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Henry County Extension Bazaar

Henry County, Ky., author Nelson
writes with a purpose

In addition to writing, she also does wood crafts

NEW CASTLE, Ky. (November 2017) – Author Suzanne Nelson is a retired teacher who taught elementary for 28 years and Arts and Humanities for eight years. She lives with her husband, Ed, on their farm in Henry County, Ky., where they grew produce and sold it at the local farmer’s market for 16 years. They created the business to provide their two children experience with farming and people skills, plus money for their college educations.

Henry County Extension Bazaar

• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Henry County 4-H Fairgrounds in New Castle, Ky.
• (502) 845-2811

During peak years they sold at 11 farmer’s markets a week. During this time, they hired their children’s friends. It was hard work, but they had a fun atmosphere.
“I always said we sent five kids to college, but only had two,” she said.
They raised eight acres of vegetables with 4,000 to 6,000 tomato plants. At that time their son managed the farm.
“Once he took another job, we no longer worked the farmer’s markets. I loved the market like a little party on the weekend.”
Her children are now grown. One is an elementary school teacher and the other an insurance agent.
Nelson began writing children’s books several years ago. She will be at the 25th annual Henry County Extension Bazaar, set from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Henry County 4-H Fairgrounds in New Castle, Ky.
Writing books was a good way for Nelson to pass the time on long car trips. She was inspired to write her first book, “The Blue Crayon,” after looking at the trash swept up in her classroom.
She has written three other books, “The Eighth Note,” “The Horseshoe” and “Hate.” Each is written from the point of view of the object – crayon, horseshoe, eighth note and the word hate in a sing-song rhyme. The underlying theme of the books is increasing self-esteem, she said. The book “Hate” has an anti-bullying message, from which she developed an anti-bullying program for elementary children.

Photo provided

Suzanne Nelson has written several children’s books – each with a theme to help readers improve their self esteem. She will be at the Henry County Extension Bazaar on Nov. 11.

Another one of her hobbies is wood crafts. “I have loved wood crafts since I was 9 years old when my dad allowed me to work with his power tools in his shop. Recently, my husband told me that we had several tobacco sticks that we were no longer going to need. He explained to me the different types we had and how they were made. I was inspired! I began creating pieces with the sticks.”
Her business name is Nelson Books and Peace of the Past. She plans on adding a line of repurposed jewelry soon.
This year she will have her own booth. Her daughter will help. Both her wood crafts and books will be available at the bazaar.
The bazaar, meanwhile, began with an idea. Joyce Meyer, Extension 4H leader, wanted local artists and crafts people to have a venue to sell their goods. The idea proposed was that the Henry County Extension Office would play host to the event. So it began with approximately 20 booths. Two vendors have participated all 25 years.
Edith Tennill will offer her handmade items again this year. Stop by her booth for children’s books, hot dish carriers, purses, towels and Christmas items. One other vendor has participated all twenty-five years, Town and Country Homemaker Club. The proceeds from their booth benefit needy Henry County children at Christmas.
This year’s bazaar will have 30 booths featuring a wide variety of items available in all price ranges.
Those renting booths include: Debbie Hargrove (hand painted items), Charlie Sevier (plastic canvas, soy candles, paracord bracelets and Christmas items), Janet Herrell (jewelry and leather goods), Morgan Bohannon (soy candles and crafts), Mary Ann Holmes (yarns, crafts, raw fiber, soaps and lotions), Paula Shields (jewelry), Suzanne Nelson (wood decorations, books), Darrell and Pam Moore (stained glass and wood working), Second Wind Dreams (knitted hats and scarves), Shannon Rucker (handmade bath and body and wood art), 4H Means Business (goat milk soap and lotion, notecards and crochet items), Grace Adams (hand and neck heating pads, organizers, coasters, hats and scarves), Lois Stickler (handmade handbags from reclaimed materials), Mary Ann Johnson (homemade soap and jams), Courtney Donner and Saundra Smith (embroidery), Karen and Bruce Nethery (woodworking, turned wood and Christmas décor), Sharon Silvers (paintings, painted furniture and ornaments), Malissa Beatty (paintings, Santa dolls and holiday decorations), Steven Stivers (hand turned wooden bowls, spoons and cutting boards), Karen Shannon (wool felted items and ornaments), Earl Fortner (leather belts, wallets, money clips and knife sheaths), Betty Coen (pumpkin rolls), Jennifer Algier (jewelry), the Rotary Club (country ham raffle), Tennill (handmade crafts, children’s books, hot dish carriers, purses, towels) and the Town and Country Homemakers with their chances on theme baskets for the Family Resource Center Christmas program.
 “We have participants who are members of art guilds, those who are just getting started, and those who have been crafting for years,” said bazaar organizer Maryellen Garrison, who also is the Henry County Cooperative Extension Consumer Agent said. “We also will have some items that are not handmade but are being marketed by small entrepreneurs.”

The youngest vendor, Grace Adams, is 12. She offers hand, neck heating pads, organizers, coasters, hats and scarves.

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