Ten Thousand Villages Craft Sale

Here is our latest ad which will appear in the Johnson City Press soon. Look for it and let your friends know about our church! I want to dedicate this post to a great event we have going on this weekend. It is the Ten Thousand Villages Craft Sale. All of the proceeds will go to third world artisans. Last year we raised over $5,000. Folks who shopped carried away some fantastic Christmas presents. Here is the press release:

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton to host Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale

Festival sale invests in the lives of artisans around the world

(Elizabethton, Tenn) – November 18^th and 19^th, First Presbyterian Church will invest in the lives of artisans of around the world by selling their exquisite, handcrafted gifts and home décor. The event, which will be held in the John and Carolyn Martin Hall at First Presbyterian Church at 119 West F Street, Elizabethton offers a unique opportunity for citizens in the Tri-Cities community to invest in their world by shopping fair trade. Shoppers will also learn more about skilled artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Elizabethton’s first Presbyterian Church has hosted the festival for the last nine years, each year showcasing handcrafted items marketed by Ten Thousand Villages. Sale organizer Elizabeth McPherson says, “For more than 60 years Ten Thousand Villages has worked with talented artisans around the world providing vital, fair income in exchange for their beautiful handcrafted items. By holding this sale we give people in our community a chance to help others feed, clothe and educate themselves and their families.”

The sale of terra cotta piggy banks will directly impact the lives of Lucia Valdez and her family. Thirty years ago Lucia Valdez, of Pomaire, Chile, began to mold clay into hope for a brighter tomorrow. Intrigued by her grandmother’s coil-built clay cooking pots, she asked her sister-in-law to teach her how to shape clay into useful pieces. After much practice, Valdez established herself as a master craftswoman, forming locally dug clay into charming pig salsa dishes and piggy banks.

Her oldest son works with her in her workshop, which has generated enough income to support their family, Valdez said, “My work has provided an income for my family, but also allowed me to work with dignity. I feel as if I am more respected now, since I have my own business.”

Sales like this one owe their success to dedicated volunteers. Nearly thirty volunteers will be unpacking crafts, conducting the sale and cleaning up following the event. The public is invited to attend this unique and enjoyable sale Saturday November 18^th, 8 am – 3 pm and Sunday the 19^th from 1–3 pm at the First Presbyterian Church. Traveling east on 321 or Broad St. in Elizabethton, turn right onto S. Roan and go three blocks to turn right onto F St. The church is on the right.