Shoppers and vendors enjoy the holiday spirit and camaraderie during the 17th annual event.
Photo: UMB President Bruce Jarrell and his wife, Leslie Robinson, handed out cookies to shoppers and vendors at the Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 3. (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Holiday Craft Fair drew a crowd to the SMC Campus Center on Dec. 3, with shoppers browsing and buying a variety of handmade and homemade items in the Elm Ballrooms as holiday music played throughout the three-hour event.
UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and his wife, Leslie Robinson, MD, made their way around the fair admiring the crafters’ items and handing out chocolate chip cookies and UMB-branded sugar cookies to shoppers and vendors.
In one corner of the room, people took turns getting cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or mini-marshmallows. Elsewhere, UMB students, faculty, and staff members were checking out the merchandise, chatting, and enjoying the holiday spirit that filled the room.
(See a photo gallery and watch a video about the UMB Holiday Craft Fair below or on YouTube.)
Nancy Gordon, UMB’s executive director of protocol and special events, Office of External Relations, was taking it all in, calling the annual craft fair “the most wonderful day of the year” and marveling at its growth over the years.
“This is our 17th UMB Holiday Craft Fair,” said Gordon, who organizes the event along with Alice Powell, director of university events. “We started at Westminster Hall with about 20 vendors, and here we are with 50 this year.
“We have a lot of repeat vendors, many of whom have been doing our craft fair for 15 years. And, as always, there are a number of terrific vendors selling their crafts in the space outside the Elm Ballrooms welcoming shoppers to the event. It’s a terrific day.”
Carin Cardella, MA, MS, public information officer, UMB Police and Public Safety and Office of Emergency Management, said she comes to the craft fair every year to buy holiday gifts.
“It’s great to shop local to support our community and get something fun for my family and friends,” Cardella said. “There is such a great variety of different crafts. There are lots of things to enjoy here.”
Alexandra Pantaloni, a former University of Maryland School of Medicine employee and first-time vendor at the UMB craft fair, was selling soy candles and embroidered items. Pantaloni, who said she began embroidering a couple of years ago as a way to “keep my hands busy,” was impressed by the feeling of camaraderie among the vendors.
“The atmosphere is beautiful. I love it,” Pantaloni said. “Everybody has been so kind, nice, and supportive. And as everybody walks through, they compliment each other’s work. It’s great.”
Returning vendor Kim Shyman, through her company, Sandy’s Sugar Shack, was selling chocolate-covered pretzels and Oreo treats.
“They’re great little stocking stuffers or gifts for teachers, and kids love them,” she said. “I like doing the UMB craft fair. I always do pretty well here, and it always has a good turnout and is a good time.”
Doug Brotherton, instructional technology specialist, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, was selling candles made from bee’s wax.
“We source our wax from a Mennonite family farm up near Gettysburg. They’ve got over 3,000 hives all throughout Adams County,” he said. “When I purchase the wax, it comes in large, 30-pound blocks. I have to use a hammer and chisel to break it up. Then I melt it down, and I’ve got 60 to 70 different molds into which I cast the candles.”
Brotherton, a first-time vendor at the UMB craft fair, was enjoying the atmosphere, as well.
“I’ve seen a couple of co-workers from the dental school, and it’s actually been a little bit busier than I thought it would be prior to lunchtime, so it’s so far, so good,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect, having never been to this craft fair before. It’s very festive, and it’s been a great event.”