Fulton County Ohio Media

The Swanton Sports Center is hosting a craft show on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with proceeds being donated to the fund-raising efforts for the new Swanton High School (SHS) Baseball/Softball Sports Complex to be located on the north side of the school’s campus.  The idea for this event is the brain-child of local craft artist, and one very busy lady, Renee Tufts.  Renee, who also works full time for Marco’s Pizza Distribution Center in Maumee and part-time as a cook for the Swanton Sports Center, has lived in Swanton for the past 15 years with her husband Kevin and daughter Tille (SHS ’22) and son Benjamin (SHS ’25).

She has been “crafting” for approximately 20 years, participating in many shows and decided to organize her own show for the benefit of Swanton Schools.  “I’m a non-profit girl at heart so, ’Who do I donate this to?’ My daughter played sports and my son is playing sports.  Being baseball and softball season, that was my first thought.  It was definitely a no-brainer that it needed to go back into the school system,” said Renee.

Ms. Tufts began her crafting career by sewing 1960’s and 1970’s vintage clothing items such as bell-bottom pants as well as doing a lot of patchwork art on purses and hand bags.  About six years ago she started working with an unusual and interesting type of material when she received a bowl made from a vinyl record.  “I repurpose old damaged vinyl records (33RPM and 45RPM) into everyday useful household items,” explained Renee.  “It’s everything functional, from drink coasters to coat racks and mail organizers.”

At this writing, there are 26 vendors that have signed on to be part of the show, guaranteed to bring a wide variety of crafts and artwork.  “There are so many different ideas out there and people’s passion flows right into their product.  It’s beautiful, it’s absolutely art in every form,” said Renee.

Also stepping up to the plate to help this event contribute to the cause and give the SHS baseball and softball players a much-needed updated sports venue, is the Swanton Sports Center, who is donating the hall and the Bulldog football team.  Renee’s husband is an assistant coach with the team and her son will be a junior for the Bulldogs this fall.  The players will be helping with the set-up and tear-down for the show.

In addition to all the wonderful crafts that will be on display, there will be a 50/50 Raffle and a Raffle Table.  For those who work up an appetite while perusing the tables full of craft items, there will be two food trucks. Cruising Cuisine, offering stir-fry, rice bowls, burgers and brats and Wanna Make ‘Er Loaded with wraps and salads.