B24—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 28,1981 Shopping here will spread a little Christmas spirit BY DEBBIE KOONTZ EPHRATA Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us, our thoughts, our plans, and, especially, our purses seem devoted to that favorite of all holidays—Christmas. Are you having trouble thinking of just the right gift for everyone on your shopping holiday list? Of, if the gift idea isn’t the problem, is finding the money to pay for it causing ■quite a headache? Then here is a place for you to shop: the Self-Help Craft Gift Shop in Ephrata. This shop is a marketing outlet for skilled craftspeople in 20 countiyes around the world who, because they live in poor countries or are refugees or handicapped, sell their work to the shop in order to earn a living. The program is part of the Mennomte Central Committee, a relief and service agency supported by Mennonites and Brethren in Christ. The MCC operates the shop on a nonprofit basis and actually sells the pieces at a price which includes only the craftaperson’s asking price plus shipping and overhead costs. Therefore, items of brass, wood, ceramic, jute, and many more, are offered at a low retail price. How would you like to give a brass candle stick holder costing less than $7 to a close friend? Wood belt buckles run at a low 70 cents. Nativity scenes handcarved from wood, run as low as $7.95. Know anybody who collects elephant figurines? nutcrackers? macrame? dishes? towels? They have them all and they’re all handmade. As you may have guessed, this is not a small operation. In fact, Paul Leatherman, director of the Self-Help Craft program, looks over a shipment of three new handcarved wooden pitchers. Mr. Leatherman says he tries to pick items with the buyers in .mind. His main cqncern - will people be proud to give it as a gift? These handcrafted lativtty scenes are a left goes for $9.95. The figurines? A low $9.95 favorite Christmas item. The scene in the to $24.95. middle sells for as low as $7.95. The one to the there are 42 stores like this one throughout the United States; and just as many in Canada. However, the difference is, this is where the program had its start and this is where the headquarters and central shipping point are located. According to Paul Leatherman, director, the main goal behind the program is “a matter of providing employment for people in poorer countries.” The fact that we as consumers benefit from the program, too, seems beside the point. And it has always been this way, ever since Mrs. Byier of Ephrata first offered crafts from people in Puerto Rico in the late 1940’5. These first few crafts were cross stitch tablecloths and napkins, and came to Mrs. Byier through the MCC who at the tune was in Puerto Rico doing agricultural development. Since then the program has grown to include over 20 countries. Among these are Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, and Haiti. Leather man says he is expecting a ship ment from Turkey shortly and expects Ecuador to follow soon. They also offer turquoise items Recently a display was set up in The busmess is growing about JO Fairfield . This three-day event percent a year toough both the pro fitedmorethan|36,ooo. United States mid the retail store & the crafts> Leatherman says, in Ephrata. Leatherman says **xhey are all handmade. They simply, “People recognize a have a very high degree of hand bargain when they see it.” labor mvolved in eachpiece.” Selling is not done through the >Our intention is that the store only, however. Local groups cra ftsman get payed an adequate ui (heshopset up booths according to their country’s at ddferent affairs throughout the eC onomy,”hecontinued. year. The Farm Women Societies yo * mderstand financial operated a booth at the annual sys tem, you’ll know that what they homemakers holiday program make as a wage wouldn’t be nearly Bus year and the Farm Show m wgh as 0 J saJanes ,’> gift shop January always includes a booth. man | ger Betty Rh einheimer added pointing at several hanging baskets. ."You couldn't even buy the materials it would take to make a hanger with the money they get paid for it. And yet to them, it’s very fair. ” In fact, Leatherman admits that sometimes he has advised some craftsmen to raise their prices. His say is the final word on any item. “Most customers come here to buy something as a gift for someone or to decorate their home, so I try to pick items with this in mind. We look at the producer. Who makes it? They must meet our criteria. Ngxt we decide, is it done well enough that people will be willing to buy it? Will people be proud to give it as a gift? I work with the producers to make sure their quality doesn’t drop. ’ ’ Their biggest seller, according to Leatiiennan, is from India. Items made from Shesham wood, a reddish-brown wood, sell for an unbelievable low price. And to prove his point, Leatherman The Sdf-Hefr fafh Shop You want it? They’ve got Jewelry, Chinese and nautical, figurines. ist goes baskets, candlestick holders, pictures, plates, on. And you’re only looking at a shelf about six mugs, brass items, wood boxes, belt buckles, feet long. (Turn to Page B2S) The Self-Help Crafts Gift Shop is the place to shop for the collector in your family. Elephants, bells and decorated towels line the shelves. In addition to these items, the shop l?as a large selection of macrame hangers and baskets. But the best news is - you’ II be pleased with the prices. > Betty Rheinheimer, gift shop manager, places some new items on the shelf. Betty says she loves working here and little wonder why - she is surrounded everyday by beautifully handmade items from all over the world.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers