Pasadena’s 4th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar Provides Outlet for Vendors to Network

Pasadena’s 4th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar saw a steady flow of traffic on Wednesday, as shoppers passed through the Rotunda at City Hall to browse items with several vendors who had set up tables. Proceeds from the event will go to support programs at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, according to Linda Offray, the event organizer.

Many local businesses set up shop to display their wares, including Rhythms of the Village, Laga Designs International, Inc., and Kaban Azul. Seniors from the Jackie Robinson Community Center also set up shop to display homemade items.

“It’s arts and crafts and it’s a chance to give people a chance to display their talent as well as sort of a jump start to the holiday shopping,” said Offray. The bazaar was also about more than just shopping, she said. “It’s a great opportunity to network, as well as get to know and meet a lot of wonderful people.”

“It was fun, it was a beautiful day and we met beautiful new friends,” said Janel Meza, owner of She. “How do you measure success? I measure it by the friends that I made and people that we meet.”

Meza said she planned to donate whatever money she made at the bazaar to a good cause. “We help women in shelters, so whatever we sell, the proceeds go to help women’s shelters and wherever there’s a family in need. That’s why we’re here,” she said. “We’re just a group that loves to create beautiful things and give back to people who are in need.”

“It was okay, I met some nice people,” said Allen Edson of Halal Traders International. “It was the first time I’ve gone to an event like this.”

Edson said he believed he brought the wrong items to the bazaar, because his wallets and purses had not been as popular as expected. “It’s not too bad, there was enough traffic here, you just gotta find the right products. I do these weave baskets too, and so weave baskets did best.”

He said he would come again next year, despite only breaking even at the event. “It’s a nice atmosphere, it’s very low pressure,” he said. “I probably would come back. I’m kinda new to the area, so I’m getting acclimated to how things go.” Edson said he had met several new acquaintances at the bazaar, as well as reconnected with old friends, which he saw as well worth it.

Roberta Barry was running a table for both her business, R Sew Cute, and her friend Charlotte Magee-Pierre’s business, CharMel Handcrafted Jewelry Designs. “Today went fine, the weather was great,” said Barry. “A number of people came through, I was able to give out cards for networking, and also sold product, so it was good.”

Barry said her business was local and that she was usually at a craft marketplace in San Pedro. “We’re permanently at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles, so we were able to tell people where we are permanently if they ever want to drop by,” she said. “And then I had some people who had actually been there, and they said that when they are in the area again, they would stop by.”

Overall, the vendors were satisfied with the event turnout, and several said they would be willing to participate the following year.