Writer: Rod Santa Ana, 956-878-8317, r-santaana@tamu.edu
Contact: Joanne Ureste, 956-383-1026, joanne.ureste@ag.tamu.edu
EDINBURG — Holiday shoppers on a budget should include a stop at the second annual Master Clothing Volunteers Arts and Crafts Sale and Workshop from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Edinburg, organizers said.
“This is an excellent opportunity to buy handmade Christmas decorations at very reasonable prices or learn how to make your own and save even more money,” said Joanne Ureste, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service family resources agent for Hidalgo County.
The sale and workshop will be held at the AgriLife Extension office for Hidalgo County at 410 N. 13th Ave., just north of the courthouse in Edinburg.
“The first 100 visitors will receive a free handmade tote, and we’ll have door prizes and workshops on making holiday decorations throughout the day,” Ureste said.
Arts and crafts on sale will include Christmas stockings, wreaths and table runners, as well as jewelry, scarves and ladies’ bags, she said. All items are handmade and range in price from $2 to $50. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of items needed to conduct the Master Clothing Volunteer Program.
“This program is designed to develop leadership and teaching skills among community members using textile techniques and garment construction, heritage sewing and home décor,” Ureste said. “Trained volunteers work in the their communities to assist youth, families and community groups in learning how to buy, construct and care for garments and textile items for the home and the individual.”
Ureste said in the 2016 program year, 103 people from the community were served by the Master Clothing Volunteers at the AgriLife Extension office in Edinburg and another 200 were taught out in the community.
“Our volunteers are very active in the community,” she said. “They strongly believe in giving back to the community. They don’t only teach classes; they also donate garments to those in need, including adult bibs for the elderly in nursing homes.”
Classes include instruction in sewing that helps individuals become entrepreneurs.
“We have a lot of people in our area who sometimes have trouble making ends meet. Learning to sew and alter clothes helps provide an extra source of income to help their families. The Master Clothing Volunteer program helps residents create income and become self-sufficient.”
At the arts and crafts sale event, workshops where participants can learn how to create an item will last for 30 minutes.
“Some of the workshops require the purchase of a kit for less than $5,” Ureste said. “They create the item in the class and can take it home with them. These workshops are for people of all ages and lots of fun, so we encourage people to make a holiday outing of it by bringing friends, family members, kids, teens, parents and even grandparents. It’s a fun way to spend time together and create beautiful pieces of art for the home or for sale.”
Other workshops will provide instruction to create a gift box using a greeting card, ornaments of Santa, crosses and Rudolf, door knob decorations and an owl ornament, among others.
“Because last year’s event was so successful and we had so many people enjoying themselves buying handmade items and attending workshops, volunteers spent a lot of time this year preparing for this event, which we know will be even better attended than last year’s. And it’s all indoors, so we don’t have to worry about the weather,” Ureste said.
For more information about the sale and workshop or about the Master Clothing Volunteer program, contact Ureste at 956-383-1026 or joanne.ureste@ag.tamu.edu .