Bazaars and craft faires.....

Bazaars and craft faires....

Yesterday was the long awaited big day of the beginning of large crafts shows and bazaars to start off the season of shopping for something unique for gifts...oh, there have been a few stragglers  before now, but yesterday's list was the biggest so far...now they are nonstop...

Early in our married life, I took part in them wherever we lived...I would design and execute crafts, follow new patterns hot in the market, set up my booth, and hope to sell something....my hottest items were underwear and fluffy animals slippers for Cabbage patch dolls as well as pound puppies of all colors and sizes...then I would have Christmas presents for everyone that needed whatever was leftover...and making money on the crafts was a bonus...what fun...and a lot of work...

We have been in little market places wherever we have travelled....a market place set up in the square in puente arenas, Chile....the black market in Mongolia....street markets in western China, Caribbean, Central America, islands in the Pacific Ocean ...some crafts were so inexpensive we "just knew" people back home would appreciate them and others were REALLY expensive or too bulky to transport...we hunted for Hard Rock Cafe shirts in exotic places and other "specialties"....what fun....

People are talented all over the world and make use of the materials they have at hand...alpaca, camel, goat and sheep wool, shells, silk, fabrics,  linen, recycled "trash", coconut shells, seed pods, grasses, skins, minerals...etc. etc. etc...

It made me think of Lydia in the New Testament... "A dealer in purple cloth"... In the market place....she had something specific to sell..
Acts 16:13-15 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 

Or the Proverbs 31 woman...executing business ...taking care of her household...as many of the crafters are women...
Proverbs 31:10-31 A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night;she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

I appreciate the hours of design, toil and selling at each booth that these  people have put into their craft...and am thankful for their sharing of their talents...their diligence .....Thank YOU that many profess your name as they meet others in the market place...

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