Sallin Tippett, an Alberton High School student and co-owner of Fallin’s Candles & More, has been in business for three years. 

This year, the Parent Teacher Student Association Craft Show may be her only public event of the holiday season, but her work is available year-round thanks to a standing display at NFB Espresso & Flowers in Superior. 

Sallin and her mother, Kassie, launched the venture together as an equal 50–50 partnership. 

“She said, ‘Mom, I can’t do any work. I can’t get a job,’ because of her age,” Kassie recalled. “So, we went through a bunch of options, and this is what we fell into.” 

The business has been growing steadily, and the mother-daughter team is enjoying the journey. 

Sallin has been a familiar face at the Alberton Farmers Market on Thursday evenings for the past couple of years. At the craft show on Saturday morning, her cinnamon-scented candles in ceramic pie-slice containers drew plenty of attention, and she was down to just one remaining coffee-scented candle. Her newer mason-jar candles were also getting enthusiastic interest. 

“But the hot fudge candles are the biggest seller right now,” Sallin said. “In the summer, the Bug-Off candles were really popular because they contain insect repellent.”

When Ron Mason moved to Alberton in 1983, he opened his first woodworking shop. Though mostly self-taught, he brought experience from previous hands-on jobs. 

“I worked in a boat factory. I’ve worked in construction a little bit, but this is mostly learned as you go,” he said with a laugh. 

The Parent Teacher Student Association Craft Show  is the only event he participates in, but his 24x32-foot shop stays busy. Word of mouth has always been his best advertising. 

“I used to make cabinets, but I’m getting too old for that now,” he said. “I still have leftover wood from those projects, but when I need more, I take a trailer to Superior Hardwoods in Missoula or to Helena Hardwoods.”

Nancy Typinski, who now lives in Missoula, returns to the Craft Show every year because she previously lived in Alberton and enjoys reconnecting with friends. A retired schoolteacher, she keeps busy taking classes and learning new skills. 

“I like to learn new things,” she said. “Knitting, crocheting. I’m really into sock monkeys now, and I’m finishing up all of my mom’s unfinished embroidery.” 

At craft shows, Nancy sells both her handmade items and surplus materials. 

“When I have excess material after finishing the project I bought it for, I get rid of it. Or try to,” she said with a smile. “Same thing with my puzzles. My sisters and I trade puzzles, and what do you do when you’re done with them? So, I sell them for $5. If you look, a lot of them haven’t even been opened,” she added, pointing to several still in factory wrap. 

Nancy also has a particular love for wool and a strong knowledge of the varieties and their best uses.

Resa Briscoe has been the driving force behind the annual Alberton Craft Show for roughly 30 years. 

“The excitement continues to grow every year,” Briscoe said. “And it’s so wonderful to see the spirit in this little town keep growing.” 

This year, three new vendors joined the event, filling the hallway outside the Alberton School cafeteria. Her hope is that the event will eventually grow large enough to move into the gymnasium.

Inside the kitchen area, Connie Dove, who works in the school kitchen, displayed her crocheted items on one end of the counter and an array of freshly baked treats on the other. Two festively decorated tables were set up nearby, offering visitors a welcoming place to sit, enjoy goodies, and share conversation.

The event is by word of mouth for vendors to participate each year, but interested parties could call now to reserve their place for 2026. Call (406) 207-9240.

    Sallin Tippett, an Alberton High School student and co-owner of Fallin’s Candles & More, was selling scented candles and has a display in Superior at NFB Espresso & Flowers. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    Laraiah Conrad and Xariah Leduc, both Alberton students and half-sisters, are selling their bracelets to raise money to purchase Christmas gifts for their family. Conrad works at Rivers Edge Restaurant, but LeDuc isn’t old enough for a job so this event gives them time together. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    Ron Mason used to build cabinets but now he just enjoys making useful products from his shop in Alberton and this is the only craft show he participates in. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)