Artisans A-plenty!

The Coronado Social Association had their second annual Craft and Bake Sale this past Saturday, November 14 at the Equestrian Club in Coronado. Though a different venue from last year the display of crafts and baked goods was still as impressive. The outdoor venue gave a different feel to this years show while bringing us some of our favorite vendors from last year and some new faces as well. The wonderful thing about this show is that you just never know what you are going to be able to find, and there were treasures aplenty!! One of my favorite booths was the CSA themselves. Someone had the great idea of recycling old vinyl albums into bowls!! And they looked really great!! They also recycled coconuts into these wonderful little penguins that would make a great addition to anyone's terrace. They also of course provided baked goods, all donated, where the funds went towards purchasing gift baskets for Christmas for local families with disabled family members. And of course there was the sale of the now infamous Calendar Girls Calendar for $10. It was quite interesting to watch several purchasers go around the fair and obtain signatures of each of the ladies who participated!!

Quillows Too was present this year, wilcoxdiane@hotmail.com . Diane creates  beautiful homemade quilts  that can also turn into a pillow and they come with their own carrying bag.  She will make you a custom quilt should you wish, you can even pick from all different kinds of material she has or she will search out a specific one for you. Quilts range from $30 to $70.

Finca La Maya was also represented again bringing along some great Christmas tree decorations and decorations for you home. Beside the now famous Pepper Jelly there was also Mango Chutney which had 16 spices in it, some even from France!! Sure to be the next hit at your party!

By now we have probably all been to the San Fernando Clinic, they have quickly become a part of our beach community. They were also represented and are now offering a special membership plan that includes discounts with them along with other businesses such as Price Smart. Be sure to drop in and say hello to check out their promotion, even more of which are going to be offered in December! And thanks for being there for us guys!!

For those of you who attended the fair you may have seen local Canadian artist Podi Lawrence doing an actual painting during the show. Local residents Chuck and Brenda were kind enough to pose and it was quite neat to see the portrait taking shape throughout the day. Podi will be having a show of her artwork at the Mary Palmer Gallery in the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City in February of 2010.  Check her website at www.podiarts.com for further information.

A new comer this year was the Bamboo table that offered a variety of lovely towels, sheets and blankets. (I've never felt anything so soft!!)  Owner Diana Storin offers her products in the San Francisco area and can be reached at decotrend09@gmail.com .  These truly are a luxurious item and if your environmentally conscious they are made from a renewal source, are biodegradable and highly breathable in our humid climate.

There were some awesome unique items, lots of color, three different types of  homemade jewelery displays, sure to make you stand out in a crowd. Other participantes this year included local firm Palmex, Franco Getzy's concrete sculptures, Sugerencia San Malo, B.S. Panama Cards, Club Kiwanis Canal de Panama, Spay and Neuter and many many more.  The Coronado Social Associations annual fair is not, in my opinion, your typical North American craft sale, it's oh so much better!!

Finally a big thank you must go out to CSA VP Louise Belisle who works tirelessly to make this all happen for the last two years. (and also attends to her own booth!) What a great community event and a great way to spend a Saturday in Panama!! Looking forward to it again next year.

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