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Letter to the editor

Two days of happy hunting

Attention, holiday shoppers: Congregation B'nai Israel's show is coming soon.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Don't expect crocheted booties or tissue box covers at Congregation B'nai Israel's annual Gift and Craft Show.

More than 2,000 people are expected at the two-day event, which began 12 years ago as a Hanukkah festival and evolved into an occasion to pick up high-end items for the holidays.

The show has also become a major fundraiser for the congregation's education and social service projects, including the annual Mitzvah Day, when members go out to serve the community.

Albert and Linda Vesely, retired deans from the Ringling College of Art and Design, will be among 70 vendors in the show. The Veselys, owners of Pine Crossings Gallery in Little Switzerland, N.C., are participating for the first time.

"We represent 23 Appalachian potters and woodworkers and glassblowers," Linda Vesely said in a telephone interview.

"We're very, very selective and we are representing people that are in the Smithsonian, the Whitney Museum and the Mint Museum. We have selected the work of six of our potters to bring down to the show and the work of one of our woodworkers."

Judi Gordon, a member of the committee of about 15 congregation members who spend all year organizing the event, said that more than 100 volunteers will work during the show.

She added that many of the vendors are selected during scouting trips to national gift shows.

"It's more like fine crafts, and the gifts are more unusual than you find elsewhere, though we try very hard to make sure there are things at different price points so everybody can find something," she said.

This year artists and artisans will come from as far away as Thailand, South Africa, Mexico and Israel. Those who attend can expect to find jewelry, Judaica, crafts, clothing, toys, gifts for pets, and recycled and earth-friendly items.

An ethnic food court, children's crafts and movies, and a showing of the Bucs game also will be offered.

"We have something for everybody," Gordon said.

Waveney Ann Moore can be reached at wmoore@sptimes.com or 727 892-2283.

If you go

Fine gifts and crafts

Congregation B'nai Israel's Gift and Craft Show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at 300 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. Admission and parking are free. Call (727) 381-4900.

[Last modified November 24, 2007, 20:26:41]