BILLINGS — Christmas shoppers in Billings had the opportunity to support local artists and craftspeople at This House of Books 2nd annual Holiday Craft Fair Saturday.
“We’re a co-op book store and we like to support local whenever we can. We’ve got a variety of local vendors, some of whom made the goods themselves, some who are selling secondary items," said Julie Schultz, This House of Books Treasurer.
Local vendors sold a variety of items, including: photographs, jewelry, ceramics and knives. A seamstress was selling stockings she had made from re-purposed men's suit coats and other sewn items.
Every kid that walked through the door was given a free book to take home with them.
The craft fair is an opportunity for local craftspeople to share their story with hundreds of people that came through the bookstore.
"We’ve probably had 300 people through the doors," said Schultz.
Carole Boerner is a Billings wildlife photographer who sold her work at the fair. She picked up a camera six years ago after retiring from her government job. Other than one picture of Central Park in New York City, all her photos for sale were taken in Montana or Yellowstone National Park.
“It’s great to see how many people have come into this store today. I’ve gotten to sell a few calendars and a few magnets. It has been heart warming watching these kids come in and be excited to buy books," Boerner said.
This House of Books started the craft fair at this time last year. After finding success with the first fair, the store put it on several more times throughout 2019.
