morgan, a criminal justice freshman. “And I was looking for something for my mom for Christmas.”
