By Leilani Roberts Ott
For Polly Underwood, “it’s a wonderful life,” she said.
After a life in California, she’s come back home to Muskogee, where she’ll share her love of making jewelry with everyone at the Christmas Bazaar. The arts and crafts show with 65 vendors is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday at Muskogee Civic Center.
A holiday craft show was a tradition for years here until a few years ago when it was canceled. It was hosted by a couple of different organizations. Cassandra Gaines, civic center manager, decided to bring it back. This is the first time for it to be hosted by the civic center.
“It has a history here,” Gaines said. “I’m doing it for revenue for the city and the civic center. I’ve got a good show lined up.”
There will be entertainment throughout the show along with a $100 Walmart give card being given away at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Vendors like Underwood are ready to share their talents. Born in Wagoner, Underwood had a 32-year as a teacher in San Jose, Calif., and decided to retire here. Her hobby for 15 years has been making jewelry like earrings, watches, bracelets — anything with crystals and gemstones. She learned her craft in California from several teachers. The most expensive thing she has is a $25 fresh-water pearl necklace. All of her earrings are $4 a pair.
“I did the show at First United Methodist Church,” she said. “I was pleased that people in Muskogee like my jewelry.”
She gets her pearls from a family friend who owns a pearl farm in China. Underwood said arts and crafts shows like this one are the best places to buy Christmas gifts.
“You can always go to a store, but only here can you find handmade, the only one like it, when you want to give something unique,” Underwood said.
While Underwood’s jewelry is different for the area, you’ll still find some of the items you expect to find at a craft show in this area like Christmas towels, potholders and oven mitts.
Erma Friend of Porter, 81, does these along with baking potato bags, throws, pillows and more.
“I’m a widow woman and that’s all I’ve got do. I sew and crochet on my little towels. It’s a bunch of junk,” she said and laughed. “I sew and crochet on my little towels. I do a little bit of everything.”
She said she has participated in arts and crafts shows at the civic center for about 10 years and was disappointed when they stopped.
“I’m proud to be back,” she said.
Making things people want is “my pleasure.”
If you go
WHAT: Christmas Bazaar.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday.
WHERE: Muskogee Civic Center.
COST: $3 per person.
INFORMATION: Cassandra Gaines or Amy Lynn, 684-6363, www.myspace.com/roxyspotlight, www.muskogeechamber.org.
FEATURES: Live entertainment hosted by Michael Anthamatten and The Roxy Spotlight Entertainers.
Today
1 to 1:55 p.m. — The Beauweevilz.
2 to 3 p.m. — Young talent showcase, hosted by Zach Alexander, Chelsey Kimble, Lauren McFarland, Cassie Motley, Shakira Davis.
3 to 3:15 p.m. — Zach Alexander.
3:15 to 3:30 p.m. — Micheal Rappe.
3:30 — Emily Chappell.
4 — Pat Mahoney.
4:30 p.m. — Muriel Saunders.
Saturday
1 to 1:55 p.m. — Oklahoma Kids talent showcase.
2 to 2:20 p.m. — Young talent showcase hosted by Micheal Rappe with Cassie Kimble, Hannah Kimble, Ashley Lynn, Ariana Klassen.
2:20 p.m. — Chelsey Kimble.
2:35 p.m. — Joshua Jackson.
2:50 p.m. — Micheal Rappe.
3:05 p.m. — Mindy Bartlett.
3:35 p.m. — Angie Cockrell.
4:05 p.m. — Tonnie Nichols.
4:35 p.m. — Muriel Saunders.
