Adriana Cantu a favorite at Holiday Crafts Expo

As long as we have had the Holiday Crafts and Small Business Expo, Adriana Cantu has been at the heart of it. As a district parent educator for PSJA school district, Adriana uses her flair for decorating and art on the job. She has an amazing talent for arts and crafts. I have several items she made in my office that I display year-round because they are so beautiful.

Adriana has become a favorite of the Holiday Crafts and Small Business Expo. Last year she showed guests how to wrap a gift basket and make a cornucopia out of newspaper. This year, she will demonstrate how to decorate a gift box, and how to make a Christmas tree centerpiece.

You can see Adriana work her artistic magic at the Holiday Crafts and Small Business Expo from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 6, at the Salinas Memorial Civic Center in Pharr.

Admission is free. The civic center is on 1011 W. Kelly between South Cage and South Jackson Road.

In addition to Adriana, there will be dozens of vendors who will offer beautiful and clever handmade arts and crafts. Bring your Christmas shopping list and your own wish list. Door prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes.

Castillo of Edinburg will sell her exquisite angel pins and eyeglass holders and tinsel Christmas trees decorated with tiny electric Christmas lights. Talented seamstress Bernley Veilleux of Alamo will sell beautiful teddy bears she makes out of recycled mink and lamb coats as well as holiday decorations and dolls.

Parent volunteers from local schools are welcome. Bring a few or a busload. Volunteers will be inspired to make crafts for their school and home.   

The Holiday Expo is a joint effort of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the University of Texas-Pan American Small Business Development Center, and the city of Pharr.

The Holiday Expo is different from other craft shows because of its educational component. Vendors will have free demonstrations at their booths. There will also be demonstrations on stage.

The University of Texas Pan-American Small Business Development Center will offer free workshops for those interested in starting their own business. “Como iniciar un negocio” will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and “Basics in Business” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Agencies will also be on hand to offer information for those who need financing or further training  

Nora N. Garza is a County Extension Agent with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Hidalgo County, a part of the Texas A&M System. She can be reached at 383-1026 or n-garza@tamu.edu.