by Sunnie Redhouse
Daily Lobo
Former UNM staff employee Ruth Marciano had always wanted to work on her art and sell it at fairs, but she never had the time because she was busy with her career, she said.
On Wednesday, she had her chance.
Marciano was one of 86 vendors who filled the SUB Ballroom on Wednesday selling handmade crafts, such as jewelry and soap.
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Marciano was selling jars and glasses with designs she had painted on them.
"I have waited my whole life for time to make them," she said, referring to her painted glass and pressed flowers.
It is all part of the 42nd Annual ASUNM Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
"Our holidays tend to be more commercialized," Marciano said. "Handmade items are much more appreciated."
Vendors throughout Albuquerque were given the opportunity to rent booths and sell their handmade products at the three-day event.
"It brings in a sense of community to campus, as well as holiday spirit," said Rebecca Gauna, director of ASUNM's Craft Studio. "It gives students, faculty and staff members a chance to come in and get their gifts at a cheaper price and have them sent off in time."
Gauna said the event was a time to promote handmade crafts.
"When it's handmade, it's a little more special," she said. "We're promoting creativity."
Gauna said having the event before the holiday break is an important aspect to the event, because it gives students, faculty and staff members a chance to get some holiday shopping done.
With the help of six other Craft Studio staff members, Gauna said they were able to organize the event.
"It gives us the leadership skills that we need," Gauna said. "This should be one of the best we've had in a while."
The fair also includes entertainment, such as student musicians and holiday greeting card pictures taken with the Lobo Louie and Lobo Lucy.
Craft Studio staff member Liz McDonald said vendors, such as herself, participate in the event to sell their products and obtain finances to buy gifts for others.
"There's a lot of people around Albuquerque who wait for this to happen," she said. "Some of us are doing this to sell our stuff and so we can buy things for other people."
McDonald said although it is a chance for people to get shopping done, it is also a chance for vendors to get exposure.
"This is for the community to support the arts within New Mexico," she said.
UNM student Jillian Klenck had her handmade purses for sale. She said the designs and styles of her handbags make them unique.
Jillian had a bag on display made from a Lacoste polo shirt.
Klenck said she started to sell her handbags after receiving reactions from one she had made.
"They're all different," she said. "There's not a single one that's like the other."
UNM students Nicholas Pappas and Jonathan Liles said they enjoyed the diversity of the fair and how UNM facilitates the event.
"It exposed us to the different arts we don't get at UNM," Pappas said. "It gives UNM an image that it involves the community."
Liles agreed.
"It's a nice way to see new and different things," Liles said. "Every piece here is different. It makes it very individualized."
The fair hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
