Globes upcycled into lights are part of the wares Tammy Choughenour offers through her business REDEMPTION 2 beautiful. She and other craftspeople will be part of the upcoming Joy to the World Christmas Market benefiting World Renewal.
GREENFIELD — Nikki Schreiner learned how to make the bracelets as a child at a Christian camp. Pulling strands of embroidery floss together with a series of knots, she’d fashion a colorful bracelet.
Years later, she worked as a camp counselor there and, during bits of down time, tried to finish one for each girl in her cabin. There could be as many as eight girls during a week of camp, and often one of them would be looking over Schreiner’s shoulder, wondering if her bracelet was finished yet. Even after she was no longer working at the camp, she kept making bracelets.
She’ll be selling them Dec. 9-10 at a Christmas market that will raise money for World Renewal, a missions organization with headquarters east of Greenfield and a presence in more than a dozen countries. More than 20 artisans, baristas and others will sell art, furniture, baked goods, home decor, floral arrangements, Christmas ornaments and more.
They’ll set up shop at the former Fiano Landscaping headquarters at 1990 N. Meridian Road. The Fianos are not charging them booth rental, and so many are donating products for an onsite basket raffle and an online auction to benefit World Renewal programs. More than a dozen area businesses have contributed merchandise, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has signed a jersey.
Val Bryant has honed a few more cookie recipes for her Second Story Treats booth. She will debut her version of white chocolate macadamia nut at the market, along with carmelita bars. The latter is “chocolatey and caramelly ooey-gooey yumminess,” she said. “It’s the perfect balance between sweet and salty.”
Leading up to the event, she’ll be balancing the timing of various batters, pulling a tin of fresh pumpkin muffins out of the oven only to slide in a sheet of cookies.
Photography will also be available at the event, with a seasonal backdrop depicting a white fireplace and frosted firs. Individuals or groups wanting their photos taken at the event can choose from one of three digital packages starting at $25.
One of the artisans whose work is featured has a special connection to World Renewal’s ministry. Lucner, a young man in Haiti, learned how to make metal art from his boss. Lucner’s work includes Nativity sets, Christmas ornaments, and wall art featuring Bible verses or sayings.
Funds raised by the Christmas market will be used for “support of women and their children who are at risk,” World Renewal founder and president Gary Wright wrote in an email. “We are dividing it among several countries with that need.” He said these programs are mostly in Africa and Asia but did not publicly specify countries because persecution is high in some locations.
Several other World Renewal programs, ones the ministry speaks more publicly about, also help women and children. In Brazil, for example, 35 children in one village receive music classes, English classes and tutoring after school when they might otherwise be on their own. Elsewhere, widows have received sewing training and been given sewing machines so they can earn an income for themselves and their children.
Bryant said, having volunteered and donated to World Renewal in the past, she feels an added motivation to participate in the Christmas Market.
“I just believe in World Renewal,” she said. “I’ve seen so many lives that they’ve helped and changed. I figure it’s a great place to volunteer and donate to.”
If you go
What: Joy to the World Christmas Market
When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: 1990 N. Meridian Road, Greenfield
Why: Funds raised from the event will help vulnerable women and children through World Renewal
Featuring: More than 20 artisans, including metal art, paintings, jewelry, friendship bracelets, Christmas ornaments, coffees, baked goods, floral arrangements, poured acrylics, upcycled furniture and furnishings, onsite photography, keychains, T-shirts, aprons, sourdough bread, stained glass, soap, stoneware pottery and more. More details and photos can found on the event’s Facebook page. The link for the online auction can also be found there early next week.
