CLINTON — Harley Shue, 7, pitched her wares Sunday at The Clever Kids Craft Expo held at Clinton Elementary School.
“There are bracelets and necklaces, there are key chains and bookmarks, and then we have badge reels, and we have pens over here,” she said, pointing out each craft.
Shue, of Skowhegan, was selling the items she has been creating for the last three weeks with help from her grandmother, Heidi Hayden-Way. Shue named her venture “Harley’s Crafty Creations.”
It was her first time selling items at the fair, which was being held for the second year and hosted by the Clinton Parks and Recreation Association. Hayden-Way said her granddaughter, a second-grader at Bloomfield Elementary School in Skowhegan, is somewhat shy and being at the fair was helping her to learn how to emerge from her shell, interact with people, understand a bit about business and use her creative skills.
“It’s a good craft to do at night and it’s hand-eye coordination,” Hayden-Way said. “It takes her away from the TV; it gets her out of her room.”
Crowds entered the school on Morrison Avenue for the 10 a.m. opening, buying everything from baked goods to painted rocks, artwork and knitted winter caps. The children selling items ranged in age from 5 to 17, and they live in not only Clinton, but other area towns including China, Waterville and Skowhegan.
April Paul, president of the Clinton Parks and Recreation Association, said about 30 children were displaying and selling their creations at 25 tables. She said at most craft fairs people must rent space or pay a fee, but everything was free Sunday and the kids got to keep the money they earned.
“Last year was our first year that we did it and it was just a big success, and this year, we have about the same number of kids,” Paul said.
At Reese’s Clay Creations a few tables away, Reese Turner, 9, and her mother, Danielle Turner, of Norridgewock, were greeting customers and selling Reese’s earrings, magnets, little bowls and other items.
“I’ve sold four things — earrings,” said Reese Turner, who is home-schooled.
Sara Wing of Waterville was helping her daughters, Amy and Makenzie Burton-Wing, 8 and 10, respectively, sell their multicolored bracelets, key chains and other items to earn money to go on a museum tour of Portland. They said they also plan to sell their creations at the upcoming Alfond Youth & Community Center and Recycled Shakespeare Co. fairs. Amy attends George J. Mitchell School and Makenzie attends Albert S. Hall School, both in Waterville.
Sara Wing said her daughters were learning all sorts of skills at the expo, which they were taking part in for the second year.
“We’ve been keeping track this year of what we’re selling, and prices,” she said. “So, we’re keeping track of the financial part of it, and inventory.”
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