CASA 2011 Craft & Bake Sale

The 4th Annual Coronado Craft and Bake sale in Coronado had one of its best ever events yet. This year’s fair hosted around 30 vendors who set up tables and offered an array of specialty items. From artists with canvases to fused glass sinks, to hand-made cosmetics, hemp clothing and an abundance of home-baked breads and goods. The fair was well attended by both customers looking for that unique item, to the vendors who happily filled the demand.  Many vendors and charities bring their products to this fair once a year, and sales go to fund various causes. The event itself is put on by the Coronado Area Social Association (CASA), a group that was formed in 2007 to help new residents coming into the Coronado area connect with activities and information resources. The Craft and Bake sale, is one of the several important events that CASA organizes.

Earlier in the year, the group put on two well-attended beach picnics, where people bring a dish to share. One picnic was followed by a Chili Cook-Off, where the community’s best chili cooks, match their crock pot skills against each other, in a blind taste test. Last year’s winner walked away with a $100 and for the benefit of all, the recipe is published in Playacommunity.com in the recipe section.  During the year CASA has organized a few other outings such as a visit to the Royal Palace and a day at the Races.

Towards the end of the year, CASA puts on the Craft and Bake sale, which has been gaining a reputation for becoming more of a one-of-a-kind show, due to the unique vendors that attend. The main purpose of CASA’s table at the fair is to raise money for an annual food basket drive for the benefit of under privileged families with handicapped children. This year CASA raised over $1200 from silent auctions, sales of baked goods and donations. These funds will go towards the basket drive, with delivery in San Carlos on the morning of December 16th.
 
The CASA year always ends with their annual Christmas dance. It is a chance for the beach folks, to dress up and have an evening out on the town. This year’s dance will be held on Saturday, December 17th at La Carreta restaurant, in Coronado’s Equestrian Center. The venue offers an open air, covered roof, which makes for a great dance floor. Tickets are now on sale.  While the dance is just for members and guests, becoming a member costs only $5, and is well worth the price for invitations to CASA’s many fun events. To reserve tickets for the dance, email csa2008p@gmail.com.
 
In the four years since making an entrance at the beaches, the Coronado Area Social Association, has seen many changes. The organization elects a new volunteer board every year, who offer a friendly face to new comers through the various events they host. The association stands as a testament to the growth in the area’s expat community. The current CASA president is Louise Belisle, a retired French Canadian living in Coronado.  CASA welcomes new members to its organization. 
 
Vendors at the CASA Craft & Bake Sale
 
CASA. Offered an array of home baked goods donated by members and featured baguettes from Queso Chela in Capira. Members and businesses generously supplied items for the silent auction which included paintings, gift certificates for various businesses, services, and restaurants. They also received cash donations. Some companies are purchasing required food items going towards the stocking of the 60 food baskets that will be distributed on December 16th in San Carlos. To become a member contact them at csa2008p@gmail.com.
 
Afghans by Sharon. These are handmade crocheted Afghans which can take up to 70 hours to make. Great as decorations, baby’s blankets or to just snuggle up on the couch on those chilly days. Contact info: insidepahama2@yahoo.com.
 
Amarillis Arts & Crafts. Christmas decorations of all sizes, hand made Panamanian house replicas, and other crafts. Amarillis also does tours and works with CASA on a regular basis. Contact info: amarillisflower@yahoo.com.
 
Bernarda Art Pieces. From furniture with hand painted detail s to a shell inlaid mirror, unique designs, paintings, decorative art. Contact info: bjess2012@hotmail.com.
 
Biscotti & Cookies. These ladies are gourmet cooks and specialize in scrumptious cookies and biscotti. Cookies are candied ginger, chocolate or lemon. Biscotti flavors include rosemary cashew, chocolate almond, lemon poppy seed, cantuccini de prato (anise), crystallized ginger. They also make Mediterranean olive oil & orange cake, red velvet cake and tomato soup spice cake. Will bake for special events. Contact: tc@mcveydesign.com.
 
Felted Wool Bowls. Wool creations made from organic wool and novelty yarns, embellished with beads and buttons. They are beautiful displayed on their own or can hold small items like jewelry and keys. Contact: connie438@gmail.com.
 
Candace & Ronald Story Paintings. This couple from Altos are both passionate artists and are enjoying their creative journeys.  Color and creations with a mystical touch is their passion. Contact info: candace.story@yahoo.com.
 
Cielo Azul Artworks. Chris Mann & Linda Moeser, jewelry artists, produce handmade lamp work glass bead high end jewelry. They also have fine pens for that special gift. Contact info: lmoes711@gmail.com.
 
Coronado  Bible Church. This group of volunteers offered up baked good, water, shell handicrafts, rustic landscape painting on wood.  The funds go towards helping young girls with supplies upon giving birth and various outreach programs.  You can reach them at missions@coronadobiblechurch.org.
 
Club Kiwanis Canal de Panama. Always a great charitable organization, the sales of their handicrafts go towards building schools, libraries, help communities that are less fortunate.  They are presently raising funds for shelters for abused kids.  If you want to participate, please contact Leonor Arrocha at: lmarrocha10@gmail.com.
 
Hemp & Chocolaterie.  An array of hemp oil soap, incense, lip balms and hemp clothing of which sizes vary from S to 2X.  A variety of T-shirts for men and women as well as dresses, capries, pants, shorts. A nice selection of styles.  Jan is also available to do home parties. Contact info: janhemp@yahoo.com.
 
Jim Corp. Owner of a gallery in Altos de Maria, Jim is a painter that specialized in abstract art joining color to create depth. Contact info: corp-jim@yahoo.com.
 
Judy McLean Batiks. An ancient art form done with hot wax and dyes producing beautiful fabric based art. They can hang on the wall or even in a window giving luminescence to the piece.  Judy is in El Valle and is available for custom work based on your theme or color choices. Contact info: jsmpanama@hotmail.com.
 
Leet’s Pool Supplies.  A pool cleaning system without chlorine! Simple to maintain, no worrying about PH and do not have to buy additional chemicals.  This system uses a process with copper and silver. The only distributor of Townsen Tec in Panama. Contact him at: jwleet@aol.com.
 
Leonor Molina Creations. Fabric with a twist: Hand made lingerie, painted fabrics, tablecloths and runners, towels, Christmas ornaments, curtains. Contact info: leonoramolinas50@hotmail.com.
 
Mariela Watson’s Molas. Mariela is joined by her grand mother and together they fabricate molas in various traditional designs. They are also available to help you with Kuna tours.n Contact them at: hvwalker@yahoo.ca.
 
Martha’s Fused Glass. Martha designs include pendants, earrings, and slumped wine bottles to be used as platters. Every piece is unique. She even has a glass sink!  Many pieces have 3 layers of glass which are cut and fused together. Her pieces are available at La Hauca, near the Continental hotel. Contact info:  insidepanama@yahoo.com.
 
Nancy Candles & Gifts. An array of glass holders and candles from the Partylite Candles & Gifts line. Beautiful Christmas decorations available. Contact info: drwills@hotmail.com.
 
Panama Animal League (PAL). A local group that rescues street and abandoned dogs, brings them back to health and finds forever homes. They published a PAL Cookbook with easy and fun recipes. The profits fund the project paying for vets, meds and vaccines.  Visit their website: www.palpanama.com. Contact info: palpanama@gmail.com  or call 240.9984.
 
Pauline Semi Precious Jewelry. One of a kind jewelry made of semi precious stones inlaid in silver and various twines.  You can find Pauline at the El Valle market on most days. She is the stall closest to the tourist info booth. Contact info: lafeesopaline@hotmail.fr.
   
Panamapeg. Peggy, a local resident collects sand dollars and shells and gets creative. She turns them into greeting cards and decorative items with a beach theme. Available on order at panapeg@hotmail.com.
 
Quillows 2. Diane and Gae have been quilting for the better good! They support various charitable projects by making a fun quilt that can wrap itself into a pillow. Custom orders are accepted. Contact info: wilcoxdiane@hotmail.com  or gaenorspeed@gmail.com.
 
Rainforest Papers. Handmade paper journals, boxes, perpetual calendars, notebooks, kindle covers and more. Rainforest Papers is a passionate hobby for talented paper artist Christine Trexel, who also does custom books, basic book repair and papermaking classes. Her goods are available at Bambusillo in El Valle, Papiro y Yo in Casco Viejo and in the gift shops at a number of Panama City hotels. You can reach her at rainforestpapers@gmail.com.
 
Sandy Hawkins Xmas. Sandy does hand painted crafts as well as pet portraits. Nancy DeLong does custom order sewing such as table covers, dog beds and hand bags. Contact info: sandyhawkinsk9artist@gmail.com.
 
Soul Accessories. Nedelka this year is working with beads and quartz to make her beautiful jewelry and other accessories. Her work is inspired by African designs with ethnic features. For your own unique piece, contact her at nedebell@hotmail.com.
 
Spay the Strays: A group of volunteers acting to control the stray dog and cat population in the Pacific Beach and mountain areas selling Spay Panama 2012 calendars (with US and Panama holidays), doggie treats, as well as gently used DVDs, CDs, and books.  Check out their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spay-the-Strays-Panama/134192936624937?sk=info. Contact info: spaythestrays@gmail.com.
 
The Kasbah Gallery: Artist Mary Howard opened her own gallery in Costa Esmeralda – Villa Maria building.  There she has original paintings as well as reproductions, hand dyed silks scarves and accessories. Check out her website: www.mary-j-howard.com. Contact info: caspareva@yahoo.com.
 
Veryca: Veronica and Carlos from the famous Bambusillo Restaurant in El Valle also do artwork which recycles bamboo; make jewelry out of copper, bronze, rain forest seeds and semi precious stones. Contact info: sentimientovalero@gmail.com.
 
Viviana’s Soaps and Creams. Handmade soaps, creams, alchemy, lip balm, massage oils and facial scrubs.  Everything is made with natural materials, flowers, fruits, oils. Everything naturally delicious! Her products are sold in Bambusillo in El Valle. Contact info: 9sven9@gmail.com.