LeAnn Childs, owner of Child’s Craft Corner, was selling her handcrafted doll clothes at the Alexander Findley Community Library’s Annual Fall Craft Show. Photos by David Prenatt

FINDLEY LAKE — They came in force wearing short sleeves, sandals, shorts and skorts, even though it was Nov. 5.

The Alexander Findley Community Library’s annual fall craft show, which has been a pillar of the autumn season for more than two decades, took place in the Findley Lake Fire Hall on an unseasonably warm day when temperatures topped 72 degrees. More than 30 vendors displayed and sold their hand-crafted items to a crowd that was consistent throughout the day, according to library manager Cala Glatz.

“It was hopping,” Glatz said. “There is quite a variety of items and lots of options for people to choose from.”

Not only was it a steady stream of patrons to the vendor tables, but the kitchen ran completely out of food before the end of the day.

“I was happy about that,” Glatz said. “Usuallly there is leftover food and the people in the kitchen ask ‘what do we do with this?'” she noted that the hot dogs were the first thing to run out.

The vendors certainly seemed happy with the turnout.

“It’s been busy since the opening,” said LeAnn Childs of Dewitville. “We haven’t been to this show for 10 years and there happened to be an opening right at the last minute.”

She said they were very glad they were able to come.

It was the first craft fair ever for Sophia Avetta who, with her father, Aaron, her mother, Jen, and her little sister, Guinevre, was selling handmade soaps, knitted items, candles and other goods.

“I love it — it’s awesome being here,” Sophia said.

Jen explained that Sophia got a soap-making kit for her birthday and liked it so much that she pursued the craft. Jen knitted ear warmers and Guinevre made bracelets.

“We kept adding more,” Jen said. “and we asked ourselves ‘what are we going to do with all these things?'”

The Avettas, who are from a town outside of Pittsburgh, decided to be vendors at the library’s fall craft show.

Jennifer Light of Ripley was offering handmade jewelry and crocheted, knitted and sewn items.

“We’ve been doing this for 25 years. It’s been a very busy day compared with other years,” she said. “We like to support this craft fair because it is so beautiful here.”

Sarah Foley of Buffalo was selling an assortment of kitchen textiles. She came to this craft fair particularly to spend time with her grandmother, Joann Malecki who volunteered at the library for many years.

“It’s been really good all day. I think the good weather is encouraging people to come out,” said Foley.

Barbra Fisher of Buffalo was selling ceramic Koi fish and pond-shaped bird baths. Fisher, who grew up on the west coast, said she was inspired by the Asian influence there, and she especially loved the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

“It’s been going really well,” she said. “We’ve had a steady stream of people.”

She added that she thinks Findley Lake is beautiful.

Randi Palacio of Findley Lake was selling baked goods and handmade cards, assisted by her three year-old daugher, Adalynn.

“It’s been really good. We’ve had a good stream of people all day,” she said.

In fact, most of the vendors seemed to agree with Glatz that the best part of the library’s fall festival was the people who came out on such a beautiful November day.

“It was great just seeing the people out and about,” Glatz said. “There were lots of kids, too, which is really great. It really was a family-oriented event.”