kreatedbykaren.net

My friend, Linda, and I attend the big art festival in Nappanee, Indiana every August. We have attended for about 16 years. We used to go up in one day, walk the rows and rows of booths and then drive all the way home. We decided that was too tiring and found a place to stay overnight. There is nothing that feels better than a hot shower after walking through dusty straw covered and sometimes muddy walkways. We were so tired by the end of our day that I wonder how we ever made it home when we didn’t stay overnight. I remember feeling almost sick with exhaustion. We suffered for a good cause! LOL

We stayed at a hotel near the festival one year but then discovered a nice bed and breakfast with a vacancy. Sharon Bontrager owns the Market Street Guest House where we have stayed every year since that discovery.
Visiting Sharon each year is like coming to visit an old friend. We catch up on what we each have been doing throughout the year. It is hard to break away and head to bed. We know though that we will be served a delicious homemade breakfast in the morning so we say goodnight. The picture shows her living room where we are encouraged to pick books from her shelf and sit down to read. We have done that! In the morning we are served in the sunporch shown to the left of the living room. I could spend hours looking at her collectibles. We are anxious to get to the craft fair so we don’t dally long.

Several of the same vendors stay with Sharon each year. That has lent to a few friendships with crafters too. Much like the crafters I have met online, these talented people are interesting to talk to and find out how they have been challenged in the world of being a craft vendor.

Speaking of online crafters, I have been introduced to a new blog, Bags By Melanie. Melanie is a crafter who juggles many talents. She crochets and makes fabulous key fobs on top of raising a family! Check out her blog to see how she manages.