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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Show helps people craft Christmas Memories


Diana Smith of Purple Fashions Etc. smiles at customers Friday during the Christmas Memories show at the Sports USA Complex. 
 (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Shoppers hoping to buy some “Cheap Women” as holiday gifts should plan on attending the Christmas Memories craft fair in Spokane Valley this weekend.

The figurines made from copper and molded into the shape of “floozy” ladies won’t be available for long. They come only once a year, handmade by Sandy Balch and brought in from Oregon.

“I sell them like mad,” said Balch, who has made her living selling her wares at craft fairs for 25 years. “People just love the name.”

Balch is among 150 vendors who have set up shop for the show, which continues today through Sunday at Sports USA on Cataldo Avenue near Barker Road.

The annual event has a unique collection, from traditional quilts, handmade ornaments and scented pot holders to stained-glass wind chimes and hand-carved wood frames.

The vendors dress in turn-of-the century costumes, giving the show an old-world atmosphere.

On Friday, shoppers wandered on the red carpet, taking in the holiday lights and St. Nick-knacks while crooning along with Christmas tunes.

“It’s never too early for some Christmas shopping,” said north Spokane resident Dick Divens. He came to the craft fair with his wife, Jeannine.

“We go our own separate ways, and keep in touch with walkie-talkies,” Divens said, pulling his radio out of his pocket.

Divens had already purchased a Christmas gift for his wife, but didn’t want to divulge his purchase to a reporter for fear of “letting the cat out of the bag.”

Some shoppers just came for ideas, eager to start crafting their own masterpieces for the holidays.

“It’s all under one roof, so you don’t have to drive from store to store,” said Annetta Farr, 68. “It gets me in the mood.”

Others knew exactly what they were looking for, and steered away from tempting purchases like hand-milled soap or crocheted doilies.

“Some of it’s just junk; you’ve got to be pretty picky,” said Jackie Rainbolt of Spokane. “At this stage in my life I’m not buying anything I don’t need.”

“Cheap Women” vendor Balch, 63, started making her copper ladies after a breast cancer diagnosis nine years ago, when her doctor suggested she give up more strenuous work with clay. Each doll comes with hair, also made out of copper, shredded into fine curls. They cost between $16 and $50, but if you want your cheap gal to have a purse and a hat, that will cost extra.

“It’s just a fun way to shop and support local people,” Balch said of the show. “People come here looking to buy things they can’t find anywhere else.”