Publication: ph18042012

WOOLLEN WONDERS: Shannon Keys and Emily Keys, 6, model some of their popular crochet hats for sale at the Made in Petone craft fair.

Sunshine, sizzling sausages and local crafts tempted many to head to Sacred Heart Primary School for the year’s first Made in Petone craft market. 

More than 20 stalls filled the Sacred Heart Parish Hall recently offering local wares from jewellery and clothing to decadent cupcakes.

The school fundraiser boasted 11 new stallholders with stalls spilling outside the front of the hall for the first time. 

Organiser Karen Arraj-Fisher says the market is a great chance to showcase Petone’s creative artists and craftspeople. 

After a slow start, Ms Arraj-Fisher says things soon picked up, with plenty of eager shoppers coming through the doors in the afternoon. 

First-time stallholder Shannon Keys created a buzz with her mum’s hand-made crochet hats. 

Ms Keys says she encouraged her mother, Lorraine Morahan, to get knitting as a way of keeping her brain active after she suffered a brain aneurism.

The hats were a knock-out at last month’s Petone Fair and sold out so Ms Morahan has been busy with her crochet hooks ever since. 

Ms Arraj-Fisher says Hutt mayor Ray Wallace and his wife Linda stopped by to search for local bargains. 

The last-minute cancellation of advertised children’s entertainment did little to dampen market-goer’s spirits.

Despite a few hiccups Ms Arraj-Fisher says the day was a success. 

“We made a really good fundraising effort and the Sacred Heart Primary School is always really happy with the amount we raise each time.”

The $1500 raised will go towards a new computer system. 

Ms Arraj-Fisher says preparations for the next market are already well under way.

“The market is always changing with different stallholders and activities. 

“It all comes to be really different.”

Petone locals can look forward to some innovative advertising ahead of July’s market, she says. 

“Watch this space. I’m quite excited.”