More than 100 local kids are spending their vacation days making craft items to sell at two Children’s Craft Fairs hosted by Bellingham Public Library this summer. The community is invited to support these young entrepreneurs by attending the festive events on Friday, July 28, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm outside the Central Library in Lee Memorial Park (Library lawn), and on Friday, Aug. 11, 5:00 to 7:00 pm inside Bellis Fair Mall (along the interior walkways from the Bellis Fair Library Branch to the Food Court). Bring small bills. All items will be priced at $5 or less, and all sales will be cash only.
“We welcome everyone to come and see all of the amazing and creative things kids worked so hard on making all summer long. Each year, kids surprise us with new, exciting things, from cat toys to jewelry to bird houses, baked goods, and more,” explains Bernice Chang, Children’s Services Librarian.
“It’s a great learning experience. Children really take pride in their products, from planning out what to make, to creating each item, and figuring out how to display their items at the craft fair to attract customers. The kids also make the hard decision of what to price each item. They are learning entrepreneur skills, and since this is a cash only event, they’re also learning a lot about money – giving change, money spent on products and money earned,” said Chang.
Two of these entrepreneurs are Damian Carrillo Koller and Gabriel Carrillo Koller, ages 10 and 8. They are spending their days sewing bookmarks, creating paintings, and sculpting clay decorations for potted plants.
“They love creating arts and crafts and going to the library so when they heard they could sell crafts at the Library’s Children’s Craft Fair, it was an opportunity they were excited about,” said Damian and Gabriel’s mom Monica Koller.
“The Craft Fair is a beautiful space for children to feel proud of their creations and get to interact with one another. I also believe they can get an idea of what it feels like to run a booth at a market and may help them feel more engaged and connected with vendors at places like Farmers Markets and the Bellingham International Market. They can understand the value of making something and sharing it locally,” Monica Koller explained.
Although Bellingham Public Library has offered the Children’s Craft Fair outside the Central Library for many years, the addition of a second Craft Fair at Bellis Fair Mall is new this year.
“We are excited to welcome kids, their families and the whole community to the Mall to support them on the evening of Aug. 11. This is a great example of our commitment to partner with the community,” said David Prince, Assistant Property Manager at Bellis Fair Mall.
For more information about Bellingham Public Library and this summer’s Children’s Craft Fairs see BellinghamPublicLibrary.org.
Photos: Damian and Gabriel Carrillo Koller creating bookmarks to sell at Bellingham Public Library’s 2023 Children’s Craft Fair. Courtesy of Monica Koller.
Media Contact: Annette Bagley, Bellingham Public Library, 360-778-7206, ambagley@cob.org